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Thread: Koi, bonsai and Japanese gardens
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05-10-2016, 10:36 AM #1
Koi, bonsai and Japanese gardens
Just looked through some of the threads on the forum (for the first time) and it amazes (wrong word but I couldn't think of a better one) me that many people who have an interest in Koi are also interested in bonsai and Japanese gardens and possibly some of the other Japanes hobbies, I thought I had picked the most expensive keeping bonsai then I built a pond. Personally I have been practising bonsai for more than 20 years now and have been interested in Japanese gardens for at least 15, so I come to Koi keeping from that angle (first fish this year although I did plan and lay out the beginnings of a pond 20 years ago). I built a Japanese garden for the Sottish Bonsai Association at Gardening Scotland where the Japanese embassy staff in Scotland conducted tea ceremonies. I have been interested in Japanese culture since the 1970's which for some reason I find fascinating. I think my holiday of a lifetime would be going to Japan to see the cherry blossom and visit bonsai and Koi farms along the way.
I won't add a photo of my garden as it has been destroyed building a 15,000 litre Koi pond, there is no grass , the Japanese tea house hasn't been started and the place has been taken over by weeds! I have added a photo of one of my trees though, not a show winner yet just give it ten years. It was just handy in my phone. For those that don't know it is a Satsuki Azalea (Kaho).
Can't help wondering that as I get older I begin to appreciate some of the finer things in life since I maybe have a little more time .
Kenny
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Trace Thanked / Liked this Post
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05-10-2016, 11:59 AM #2
What a lovely looking tree. Bonsai and koi ponds just go together like strawberries and cream. But we don't all have cream with our strawberries .. love to see pics of your pond & more of your trees
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05-10-2016, 03:09 PM #3
OK Salukihound just for you. I have been out and taken a video of the pond today. Been meaning to do it for a while since I am not finished yet, and I talked since I dislike silent videos - harrowing experience!! Check this out - https://youtu.be/dQaB0Q6xLD0 on YouTube.
Tried to upload video to this page didn't work from my PC!
I have added in some wee tree photos, these were in the Gardening Scotland 2016 Bonsai Competition, they don't have to be good you just have to want to enter.
KennyLast edited by Handy Kenny; 05-10-2016 at 03:15 PM.
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jon nash Thanked / Liked this Post
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05-10-2016, 05:51 PM #4
What a lovely pond you have ... the fish look great and I now have pond envy .. Have been to gardening Scotland a few years back .. is it the one in Edinburgh ? gosh it must have been about 2001 !!!! Do remember lovely displays, good for finding new suppliers .. it was the trade show .. so may not be the same as you are in.
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05-10-2016, 06:01 PM #5
Love the mirror on your wall! .... and it's nice to hear a Scottish accent on a video ....
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05-10-2016, 07:32 PM #6
Since keeping koi I've developed a love of all things Japanese especially the gardens and cloud pruning, I think it's the perfection that I like.
I collect just about everything including nutsuke, here's a few of my favourites, one day I'll get around to displaying them on proper stands.
I love the idea of training Bonsai but as yet I haven't had the patience to do it properly and only have a few home grown clipped conifers that don't even come close to the real thing.
I did find a beautiful cloud pruned tree recently but it was over £5000 so I gave it a miss.Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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05-10-2016, 07:40 PM #7
Salukihound, Trace
Thanks guys I love a bit of encouragement, been so long doing the pond and walls etc that sometimes you lose the will. There are two main shows at the Ingliston showground every year - The Highland Show (agricultural) and Gardening Scotland). You both hail from north of the border as well. My friends are always asking how it is going as well so I can guide them to the YouTube video.
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05-10-2016, 08:08 PM #8
These are not strictly bonsai, but you might enjoy them, nonetheless:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOd_GER86Jc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duO5bmlacXo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHwe0AlWCcQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvFD9pTzbmI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMsd70s_NQA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeoCBfDbacI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9SiR-K1Bo4
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05-10-2016, 08:23 PM #9
PWNN,
Brilliant love your Netsuke too, don't have any though I can't help admiring them. Also I like Suiseki, Japanese viewing stones normally placed on an exquisitely carved wooden stand, Although I have not bought any of them either have attached a few stones I picked up on the beach. The first on the left I don't have clue what it looks like but I like it anyway, the second is a welders mask and the third is Glen Dhu (Black Glen) on Arran, one of my favourite places. Just need to carve stands now!!
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05-10-2016, 08:37 PM #10
All of a sudden there are a lot more people in this world that I am envious of. Don't know how I will achieve that in my 1/6th of an acre plot but that is why I moved into bonsai anyway, more trees less space. How do you know when a bonsai business is doing well - they move in to smaller premises.
Kenny
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05-10-2016, 09:58 PM #11
So next stop for you is an underwater camera ... Just realised how close you are to Edinburgh..
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06-10-2016, 01:27 AM #12
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06-10-2016, 10:17 AM #13
Do please invest in a cctv security system, your fish & trees are valuable and sadly thefts are now targeting these even in Scotland.
I am in Elgin .. so not that near you really. Used to get down to Edinburgh to the art gallery's ..
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06-10-2016, 10:42 AM #14
This is the first I've heard of suiseki (I live a sheltered life ) I can see the beauty in it though.
I can't stop collecting rocks and fossils at the moment, this trilobite and sharks tooth are my latest additions.Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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06-10-2016, 01:09 PM #15
PWNN, Fabulous, when I see that stuff I am always interested. Looking up Suiseki on google will give you an idea of what it is about, Got to say it is big business considering that the rocks are "found". The Chinese do a range with five colours in the rock. What is seen in the rock of course is supposed to represent some sort of animal or other object and some of them are fantastic considering that they are all natural. I have got to the point that when I walk along a beach I never see the scenery as I am always lookig down at the ground looking for a fabulous Suiseki!
Took a photo of my "sheep" suiseki. I put it on the rubbish plinth myself. It is however a bit of concrete which is of course man made. It did come from somewhere special though - the Berlin Wall when it was brought down so it has a bit of a back story.
Kenny
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06-10-2016, 01:33 PM #16Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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06-10-2016, 03:20 PM #17
Here's something else I collect, I haven't got many because I only pick them up from charity shops when I see them, having the patience to carve cork so delicately is amazing.
Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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06-10-2016, 04:39 PM #18
Seen them around, they are pretty intricate.
Got this (see photo) not really Suiseki but along the same lines. You will be amused when you find out what it is (most people say three mushrooms).
Clues - They have been collected and mounted by someone, of historical importance, near Edinburgh, crossing water, check out the colour. When you have guessed I will let you know what it is.
Kenny
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06-10-2016, 07:05 PM #19
Hmm, I could go for a few not so correct assumptions but I'll go for the first thing that sprang to mind, helmets, war, Germans, trenches.
My inner eye has probably got a bent towards the current First World War remembrance visions because it's topical.
I've totally ignored your clues but I'm intrigued to know so please share.Alias PWNN - Steve
My favourite and recommended web site is......
http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/
http://www.freewebs.com/koikoi/
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06-10-2016, 08:03 PM #20
You certainly have a knack with the Bonzai Kenny......
Just love the acer.......
The bro inlaw used to be into Bonazi not so long ago im unsure if he still actually participates as he closed his pond down due to serious ill health....
I will ask him as i intend to call up and see him next week.....
I missed chatting with him at the recent family wedding as i was not fit myself to attend..
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