Orlando Bonsai » Epcot https://www.orlandobonsai.com The purpose of this site is to share and enjoy the art, history and horticulture of bonsai and to provide current bonsai news and information. Sun, 19 Sep 2021 06:47:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.8.41 Spring Ahead https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=2188 https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=2188#comments Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:55:52 +0000 http://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=2188 Winter is almost over!  There was almost no winter here in Florida so our trees haven’t had much rest.  Even the citrus is confused, but bonsai enthusiasts, tourists and snowbirds are loving it. Yaay! Come on down (or up or over or whichever direction is appropriate) because Walt Disney World’s 20th annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, presented by HGTV, runs for 75 days from March 6–May 19, 2013. And members of the Central Florida Bonsai Club, are once again at the Festival Center, the Wonders of Life building (the one with the golden dome near the Test Track), displaying bonsai and answering the guests’ questions about bonsai.  I will be there on March 9 and several other times throughout the Festival. Check out Orlando Bonsai’s Facebook page frequently for upcoming pix that I will take this year. At Epcot, where people visit from around the world, it is easy to feel a connection with everyone through the shared love of plants and bonsai.

Last month, I had the privilege to attend a Deciduous tree workshop at D & L Nursery near Ocala where Owen Reich shared information and demonstrated skills learned as an apprentice at Fujikawa kouka-en in Osaka, Japan.  Owen stressed that it takes time to create the “perfect” tree.  He talked about how important it is to look for a good trunk as it is the hardest thing to change on a bonsai. Owen also encouraged us to make large cuts on trees over time so they will heal faster and not stress the tree.  Making a lot of major cuts on the tree in the same year is not good for the health of the tree.  He said you will have a better looking tree in the long run by using this method. The goal is to not even know that the branch was cut.  He also talked about wiring the roots which happens all the time in Japan but not so much in America. He demonstrated wiring branches using a ‘rhythmic wrap’ while introducing movement – up, down, left and right. There were many little tips and tricks that Owen shared along the way as he demonstrated using each participant’s trees.  I really encourage you to attend any event where Owen is teaching; he has a ‘laid back’ style and shares a lot of information as he goes. He plans to go back to Japan in a few years to continue his studies.

In February I went for a walk in nearby Fleet People’s park where old live oaks abound and dogs too. It’s a dog park so if you visit, be prepared for them to be running free. They are very social and love their park. It’s a fenced-in lakeside park and has a war memorial walk nearby and connects to a walking/bike path that goes for miles. If you want to see the pictures of the most amazing movement in the branches of these old oaks, look for the pictures on our Facebook page. I promise it will be worth clicking on the link! These pictures are my reminders as I try to emulate their aged look into my bonsai trees as I am wiring branches.

As you are looking for your spring bonsai supplies, if there is something you are looking for and don’t see it in Orlando Bonsai’s store, let us know as it is likely we can find it at one of our suppliers if we really don’t have it.  We always have trees and supplies that aren’t displayed on the site yet. As always, we welcome your feedback.

Speaking of Spring, remember to spring forward 1 hour as Daylight Saving Time starts in the USA & Canada this Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2:00 am.

Enjoy bonsai!

 

 


]]> https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?feed=rss2&p=2188 0 It’s a small world after all… https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1889 https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1889#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:17:42 +0000 http://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1889 I don’t know if you rember or not, but I learned how to do tilt-shift photography a while back. In the old photo I miniaturized Kunio Kobayoshi’s wonderful Bonsai Garden. Well I couldn’t resist doin the same thing to the Bonsai exhibit at Epcot (Walt Disney World , Orlando) Here is a tilt-shift photo of the Torii Gate taken from the Restaurant area. It just all looks so tiny.


]]> https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?feed=rss2&p=1889 0 18th Epcot Flower and Garden Festival https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1874 https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1874#comments Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:43:56 +0000 http://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1874 Well all the planning, e-mails, phone calls and worrying are over and the trees are on displayed at the 18th annual International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot (located at Walt Disney World Orlando Florida). This the the 10th year I have been involved with the committee and 4th year as chairman. To say I love doing this is an understantment. It is so much work but so worth it.

This year’s display has got to be one of my all time favorite displays. Amazing trees and wonderful exhibitors. I put together a little video and added som photos to see near the end of this post. Enjoy (and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel)

 

Paul Pikel’s Ficus Nerafolia – Clump Style


Ed Trout’s Lantana Cascade


Jarbas Godoy’s Ficus on Slab

Eric Wigert’s Green Island Ficus 

Tony Stewart’s Bougavillea


]]> https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?feed=rss2&p=1874 0 Final prep for Flower and Garden Show https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1831 https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1831#comments Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:40:39 +0000 http://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1831 The Epcot Flower and Garden Show is only weeks away and I am doing my final last minute touches to my Ficus Nerifolia so that it is ready for the 10 week exhibit.

Here is the tree after adding petroleum jelly to the bonsai pot to darken and clean the pot.  I also sprayed the bark with vegetable oil to bring out the purple color of the bark.  Lastly I added moss to create contrast and tie the entire tree together.  The following video show the process.


]]> https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?feed=rss2&p=1831 0 I got a Mouscar! https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1354 https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1354#comments Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:25:02 +0000 http://www.orlandobonsai.com/?p=1354 Well it’s not an Oscar, but I’ll take a Mouscar any day!  For the past 8 years I have been part of the BSF-Epcot Committee for the selection and dipslaying of Bonsai in the Japanese Pavillion at Epcot.   Also for the past 3 years I have been the Chairman of the committee.  As part of this event, WDW gives out plaques, trophies, etc in appreciation of our participation.  However this year they out did themselves!

Paul Pikel's Mouscar

It’s no secret that I adore Disney, and to be able to combine my love for Bonsai with WDW is just awesome. Thanks Mickey!


]]> https://www.orlandobonsai.com/?feed=rss2&p=1354 0