Pacific Bonsai Expo, October 26-27, 2024, Oakland, CA

[NaoTK]

View attachment 573006

Is this a Cork bark elm?

The tightness and tiny leaf size achieved on both the Oak and the Elm is pretty impressive. I noted the fact that both trees were predominantly grown in boxes, the Elm being in a box for ten years. Its actually quite rare nowadays for folk to grow on in boxes for that length of time, most opt for bonsai pots much sooner, myself included.

I also spoke with Michael Roberts at length. I picked up two cork bark oaks from him as well.
He got me interested in extended box growing so I will convert some trees to big boxes next spring.
He says he allows the shoots to extend a good 6-12" before cutting, several times a year. But he doesn't seem to do very large runs with chops for fear of lower branch loss (and scarring.)
So the box method seems like a great happy compromise between field and pot techniques, and Michael's proof is in the pudding.

 

[Moridin]

View attachment 573006

Is this a Cork bark elm?

The tightness and tiny leaf size achieved on both the Oak and the Elm is pretty impressive. I noted the fact that both trees were predominantly grown in boxes, the Elm being in a box for ten years. Its actually quite rare nowadays for folk to grow on in boxes for that length of time, most opt for bonsai pots much sooner, myself included.

The Patient Magic of Michael Roberts: Part II

Two more from the great bonsai collection of Michael Roberts. His collection features elms, oaks, pines, trident maples, and olives, all self-created. Most of Michael’s bonsai are large, though the…

crataegus.com

Michael has some amazing trees

 

[BobbyLane]

The Patient Magic of Michael Roberts: Part II

Two more from the great bonsai collection of Michael Roberts. His collection features elms, oaks, pines, trident maples, and olives, all self-created. Most of Michael’s bonsai are large, though the…

crataegus.com

Michael has some amazing trees

Cool progression, the trunk and bark have thickened and plated up quite considerably over the years. Plus gotten ultra dense

 

[yenling83]

If anyone’s interested my first podcast from the Expo is out now, with another on the way. I sure would have liked to interview more people, but the time went by so fast!

Link

 

[Hartinez]

If anyone’s interested my first podcast from the Expo is out now, with another on the way. I sure would have liked to interview more people, but the time went by so fast!

Link

Listened and thoroughly enjoyed.

 

[Hartinez]

I also spoke with Michael Roberts at length. I picked up two cork bark oaks from him as well.
He got me interested in extended box growing so I will convert some trees to big boxes next spring.
He says he allows the shoots to extend a good 6-12" before cutting, several times a year. But he doesn't seem to do very large runs with chops for fear of lower branch loss (and scarring.)
So the box method seems like a great happy compromise between field and pot techniques, and Michael's proof is in the pudding.

I talked with him for awhile also. Super humble and easy to chat with. I’d be curious if when he says box he truly means box? Would an Andersen Flat suffice you think? I’d think so, but I’d be curious.

 

[Ruddigger]

I talked with him for awhile also. Super humble and easy to chat with. I’d be curious if when he says box he truly means box? Would an Andersen Flat suffice you think? I’d think so, but I’d be curious.

Pretty sure he means wooden box. I use the same for developing trees. I have a Japanese Maple, a Pomegranate, and a Vitex in a wooden box at the moment.

 

[yenling83]

Listened and thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks Danny!

 

[bonsaiwood]

If anyone’s interested my first podcast from the Expo is out now, with another on the way. I sure would have liked to interview more people, but the time went by so fast!

Link

I only just learned today yenling83 = Black Pondo. Listened to a few episodes today while doing fall clean up around the house. Enjoying all the bonsai insights. Thanks for producing them.

 

[Sansokuu]

@NaoTK
All the pots look so good. Pikachu pot would look good at my house. any left?

Psst I have pikachu pots left.

 

[Sansokuu]

Oakland was even worse than last time. I know of at least one vendor that had his truck broken into at the hotel. There must be another bay area city that could be an option. San Jose maybe?

I am a huge huge fan of San Jose. It isnt too far from Oakland esp. for a weekend event. I would be happy to organize fundraisers/whatever they need to make it financially feasible (for volunteers eric/jonas to stay local to the venue etc). I was so appalled by Oakland this time, and was mortified that the japanese potters witnessed the aftermath of a gutted and burgled car. They were leaving stuff like a louis vutton duffle behind the table, that is how trusting and safe it typically is in japan I am also embarrassed to report that the potters had sent us a package of pots prior to the show. They somehow ended up in chicago and went missing since. All the inquiries and missing mail reports we filed were no good. Goodbye pots.

But back to Oakland, our rental car agent rattled off not one but like three streets worth of gas stations to not gas up at because of smash and grabs. I am sorry but Oakland is not exactly the most touristy travel destination.. I was kept awake at our airbnb by cars doing donuts at 4 am for half an hour, a party next door that went to midnight, and a domestic disturbance all on separate nights.

Good points, we personally did not experience any crime other than seeing a lot of homeless and graffiti (portland can give oakland a run for its money in that department).

But Nao mentioning bringing it to Portland, there is a modern, very affordable, conference space literally five minutes from our house. The Wingspan center. It is very daylight lit and right by the trainstop. You could literally take the train from the airport straight to the venue. Lots of parking if you drive!

I would also be happy to lend my organization skills and expertise for a portland show We could have a bonsai garden bus, hit up Mirai, Rakuyo, Reel Bonsai, Left Coast, Portland Japanese Garden, Michael Hagedorn etc.

And with some real elbow grease maybe we could have a van transport service to deliver purchases across the states or some kind of networking system for vendors to transport items back. That is always the biggest hangup, how to take home shopped goods? But that’s another thread.

