Nov 26
by Francesco Santini in Preparation, Working 0 comments

Juniperus Chinensis var. Itoigawa

The juniper in this article is a Juniperus Chinensis var. Itoigawa which I saw for the first time in 2003 in my friend Roberto Raspanti’s garden. After a few years in the collection of another dear friend, Marcelo Michelotti (who did the first shaping), it made its way into my garden in 2007. The vegetation of Itoigawa is distinguished by its bright green colour and small, strong scales. It is a variety that can provide a definition and detail of the pads other varieties cannot.   In 2008, after a year of preparation, the first shaping took place. In particular, a large part of the vegetation on the right side was eliminated, thus obtaining two results: the freeing of some trunk movements that were hidden and the formation of a bonsai with a leftward movement. From a balanced foliage we pass to a foliage that is clearly shifted to the left side, The first branch is pushed further towards the front using a metal rod. Before working After working Back, right and left side respectively The bark of the juniper is normally cleaned with brushes in order to highlight the red/orange colour of the living parts in clear contrast to […]
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Nov 15
by Francesco Santini in Working 0 comments

BONSAI NIGHT VII – 2017 August 5th

This year as well we could not miss the traditional meeting at the BONSAI NIGHT…. from sunset until sunrise we met in my workshop to work our trees, have fun and have a meal together. From 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. doing what we like to do. The recipe is always the same….the most simple: good friends, bonsai, and the desire to share our passion in joy…. in the silence of the night! A heartfelt thanks to all the friends who participated!
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Nov 15
by Francesco Santini in Working 0 comments

Juniperus Chinensis

This Juniperus Chinensis, courtesy of Franchi Bonsai, arrived in Italy in the beginning of year 2011. Before proceeding to do anything I prefer to let the bonsai vegetate freely for the whole season. In September of the same year, after an abundant growth, the plant is vigorous and very dense. It ‘s time for a work that restores the beauty of this bonsai. Here is how the bonsai looks like in September 2011 before working on it: Front/Back   Left Side/Right Side   The wood is cleaned and restored highlighting the movements, the patina….le “wrinkles”.   The vegetation has now filled every space and the foliage is shapeless and too thick. The first branch looks like a huge pad without the slightest space that shows the structure or details. We need to make more space!   The first thing to do is to clean up the vegetation. This allows us to study the structure of the tree and select the strongest and most vigorous vegetation. But we must go on with cleaning: this gives the chance to make all the apex replacements necessary to restore movement and taper to the wood of the branches. A bonsai so mature, very often, […]
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Nov 15
by Francesco Santini in Working 0 comments

Juniperus Chinensis Var.Itoigawa

This Juniperus was imported by FRANCHI BONSAI in 2013. The bonsai was in excellent health condition but with an obvious lack of maintenance. The vegetation was abundant and the growth of recent years had closed any spacing between the pads. Front – Back     Left side – Right side      The thick vegetation, not allowing light and air to penetrate inside the foliage, had caused the drying up of the innermost branches. In these cases the first thing to do is the cleaning of the vegetation: elimination of dry and weak branches, replacement of apex, elimination of unnecessary twigs.   The detail of Takiagari highlights the living and the twisting dry veins. In addition to the vegetation, the bark and dry wood must also be cleaned. Here is the juniper after the vegetation has been cleaned.   I decide to proceed with the working of this bonsai during a demonstration at the “BONSAI & FRIENDS” in 2013. For the event I can count on the precious help of two dear friends: Michele Pacini and Giacomo Bellini.   The branches to be wired are many and the work focuses mainly on the reopening, alternation and definition of each branch. […]
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Apr 15
by admin in Working 0 comments

PHOENICIAN JUNIPER – JUNIPERUS PHOENICIA

This Phoenician juniper became part of my collection in June this year, after a dear friend decided to part with it. Not having a juniper of this variety and being a plant in an advanced state of cultivation I couldn’t resist the possibility of having it in my garden. In fact the plant is very interesting with abundant areas of dead wood and veins starting to swell. The natural movements and those created with the folds make it very interesting and dynamic. Over the years an intense work has been done to contain the vegetation that can only be done with continuous pinching. Here is the Phoenician before the works::   Front / back   Right/Left side   Some details:     After assessing the perfect state of health, it’s time to work on it. In this long work I will always have the precious help of Andrea, a very dear friend of mine. The first thing we do is a careful cleaning of the bark and vegetation. It is thus highlighted the beautiful colour of juniper in addition to all the movements often hidden by a bark too thick. I do not deny that I was very fascinated by […]
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