Matt's Bonsai Blog

Bonsai Pots

Bonsai Pots Bonsai pots are another art form in their own right. A beautifully designed pot matched to the bonsai can be the point of difference that allows a magnificent bonsai shine to its full potential. The relationship between bonsai and pot should be subtle. Both should add to each other without distracting from the…
The Grub

Over the summer period I do not spray for insects because midsummer temperatures and insecticides can kill bonsai. This year I have taken particular attention to what happens over this period and I have found something chewing on my leaves, particularly overnight. Today I found the culprit. A micro caterpillar approximately 3mm long. A tiny…
Natures Child book launch

I recently went to the book launch of ‘Natures Child: A Life Within Two Cultures’. This is the story of my bonsai teachers (Megumi Bennett) life written by Marry Ann Napper. There was about 250 people at the book launch. I met with quite a few old bonsai friends that were very nice to catch…
Bonsai photos

I managed to get some time in the studio today. These are some of my tress. I’m really happy with the growth and progress I have achieved over the last twelve months. I put this down to better watering, feeding and pest management. More to come on this soon. Cheers Matt
Thread grafting a Japanese Maple

I’ve had this little Japanese Maple for 14 years. The main area I have struggled with is lower back branches. Mainly because there are none. So this year I took the step of thread grafting a lower back branch. The steps are pretty simple. Read about it here
Mealy Bug infestation under bonsai cut paste

So this is interesting. Today I was trimming off excess buds on a fig that I completely defoliated a few weeks ago. I pealed back an area of cut paste to reveal a nest of mealy bugs. So I took the paste off another area and another nest, and so on and so forth until…