Circling back, a Portland show is probably a pipe dream or at least one that might need to be its own entity separate from the Pacific Bonsai Expo. I dont think our local club can come close to the number of volunteer involvement at PBE, what involved volunteers we have are super unicorn gems but they are very few.

When I stop falling asleep at 7:30 pm I’ll be officially recovered from PBE. I am wiped.

I am happy we had Kakuzan and Ikko visit. They had a bit to imbibe saturday evening and was very happy to have a light udon lunch sunday from a famous japanese chain Marugame! I loved it too One thing I cant complain about is bay area food.

 

[Ruddigger]

I love this show, and I’m so appreciative that @Eric Schrader and @Jonas Dupuich , (and now Andrew I guess,) created it and continue to do everything that have to keep it going and growing.

 

[BrianBay9]

I am a huge huge fan of San Jose. It isnt too far from Oakland esp. for a weekend event. I would be happy to organize fundraisers/whatever they need to make it financially feasible (for volunteers eric/jonas to stay local to the venue etc). I was so appalled by Oakland this time, and was mortified that the japanese potters witnessed the aftermath of a gutted and burgled car. They were leaving stuff like a louis vutton duffle behind the table, that is how trusting and safe it typically is in japan I am also embarrassed to report that the potters had sent us a package of pots prior to the show. They somehow ended up in chicago and went missing since. All the inquiries and missing mail reports we filed were no good. Goodbye pots.

But back to Oakland, our rental car agent rattled off not one but like three streets worth of gas stations to not gas up at because of smash and grabs. I am sorry but Oakland is not exactly the most touristy travel destination.. I was kept awake at our airbnb by cars doing donuts at 4 am for half an hour, a party next door that went to midnight, and a domestic disturbance all on separate nights.

Good points, we personally did not experience any crime other than seeing a lot of homeless and graffiti (portland can give oakland a run for its money in that department).

But Nao mentioning bringing it to Portland, there is a modern, very affordable, conference space literally five minutes from our house. The Wingspan center. It is very daylight lit and right by the trainstop. You could literally take the train from the airport straight to the venue. Lots of parking if you drive!

I would also be happy to lend my organization skills and expertise for a portland show We could have a bonsai garden bus, hit up Mirai, Rakuyo, Reel Bonsai, Left Coast, Portland Japanese Garden, Michael Hagedorn etc.

And with some real elbow grease maybe we could have a van transport service to deliver purchases across the states or some kind of networking system for vendors to transport items back. That is always the biggest hangup, how to take home shopped goods? But that’s another thread.

Circling back, a Portland show is probably a pipe dream or at least one that might need to be its own entity separate from the Pacific Bonsai Expo. I dont think our local club can come close to the number of volunteer involvement at PBE, what involved volunteers we have are super unicorn gems but they are very few.

When I stop falling asleep at 7:30 pm I’ll be officially recovered from PBE. I am wiped.

I am happy we had Kakuzan and Ikko visit. They had a bit to imbibe saturday evening and was very happy to have a light udon lunch sunday from a famous japanese chain Marugame! I loved it too One thing I cant complain about is bay area food.

If you want a show in Portland it's up to Portland folks to organize it. I'm so appreciative of Eric and Jonas and all their efforts. I would never expect them to try to organize a show remote from their homes. I'm sure it's hard enough when the venue is local.

 

[Sansokuu]

If you want a show in Portland it's up to Portland folks to organize it. I'm so appreciative of Eric and Jonas and all their efforts. I would never expect them to try to organize a show remote from their homes. I'm sure it's hard enough when the venue is local.

Totally agree! Which is partly why I don’t think it could be possible to put on a show of that scale with so few club members wanting to volunteer at our club let alone for such a big event. We absolutely super appreciate Jonas, Eric and Dory, Andrew, and the countless bay area volunteers who put on this event. I also appreciated the day of private bathroom usage for nursing the baby until security wouldnt let me back there anymore.

 

[Ruddigger]

If any club in the country could do it, it would be BSOP.

 

[Sansokuu]

I love this show, and I’m so appreciative that @Eric Schrader and @Jonas Dupuich , (and now Andrew I guess,) created it and continue to do everything that have to keep it going and growing.

What, you don’t want to spearhead Socal PBE?

 

[Ruddigger]

What, you don’t want to spearhead Socal PBE?

In all reality, yeah, I would. Eventually. For now I’m already show chair for my club show, which puts on maybe the largest and highest quality show in SoCal, and I’m co-chairing what will be the revamped John Naka exhibit with Julian Tsai next year. Trying to raise the level for bonsai down here.

 

[Wood]

Psst I have pikachu pots left.

I was honestly blown away that you had any leftover after Saturday, much less that you had some after the whole weekend. I figured I'd have to throw elbows to get one for my buddy

 

[bonsaiwood]

@Sansokuu Got my little Bnut pin from your table early Saturday, thanks for making me one! Great to (briefly) meet @Ruddigger working behind the tables. Tons of action right from the start.

 

[Sansokuu]

In all reality, yeah, I would. Eventually. For now I’m already show chair for my club show, which puts on maybe the largest and highest quality show in SoCal, and I’m co-chairing what will be the revamped John Naka exhibit with Julian Tsai next year. Trying to raise the level for bonsai down here.

I was honestly blown away that you had any leftover after Saturday, much less that you had some after the whole weekend. I figured I'd have to throw elbows to get one for my buddy

I made 8 of them One is missing (either a tag wasnt collected from it at sale or stolen no idea). I have two left. I made two water pokemon pots and those went first thing Saturday!