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Snowstorm came through last night but temperatures were to stay at or above 30 so yesterday, I uncovered the cold frame to let it snow in there.
Got about 5 inches that got squashed down to 4 inches when it switched to freezing rain. Had to go clean the drive way and the trucks off today which was real fun (NOT) cause it was heavy and wet snow. Temperatures going down below 30 tonight so re-covered the cold frame. Im tired after the snow shenanigans and ready for a nap now.

Pic payment: snow on the bushes in the front yard

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I recovered a bunch of wire from the motor of our garbage disposal which chewed up its last spoon awhile back. The wire is pretty thin, so it will be used only for guy wiring and the thinnest of branches. I still need to anneal it too.
 

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I recovered a bunch of wire from the motor of our garbage disposal which chewed up its last spoon awhile back. The wire is pretty thin, so it will be used only for guy wiring and the thinnest of branches. I still need to anneal it too.

great idea. I have a motor sitting around too.
 
took my red pine to bonsai club last night and did some fiddling with it and got some opinions, I ended up cutting off much less than I had expected to and I think most of the things I didn't love about it will be fixed with changing the potting angle. I'm psyched for that because now I can start repotting it this year instead of letting it wait til next.

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Arrived home late last night. Today is for unpacking and extra rest. Found a few pots and supplies in the vendor area at Kokufu 2025. ( image 4162)
Picked up last years show book and Kinbon JWP book along with some extra cut paste and a few pots.
IMG_4160.jpegIMG_4162.jpegIMG_4163.jpegThe boxes below were from a visit to Tokoname prior to Kokufu part one! Next step will be to photograph and catalogue my newest acquisitions. Pots were selected from Zenigo, Reiho, Koyo and Ikko. With a few signed " Shozan ". The number of potters producing unglazed pots seems to be declining in Japan. They are becoming harder to find, even in the used market. Needless to say the prices are increasing year after year. This year the number of foreign visitors to the show seemed fewer than last year. There could be a number of reasons, one very evident was the " covid" season seemed much more active with the majority of the population masked and taking precautions. A change from last year at the same time. Just an observation. The other major factor could be inflation and economic uncertainty. Will be interesting to note the conditions next year at the 100th Kokufu Show. For a variety of reasons I did not stay for the second part of the show this year. Oh, and the trains can be delayed in Japan. Snow storm had the "Bullet" trains running hours behind. Very unusual in Japan where you can usually figure out if it is the right train based on its arrival and departure time.
 
Potted up this carpinus caroliniana today, in just one growing season I got enough roots to fill a 3 gallon pond basket. I heavily reduced the rootball since there were and insane amount of fine feeder roots close to the trunk. I can see the future of this tree. It's nesting nicely in a yamaaki pot with a nice earthy green glaze I thought paired well with the swampy landscape you find these trees in. 20250213_161245.jpg20250213_161118.jpg20250213_140828.jpg
 
You and me both.
Eh, worse news, looking at 4 inches of rainfall or so on Saturday. The ground is already saturated, the 8 inches of snow already melted, and the Kentucky river is already over its banks. Next week they are calling for possibly the biggest snow of the year. They predict we may have flooding nearly as bad as the record year in 2021. Here's a photo of our town during that flood. Luckily I live on a high elevation ridge.

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Unpacking pots today and photographing for easy review of what is on the shelf! The first four to brighten my day from the snow and cold. I like to note size and maker for reference when trying to match with trees. Takes a bit of time but well worth it as opposed to going looking underneath the bubble wrap.IMG_2081.JPGIMG_2082.JPGIMG_2083.JPGIMG_2089.JPG
 
Unpacking pots today and photographing for easy review of what is on the shelf! The first four to brighten my day from the snow and cold. I like to note size and maker for reference when trying to match with trees. Takes a bit of time but well worth it as opposed to going looking underneath the bubble wrap.View attachment 583399View attachment 583400View attachment 583401View attachment 583402
love the scrutiny around pots... will get there one day ;) ...
 
Today I went to look at an allotment garden just around the corner of my house to inspect an available piece of land.
I've been looking for something like this for years but there wasn't anything available for a very long time.

The piece of land is 75 square meters in total and I can plant whatever I want as long I don't shade out the other gardens near me.
After the inspection I was very surprised to hear that I can rent the piece of land for only € 50 per year all inclusive.

I will use the new garden mainly for ground growing of junipers and other bonsai material and my girlfriend will use a piece to grow fruit, herbs and wild flowers.

I'm very exited to start and develop the new garden.
 
Arrived home late last night. Today is for unpacking and extra rest. Found a few pots and supplies in the vendor area at Kokufu 2025. ( image 4162)
Picked up last years show book and Kinbon JWP book along with some extra cut paste and a few pots.
View attachment 583271View attachment 583272View attachment 583273The boxes below were from a visit to Tokoname prior to Kokufu part one! Next step will be to photograph and catalogue my newest acquisitions. Pots were selected from Zenigo, Reiho, Koyo and Ikko. With a few signed " Shozan ". The number of potters producing unglazed pots seems to be declining in Japan. They are becoming harder to find, even in the used market. Needless to say the prices are increasing year after year. This year the number of foreign visitors to the show seemed fewer than last year. There could be a number of reasons, one very evident was the " covid" season seemed much more active with the majority of the population masked and taking precautions. A change from last year at the same time. Just an observation. The other major factor could be inflation and economic uncertainty. Will be interesting to note the conditions next year at the 100th Kokufu Show. For a variety of reasons I did not stay for the second part of the show this year. Oh, and the trains can be delayed in Japan. Snow storm had the "Bullet" trains running hours behind. Very unusual in Japan where you can usually figure out if it is the right train based on its arrival and departure time.
How did you like Tokoname? And did you do a tour or just walk around? I plan to visit at the end of March and get some pots as well. Nice selection!
 
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