My year around bonsai work in the Inland Empire, CA

[bonhe]

This time of the year, Vietnamese all over the world is preparing for Vietnamese New Year called Tết . In my garden, some trees are ready for Tết. During Tết, some of flowers and fruits are a must in home such as: flowering peach, hoa mai, kumquat, etc.
The Kinzu and Meiwa kumquat.


Kinzu


Meiwa

Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I just finished removing the old needle from this JBP yesterday.
Before.


After


I love its bark!

Bonhe

 

[ghues]

Where is the drooling icon? Very nice.
G

 

[bonhe]

Where is the drooling icon? Very nice.
G

Thanks for asking this question.
The boy in the icon is Shancai who was a student of Guan Yin (Quan Âm ) or “Goddess of Mercy” in English is known as the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion in East Asian Buddhism. The Chinese name Guan Yin is short for Guan Shi Yin (Quan Thế Âm), which means "Observing the Sounds of the World".
Historically, worship of Guan Yin originated from earlier devotion to the male Indian bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. When worship of Avalokiteśvara spread to China, he was also first worshiped in male form, but the representation changed over time. Avalokiteśvara became female since the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) since she was considered to be the personification of compassion and kindness.
One of my passion is for antique. I was lucky enough to acquire this antique statue from the estate auction in Montreal. The previous owner was Henrietta Antony of Quebec. Ms. Antony owned one of the most prominent antique galleries in Montreal that she ran from the age of 18 to 80 (62 years). She also owned a large and very successful vineyard in the hills of southern Quebec.

Guan Yin in male figure.


Lateral view


Shancai in the back of Guan Yin


Extremely fine network mixed with a heavier crackle comparable to the veins in the wing of a fly.


This fantastic statue could be safely placed into the Sung Dynasty (960 - 1280 A.D.)
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I brought this Korean hornbeam out this afternoon to prune it.
Before.


After

Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

These two giant hibiscus still have green leaves at this time. I will not prune those branches back until spring time. The leaves are so important for the trees because they produce energy for the tree.

Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I worked on this cork elm root cutting this afternoon.
Before.




That section was cut off.


A little wiring.


Now, it will be let growing until next winter.
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

This pomegranate is in need to have some branches pulled down.
Before.


In training for pomegranate, I have been using wiring, cut-grow and pulling techniques.
I have large amount of IV line to be used for this purpose.


After.


Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

This time of the year, I let pomegranate stay in area with lot of sunlight, except with those are too big for moving around, I let them stay where they are!!
2 medium pomegranate in the front and the big one in the back.


Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

This pomegranate is in need to have some branches pulled down.
Before.
View attachment 129184 View attachment 129185

In training for pomegranate, I have been using wiring, cut-grow and pulling techniques.
I have large amount of IV line to be used for this purpose.
View attachment 129190

After.
View attachment 129191 View attachment 129192 View attachment 129193

Bonhe

This one is very good. And that pot is perfect for the tree! Who made the pot?

 

[bonhe]

Thank you JudyB.
The pot is made by Andrew Pearson (Stone Monkey ceramics). Yes, I love this pot!


Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

Thank you JudyB.
The pot is made by Andrew Pearson (Stone Monkey ceramics). Yes, I love this pot!
View attachment 129206 View attachment 129207 View attachment 129208 View attachment 129209 View attachment 129210

Bonhe

Wonderful! More fabulous than I thought.

 

[bonhe]

I found this on the soil surface of JBP this afternoon! I like it! We received a lot of rain lately here.

Bonhe

 

[JudyB]

Good for you! I'm glad that this year is finally giving some moisture back to you.

 

[bonhe]

Thank you JudyB. It have been raining off and on for few days now. I got 5 " of rain water in 2 days. The Prado Dam has been opened since 6 am today due to high level of water!
Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

Well, it has been heavily raining since 9 am today. It is almost 5" water.
I had to get into the rain to unplug a clogged drain pipe with sewer snake!!!
You can see the rain dancing on the water surface.


Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

I planned to transplant this cascade Itoigawa grafted California juniper today, but the weather does not allow me to perform it safely. Moderate Santa Ana wind with humidity ~ 35!


Bonhe

 

[bonhe]

The early flowering peach has a lot of flowers today.


I have one flowering peach bonsai but it did not bloom yet. It will be in a few days.
Bonhe

 

[thumblessprimate1]

The early flowering peach has a lot of flowers today.
View attachment 130374 View attachment 130375

I have one flowering peach bonsai but it did not bloom yet. It will be in a few days.
Bonhe

That's a pretty blossom. Any idea what cultivar it is? I like the petal shape and how asymmetrical the flower is.

 

[bonhe]

That's a pretty blossom. Any idea what cultivar it is? I like the petal shape and how asymmetrical the flower is.

It is named as The Early Flowering Peach. I like this one because its flowers is almost alike Dao That Thon, Vietnam. It always blooms in Tet!
Bonhe