Ancient Arts Bonsai

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United States
Oconomowoc, WI
Ancient Arts Bonsai

We carry trees; pots; tools; wire; soil; fertilizers; etc. We offer lessons, consultations, repotting, wiring, boarding
Visits by Appointment call 262-490-8733

08/31/2026

This is a little project I have been working on for about 3 years.
This is a coleus, here in Wisconsin this is commonly know as an annual plant, people use to beautify their yards and come fall these encounter cold temps and die. But in other parts of the country where freezing is not a normal weather condition, these plants grow year round.
So as fall sets in this gets treated like a tropical tree and is taken indoors where temps are controlled.
As you can see the branches are starting to get woody. I pruned it about 2 months ago and it has just exploded with growth. So this is a pre fall prune taking about 75-80% of the foliage off, and give it a couple of months to fill back in before going inside for the winter.
My hope is as we get more branching established and then the unique colored leaves will make a striking displays.

08/28/2026

Started loading the usual residents into newly renovated shade zone of my bonsai garden.
Benches will get stained next spring, allowing the lumber to dry, as treated lumber holds a lot of moisture. It took roughly 750 screws to hold everything together.
The second picture is the Azalea, I purchased in Japan in February. It appears to be doing well. I did get a preview of what the flowers will look like in April. They look very close to what the grower said they would be. This is what drove me to purchase this tree, it also has a very nice elegant trunk and branch movements with no visible scarring

08/26/2026

Completed the four new benches for one of my bonsai areas
They will get stained next year, once they dry out.
Have to order new shadecloth for the area as it is now 12 feet by 14 feet
The EZ up is currently severing as a temporary shade structure.
A little more work tomorrow getting the short stand in place, of course the concrete blocks need to move about 2-3 inches, sounds easy but I am sure it will be a challenge.
But looking forward to bringing the trees back to this area

08/21/2026

Made some progress on the fence this week, it is essentially finished except for some caps for the posts.
Now on to new benches for the trees. Old benches were roughly 3 feet by 12 feet all one piece. I am expanding the area 2 feet and making two benches 3 feet by 7 feet. So the new task is restacking the concrete blocks and adding two additional stacks.
Test fitting the first bench, hoping to complete in the next week.

08/15/2026

Members of the Milwaukee Bonsai Society did very well at the Midwest Bonsai Society show in Chicago this weekend. A number of the trees were awarded Blue ribbons in the Open class , one of those trees taking Best of Show in the Open class, a couple of seconds. Very proud of them and some of that credit goes to a club that really pushes educating our members to create such wonderful examples of this art form. Congratulations to them all.

08/13/2026

I was honored to judge the third group of trees on display at the Wisconsin State Fair
The Saikei planting took Best of Show. One of the club’s novice members was given an Award of Merit ribbon for a very nice raft style tree.
Pictures of several of other trees on display, including the final two trees that were there for display only, not included in the judged group. I believe they were both past Best of Show winner a few years ago.
It is always good to see our members trees on display to educate the general public of what a great hobby this is to be involved in.

08/11/2026

The bonsai display area has taken a turn. What was thought to be a replace fence pickets, and rebuild the benches has turned into completely replacing everything as the posts turn out to be decayed with little life left
So the trees will be spending a little more time under their temporary shade structure.
I can’t really complain the old fence was built a little over 20 years ago. It was all cedar, the new fence will use treated lumber for the framework and cedar as the fence pickets. Cedar is quite a bit more expensive these days, and the pressure treated may last a little longer with ground contact.

08/10/2026

After the first three days of the Wisconsin State Fair, my Willow Leaf Ficus was voted the People’s Choice.
This is this is my very first bonsai tree, which was from a workshop back in early 1995. I have been working 32 years with this tree now. We have gone through some tough lessons over the years, but we are still learning. I thought it was time for it show that bonsai can be a lasting hobby.
It is also probably the only time I have ever presented this tree at a show.

There are a new group of trees showing now at the fair, go out and see them and vote. It is probably the only time you can vote and didn’t have to listen and watch a bunch crap, spewing lies and tearing each other down. Vote for the tree that touches you and feel good about it. Enjoy something that hopefully made you smile.

08/08/2026

It was a great day at the 175th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Fair
The three trees I entered into the competition were awarded Blue First Place Ribbons in the Open category. That makes them eligible for consideration for the Best of Show or Award of Merit ribbons, which the two Trident Maples were awarded.
In addition as State Fair attendees view the trees on display, we ask them to vote for their favorite tree and yesterday the Willow Leaf Ficus got the most votes, getting about 1/4 of all votes cast. I think people were impressed seeing how a tree has matured and developed over 32 years.
I am humbled and grateful for the recognition, by I am only a temporary caretaker in these trees lives.

08/05/2026

Spent today getting three trees ready for the 175th Wisconsin State Fair Bonsai Show, starts Thurday, August 6th through the 16th.
The Bonsai is in the building right across from the exposition center, used to be called the Horticulture building. There will be three different sets of trees during the fair, so trees only are there for 3-4 days and then
different trees are brought in
The first tree, is my first tree which I started in 1995, so we are into our 32nd year together. I don’t remember the last time or if I ever have shown the tree, so I thought it was time to let the world see it.
The other two trees are both Trident Maples and both of them are growing over rocks. At this point the trees and rocks are inseparable without major damage to the trees. Both of these trees have been in my collection for about 15 years.
It will be interesting to see what the judge has to say.

Address

933 Duchess Drive
Oconomowoc, WI
53066

Telephone

(262) 490-8733

Website

http://www.aabonsai.com/

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