Improving root ramification

In this video Dan demonstrates a simple technique that encourages additional roots to develop from the base of the bonsai's trunk.

Back to basics: Tree 6

This rather ‘sorry for itself’ looking juniper was given to me by a friend to see what could be done with it — well, not a lot!  Anyway, I thought the best option would be to create a Literati style bonsai with the material and as you will see from the following video, that I have managed to do that.

Trees always look pretty minimal after all of the initial pruning-out of unwanted branches and the nett result can leave a lot to the imagination, but I know from past experience that given time and the right care the tree will grow into an attractive Literati bonsai.

Remember, the tree depicted at the end of the video is just DAY ONE in its life as a bonsai — I look forward to developing the foliage ‘clouds’ etc over the next couple of years.

Preparing for the Swindon Winter Show

In this video Dan demonstrates some of the different techniques he uses from time to time when potting regular bonsai pots or accent pots. It’s a bit of a "mish-mash of techniques" but does show some interesting ideas that you may find helpful. At the end of the video, he shows how to make two very simple pots from some of the left over bits of clay that are cut off ‘slabs’, or bits of unused coils. Truly something from nothing and dead easy to follow.

Back to basics: Tree 5

Dan was given another small Chinese juniper to have a play with and to see what he could come up with. “So I thought I’d have a go at making it into a literati style bonsai. These little trees always look pretty stark and minimal after the first styling, but I know that it will only take about 2-3 years to grow the foliage sufficiently for me to develop the foliage “clouds”. Just a bit of fun which I hope will be of some use to bonsai beginners.”

My Life With Bonsai…

Dan talks candidly about his life with bonsai which spans well over 50 years.

Filmed during the summer of 2023.

Back to basics: Tree 4

Tree 4 in our series of making something from nothing!

The Chinese juniper Dan is working on here is not an entirely a ‘rubbish’ tree but material that is this young will take a few years to be an acceptable bonsai.

It should be emphasised that the tree created at the end of this demo is just ‘Day One’ in the life of the bonsai and no attempt has been taken to style it beyond a basic ‘skeleton’ that will support the foliage to be grown and developed in the future. Let’s see what he’ll do with the material available....

Back to basics: Tree 3

Tree 3 in our series of making something from nothing!

This video demonstrates the use of a novel technique to bend branches without using wire or tourniquets when creating jin on this San José juniper.

Warning! Use extreme care when using heat blow torches in this way and ensure that you follow all the relevant safety advice as given by the manufacturers.

A short history of British bonsai

This fascinating insight shows Dan Barton talking about the early years of bonsai in Britain

Back to basics: Tree 2

This video continues my current theme of working with virtually impossible material. I do enjoy the challenge of trying to find harmony from where there was chaos. I make no pretence that the end product is anything but a specimen bonsai, but it is a beginning that can be worked on and improved over the years. Privet species is not given the place that it should have in bonsai. It is a readily available species and very tolerant of all manner of work that it is subjected to and I would fully recommend it as a good choice — especially for enthusiasts new to bonsai.

Back to basics: Tree 1

The privileged few bonsai enthusiasts of today are lucky enough to work on spectacular material trees in order to create their masterful works of art, whereas the majority of bonsai lovers are happy to work on all sorts of material (whatever is available). When I started my bonsai journey 50+ years ago the material I had to work with was absolute rubbish by todays standards — but I enjoyed SO MUCH fun working in this environment in my years of ignorant bliss — so I’m returning back to basics to see whether I can make a potential bonsai from very questionable material — in other words… rubbish!

Mixing a base glaze.

Dan demonstrates and talks you through how he goes about mixing a base glaze - the glaze alone should yield an acceptable white which can also be inked to create a crackle effect. Using this base glaze you can go about experimenting by adding various oxides in varying percentages to come up with personal colours and effects of your own.

Air layering from a garden Maple.

Watch as Dan shows Millie how to make an air-layer from one of the many self-sown Maple seedlings that he finds growing all over his garden.

Here he uses a reusable plastic root growing ball for the first time (easily available from Amazon), which is then packed with sphagnum moss and helped along with some rooting hormone/gel and 'Super Thrive'.

Making a simple Bonsai Accent Pot.

Watch as Dan makes two simple Bonsai Accent Pots using the leftover offcuts of clay from a larger pot - nothing goes to waste! The pots need to work visually from every angle. The end of the video shows a photo gallery with examples of some of the many thousands of Accent Pots that Dan and his wide, Cecilia, have made over the years.

Talking Bonsai Pots.

Dan discusses some of his recent (summer 2022) Bonsai Pot creations and includes explanations about glaze and kiln mishaps as well as tree suitability for different pot/glaze types and also about the criteria he uses when pricing his pots.

Early Bonsai Pots.

Dan talks about three of his early bonsai pot creations, discussing where he made them and the various methods and techniques used.

Glazing bonsai pots.

Watch as Dan shares his technique for glazing large Bonsai Pots. This is the first of a series of glazing videos

Inking a crackle glazed bonsai pot.

Join Dan as he shares his simple process for creating a strong crackle glaze on a large shallow Bonsai Pot by applying Sumi ink as used by Japanese calligraphers.

Applying oxide & wax to a bonsai pot

Watch as Dan illustrates his method for applying oxide to the feet and base rim of a coiled bonsai pot before applying wax to repel the glaze as it is poured on subsequently.