President’s Message
March 2026
Kokufu‑Ten
I was lucky enough to make it to Japan for the 100th Kokufu‑Ten, and wow—nothing gets the bonsai energy flowing like being surrounded by that many incredible trees. Everywhere you look, there’s something that makes you stop, stare, and think, “Okay… I need to go home and work on my trees.”
Of course, even with so many great trees, you still end up picking a favorite. Mine didn’t match the judges’ choice—but honestly, I’ve always felt your favorite tree says more about you than it does about the tree. With huge pines, ancient plums, and maples with nebari wider than their pots, there was plenty to choose from.
I’m a sucker for literati, so in Part One I fell for a red pine with that perfect mix of elegance and attitude. In Part Two, my favorite was an old Prunus mume that broke pretty much every “rule” and still looked amazing. My runner‑up was a Japanese white pine sitting right next to it—great contrast, great character.
First Thursday Meeting
For our First Thursday meeting, we’ve got Eric Schrader joining us to talk about growing junipers. Eric has been developing bonsai from raw stock for over 25 years, and he’s got a ton of practical experience and insight. It should be a fun and really useful session.
Third Thursday Workshop
This month’s workshop is a good chance to keep pushing through your repotting and start the early spring work on trees that are already waking up. Maples, especially, benefit from getting this work done at the right time.
If you’ve got maples and want a little guidance—or just want a second set of eyes—bring them in. We’ll go through the work together and make sure they’re set up for a strong start to the season.
Previously
Photos from last month’s Tree Improvement program, led by our own Elliot, as well as photos from our Third Thursday workshop! Whether you’re seeking advice for specific techniques, or general feedback for when you’re lost with a tree, your peers at Midori are always a great resource.