Shhhh, you ain’t seen me, right?

Following a chance conversation with one of my customers it emerged that her husband Shows and cultivates his own Alpine plants. The subject of Bonsai Accent plantings came up and I was kindly invited to see where the magic happens at their home not too far from where I live. Although my friend is still seen as a novice on the local Show circuit some of his tiny little plants took my breath away.

During our discussion about what and where I’m hoping to go with my SUTEKI! Accents business the subject of plant size and availability was raised. At this point I was gifted some very small Saxifraga seedlings that were a perfect size for some of my smaller pots. I planted one of them up and including the pot is smaller than a matchbox in height, a real stunner.

I’m now hoping to introduce some of my new found “additions” to my portfolio at CKB in May but here are a few pictures to tease you with in the meantime - Enjoy!

The time is nearly upon us!

Let's talk about Pots.

I spent an enjoyable evening last night as a guest of Middlesex Bonsai Society discussing tree and pot combinations. It was my first visit to their friendly Club and was made instantly made to feel welcome. We discussed the basics of selecting the correct pot to enhance the beauty of your Bonsai with the aid of a presentation I put together. Opinions and banter was rife but a fun evening and informative was had by all (well I hope so!). I hope that I helped to demystify the “dark art” of tree & pot combos and look forward to seeing their trees in Show at a later date.

Thanks again to the Middlesex Club for kindly inviting me to talk to them and I hope to see some of the members again at the Celebrating Kent Bonsai Show that I’m organising in May this year.

Blown Away at the BSA

As is the norm these days in March it was my trip up to Willowbog for the British Shohin Association’s Show and one I won’t forget in a hurry.  Along with myself was Andy Pearson & Les Storey making the not too insignificant journey to Warrrrrrk (as the locals like to pronounce it) in Northumberland.  Fantastic trees and a warm and friendly atmosphere make this one of the best events in the UK – and probably the most isolated!

Saturday dawned fresh but bright and for me and Andy it got even better when we entered the Exhibition as we found no less than 10 Stone Monkey pots in use along with 9 Suteki Accents or Accent pots.  For me making, and being able to sell on, my pots is a real buzz but to see them being used for the reason that they have been created was exhilarating.  Added to that to have 4 of them published by Bonsai Eejit (a talented artist form Northern Ireland and prolific Blogger) as “fantastic” did bring a tear to this frogs eye.

Saturday sales and banter drifted into the evening meal and for me at least another Tale from the Unexpected as I, well not me exactly but my tree, managed to pick up my first ever award at a BSA Show.  Although not a top prize to win a Certificate of Merit (for trees of a European Origin) against stiff competition was unbelievable as Andy’s photo below might show!  Congratulations must also go to the other MBS winner on the night my good friend Les.  Although not in the best of health he still managed to keep his spirits up and give Andy & I merry hell over the 3 days – well done mate for you 2 awards!

Here’s me and my tree on the Sunday after Fiona (and her monkey Wee Jinky) bullied me into having my picture taken with my tree although I think it was more another chance to rib me about my 70’s throwback purple velvet coat!

Spring is here!

As the weather has improved my trees and plants have been busy, Enjoy..............