An earlier used Shohin display with formal tree as main tree. Lonicera nitida.

I enjoy doing these spring time exhibitions, although being much more difficult to plan than a winter display. A week with different temperatures can change a tree from being in perfect shape and flowering to be doll and not ready at this place. So the few misplaced pictures from the garden just to share the joy of the springtime here.

My workshop studio.

The exhibition hopefully will turn out good, although I see some bigger issues for the society regarding the structure under pressure from clubs, but I will not tire you with this, despite that it may turn out badly for our community. Unfortunately egos seems bigger than the commitment for the integrity. But I hope for the future of the association and bonsai development that we can manage some common sense.

Back to preparations. When setting up a Shohin display it is important to be creative and try different positions with trees. There are some basic guidelines to be aware of though. The main thing is the main tree, always placed at the highest level at a rack that correspond with the binary tree placed outside the rack (when using a rack with several trees). The main tree can be a conifer or a deciduous tree. In Japan conifers are most times the favourite (Japanese Black Pines especially), but this is not a rule, just a tradition. Deciduous trees are fully valid choices, as long as they persist the characteristics wanted by the main tree. The main tree has to be a solid and sturdy looking tree. It must have the characteristics of an old, steady and formal tree. It does not have to be a conifer (as misunderstood by many including my self for years), but can easily be a deciduous tree. As long as it shows strength, which rules out flowering or fruit bearing trees, which are considered feminine and therefore weaker (I apologize to female readers of the blog, but this is how trees are read).

Test set up with a Juniper at the top. But this is not the final display, because the Juniper has feminine feeling and not showing more formal, simple and strong expression as wanted from the top tree to some degree.

So the picture shown here with a conifer at the top, is actually the wrong way to set up the display. Why? Because the tree does not show strength in the sense we want it in the Shohin display, despite being a conifer. The movement and trunk lines are more feminine, so it will fit better at a lover level at the display. Instead I will  choose another of the trees shown, but guess what? You will have to wait another week and see the final display I set up for the exhibition. So until next week… and episode three…. telling more about setting up a Shohin display. Until next week then

Below a series of tests with different tables i.e. to see how things works the best.

Berberis thunbergii, Mame-bonsai. Pot by Elsebeth Ludvigsen, Denmark.

The Berberis shown here are ready to be part of a Mame-bonsai display, but the Potentilla still shows no sign of flowers which should be expected by now. I have another Potentilla with flower buds ready to open, so if the one shown here do not get into the mood soon, I have a replacement ready. So it is with spring exhibition. Only a few days and different weather can change which trees that are selected. In contradiction to winter displays where it is possible to select trees weeks or months ahead because nothing changes from late autumn to spring. Therefore it is much easier to plan winter displays than trees selected in the growing season, where trees change from flowering to non-flowering within a few days (and vice versa). Evergreens being a bit more predictable, but still needs attention because new flush of growth will happen from time to time, also being weather dependent.

The garden also begins to show it self from the best side, so spring is – as I state every year – my favourite time of the year.

Potentilla fruticosa.

Chinese Juniper, Shohin.

Torben Pedersen at work.

Preparation for exhibition and spring work was carried out in our small workshop today. Good weather (not extremely warm, but some sun in between) made it a pleasant day. Some shohin made prepared for exhibition two weeks ahead in the Danish Bonsai Society, and some regular work with larger trees as well.

The weather seems more stabilised now, and despite cold winds in between the trees seems to grow very well.  A good concentrated day of work and trees ready for exhibition within two weeks.

Torben Pedersen collection of Shohin.

Torben Pedersen collection of Shohin.

Morten Albek preparing Lonicera nitida, Shohin.

Morten Albek, shohin Ulmus, Chinese Crk Bark Elm.

Johnny Eslykke trimming Chinese Juniper.

At work in the garden of Torben Pedersen.

Torben Pedersen.

Wiring Chinese Juniper, Johnny Eslykke.

Morten Albek, Needle Juniper.

Johnny Eslykke.

Bonsai in the garden of Torben Pedersen.

Torben Pedersen.

Finally the weather have behaved and spring signs are present. So today was the time to bring out the bonsai from their shelter. It is always a good feeling to see trees and accents placed on the benches again facing a new growing season.

Almost no repotting this year, so cleaning pots and making small adjustments of top soil i.e. made the preparations less time consuming than normal.

Monday we had another of our group meetings in Fuchi Bonsai www.fuchi-bonsai.com

It is a very small group with my two friends Torben Pedersen and Johnny Eslykke. We meet every month for joy and bonsai workshop. We also arrange some masterclasses and exhibitions. This was just another day at the office though. Spring work with spring maybe there finally? The spring has been very cold and delays everything, but sunny weather and maybe higher temperatures by the end of the week looks like bonsai can finally grow again.

Spring comes – year after year, and it is the same joy I experience, again and again. The excitement of new growth and the worry about trees suffering from yet another cold winter. This not as bad as the two second ones, but still enough to be concerned about the health of the small shohin and mame-bonsai.  All my tree are stored in the unheated green house. A small window from the heating room lets in a bit of warm air, keeping the temperatures slightly higher benefiting the trees during especially the cold January and February.

Now its time to prepare repotting, but only a few trees needs it this year. Only if the pots are filled with roots and watering is difficult at established trees, it is necessary to repot. I check the bottom of the pots, and if the drainage holes are blocked by dense roots it is time to repot. If not, established trees are better of by waiting another season, leaving a undisturbed root system supporting the tree and branches fully.

Unfortunately a late remaining of winter hits the area this next week, so I hold back repotting until its over, and then the bonsai are hopefully ready to be put back on the benches in open air again and a new season can begin.

Winter hit the country again this year. Bonsai are safely placed in the greenhouse, but this year much later than normal due to a very mild November. Now is just to relax and wait for spring

The first really cold nights arrived this week, but weather turning milder and slightly warmer again. But cold nights produces wonderful hoar frosts on leaves. Please enjoy a few shots from an early morning.