Bonsai Inspirations 2 - 2nd Ed - Final
The PDF is the second edition of Harry Harrington’s Bonsai Inspirations and serves as a comprehensive, illustrated guide to advanced bonsai techniques, with a focus on the styling of a Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’ specimen. It documents a multi‑stage transformation process that includes cleaning and lowering surface roots, splitting and repositioning back‑branches, carving and bending a trunk elbow, arranging a layered foliage mass, creating and refining deadwood (jin and shari) by hand, and applying lime‑sulphur to achieve realistic weathered appearance. The work is revisited years later to further refine the design, demonstrating iterative styling across repotting cycles. The book also provides an extensive Juniper species guide, cultivation notes (position, watering, feeding, repotting, wiring, pruning, pinching, propagation, pest management), and practical advice on collecting garden junipers. Supplementary sections list the author’s other publications and credit the photographer Bryan Dillon. Throughout, the author combines detailed step‑by‑step instructions, tool recommendations, safety cautions, and design philosophy, targeting both intermediate and advanced bonsai practitioners.
Topics
Root‑Surface Cleaning and Soil Level Reduction
Step‑by‑step method for lowering the soil surface of a Juniper bonsai: gently remove excess soil and dead surface roots with wooden chopsticks, create a root‑jin, and back‑fill with high‑fired clay and sphagnum moss to achieve a clean, level root ball. Includes tool tips and safety cautions.
Branch Splitting and Relocation for Movement
Technique for creating dynamic branch architecture by lengthwise splitting a back‑branch with branch splitters and Dremel‑drilled grooves, inserting heavy‑gauge wire, and bending the segment away from neighboring wood. The process also establishes a future shari‑like scar and enhances visual flow.
Trunk Elbow Carving, Shari Exposure, and Bending
Mid‑stage transformation of the trunk: uncover a natural shari, remove heartwood using a Dremel bit, test flexibility, then gradually bend the elbow with wire and guy‑wires while protecting bark with electrician’s tape. Integrates deadwood exposure with trunk shaping for an elegant elbow line.
Layered Foliage‑Mass Wiring and Canopy Development
Systematic wiring of primary, secondary, and tertiary branches to build dense, upward‑progressing foliage pads. Emphasizes cohesive canopy shape, progressive pinching, and the creation of a layered foliage mass that supports the overall design.
Deadwood Creation, Carving, and Lime‑Sulphur Treatment (Jin & Shari)
Comprehensive deadwood workflow: prune and remove bark, hand‑carve jin and shari, heat‑shape with a propane torch, brush, and apply a lime‑sulphur solution. Covers the chemistry of bleaching, safety precautions, brush selection, application schedule, and design principles for realistic weathered appearance.
Iterative Styling, Post‑Styling Reflections, and 2015 Re‑work
Shows the final fully‑styled Juniper after two years, discusses the decision to delay repotting, and reflects on the balance between aesthetic refinement and tree health. Includes a later 2015 restyling that adds deeper hollows, ash‑infused deadwood, intensified lime‑sulphur whitening, and foliage reduction to emphasize age and weathering.
Juniper Species Guide, Cultivation Practices, and Field Collection
Extensive reference covering Juniper species and varieties suitable for bonsai, detailed care instructions (position, watering, feeding, repotting, wiring, pruning, pinching, propagation, pest management), and practical field tips for locating, identifying, and extracting mature garden junipers, handling rootballs, and establishing early care.