Re opening soon

With restrictions looking at easing, Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en is looking at re opening soon under strict conditions, stay tuned

Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en Closes premises to public

It is my deepest regret to close Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en's premises to the public. I will be ramping up my efforts to have trees available on my website https://www.heritagebonsaitasmaniashofu-en.com . Delivery can be organised at cost.

Any follow up education or tree services will be available in the future once the government lifts bands due to corona virus. All payments, bank transfer. So check the website for any specials available soon 😉

Redevelopment of an old pine

This Radiata pine was dug by me around 24 years back. Then crudely development into a bonsai over a short period, and sold at Gowans auction around 15 years ago. One of my students was the lucky recipient at the auction (Well before I knew him) . He brought it along to a BSST club workshop around a year ago, and after recognizing it, we came to a agreement for its return to Daddy! Now I'm redeveloping this very old friend of mine and will permanently remain in my collection. It needs another 2 growing seasons before it starts to look like what I want .

As it stands after today’s work

Future projection of tree development

After it was brought back to Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en, the health of the tree was the up most importance. It was repotted into a expensive quality Japanese bonsai pot and then fed heavily to regain vigor . This shows the tree before I removed the top 1/3 of the tree.

This is the earliest picture of the pine, around 19 years ago . At this stage it’s trunk had been wired and the first “S" bends were set.

Details of jin progressing into a shari.

Student work program suspended for April

After the extreme increase in COVID-19, I am canceling student study program and extra curriculum activities for April. I'm praying that being in Tasmania and being cut off from the mainland, the virus will be bought under control quickly? If so and the new cases of corona decreases in the state, I will reassess. I apologise that I have taken this step but we all have to do our bit to stop the virus, please forgive me. This is NOT the end of the program, just a pause.

Covid-19 and how it affects Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en.

With the global pandemic of corona virus we must ensure social distancing is adhered under government recommendation.

Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en is still OPEN for business by appointment, but only one customer at a time. If by any chance you plan to come up but feel unwell, I urge you to cancel your appointment and reschedule at a later date.

Only if we are all responsible will this virus be defeated.

Hand sanitizer will be available at the nursery and only Eftpos and bank transfer will be available during this period.

All activities such as follow up education and bonsai maintenance will be available as normal.

The study work program will go ahead as planned as well .

Chris, Koula and the crew at Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en look to seeing you soon.

Take care and be smart and safe during this crazy time.

Autumn in full swing at Heritage bonsai Tasmania Shofu-en, book an appointment to come see this incredible display of colours, but be quick, the leaves don’t last long.

Covid-19 please be safe every one

Redevelopment of a trident maple

4 years back I made a conscious decision to improve one of my favorite tridents. It was a nice bonsai already but I felt the pot it was in was too deep and was overpowering the trunk. To improve this I had to airlayer the tree off the old roots to create a new shallow root system. This would allow me to plant the tree into a much shallower pot. Below are the results.

The tree now in March 2020.

The tree before, the pot having to be deeper to accommodate a large root system.

BONSAI OPEN DAY

If your heading to the Kempton Festival on the 16th February, feel free to come around and see the bonsai garden without having to make a appointment. Browse our bonsai sales area and check out the bonsai shop.

Open from 8am to 4pm

Eftpos available

Free coffee and tea and activities for children.

Podocarpus lawrencei

Podocarpus lawrencei, this tree is native to the high country of Australia including Tasmania. Also known as mountain plum pine. It has very delicate foliage but is very flexible and grows quite slow. Wire may have to stay on for longer than two years before branches set. I highly recommend this variety of tree for bonsai.

A new start

Melaleuca ericifolia, this tree has had an interesting past and a new future.

Originally it received the 2016 BCI award at the AABC convention in Hobart , then on a trip to Japan, the upper part of the tree started weakening and eventually half died. I think due to cold Dysart winters or under watering.

Regardless the lower part of the tree has made a full recovery and today started it's journey as a new bonsai.

This variety is extremely brittle and hates being repotted, so approach with caution.

The large jin is not finished and will be refined in winter along with the shari on the trunk.

Before

The tree in it’s former glory. This little back branch is now the tree

First international student

A great day today with Ben from Italy.

A private workshop to help Ben quench his first for bonsai while on holidays in Australia.

Great work on this 40 year old chamaecyparis pisifera #bonsai. It was more refinement rather than restying, with lots of wiring and pruning.