Bonsaigers' Conversations

Some conversations happen best on the road. We’re back in the car, driving from a collection back to the garden. On the way we talk about the foliage and how the trees have developed this season, the latest on Bonsaigers X, and the Heritage collection: a new part of our website that brings together the work of other artists, read through our style. Two people, one car, and a garden that keeps chan...

Una città cambia un albero alla volta. Questa settimana parliamo con Francesca Colombo, direttrice culturale di BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano. Le sue origini e il percorso che l’ha portata a BAM, cosa significa davvero inclusività per un parco aperto a tutti, e come Milano può cambiare un albero alla volta, facendo crescere la cultura dei suoi cittadini. Una conversazione su alberi, cultura...

Some trees take decades to grow before anyone finds them. This week we talk with Matt Spinniken (@michigan_yamadori), who collects trees from the wild in Michigan and gives them a second life as bonsai. We cover how he started, how to collect a yamadori responsibly, the slow recovery after collection, and two species he knows well: northern white cedar and larch. A conversation about patience, and...

Questa settimana su Bonsaigers’ Conversations parliamo con Francesco Santini. Francesco ha conosciuto il bonsai in casa, grazie a suo padre, nella campagna vicino a Empoli. Era la passione di suo padre e col tempo è diventata la sua, fino a cambiargli la vita e a diventare il suo lavoro. Oggi è istruttore IBS, ha vinto più volte Arco Bonsai e cura la collezione di Franchi Bonsai. Nel 2024 è stato...

In this official reveal episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations , we unveil the prizes and the jury behind the one and only Online Bonsai Exhibition ! Discover the judges who will evaluate the entries and the prizes awaiting the artists taking part in this unique online event dedicated to the art of bonsai. This is your first official look at what we have in store. The exhibition brings together bons...

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with Bjorn Bjornholm , founder of Eisei-en Kyoto and one of the people who have built a unique bridge between the Western and Japanese bonsai worlds. After nine years in Japan, Bjorn returned to the United States, where he opened his own garden in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, after another chapter of his journey, he has moved back to Japan,...

Bonsaigers Conversations – Episode 35 | Michael Hagedorn In Episode 35 of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with Michael Hagedorn to explore his journey through the world of bonsai — from how it all began to his experiences in Japan and the path that led him to become one of the most respected bonsai artists and educators in North America. Michael shares stories about his time in Japan, the l...

BONSAIGERS' CONVERSATION — EPISODIO 34 In questo episodio di Bonsaigers' Conversation incontriamo Moritz Mantero , presidente di Orticolario e della storica Mantero Seta di Como , in un luogo speciale: Villa Erba , nel suggestivo Golfo dei Platani , il giardino giapponese all'interno della villa. Una conversazione dedicata a Orticolario , alla sua nascita e alla visione che negli anni...

In this episode of Bonsaigers' Conversations , we take you behind the scenes of Bonsaigers' X , our annual online bonsai exhibition, now reaching its sixth edition . What started as an idea to bring bonsai enthusiasts together in a new and accessible way has grown into a yearly project that connects artists, enthusiasts and bonsai lovers from all over the world. In this episode, Loris Diot...

BONSAIGERS CONVERSATION #32 — GIOVANNI MORO For the 32nd episode of Bonsaigers Conversation, we sat down with Giovanni Moro , Founder & CEO of Unimatic , the Milan-based independent watch brand he built from the ground up. We talked about how Unimatic started, Giovanni’s journey into watchmaking, the evolution of the company, and what the future holds for the brand. Over the years, Unimatic ha...

In this episode, we sit down with  Bill Ho , a designer and artist from Sydney, Australia. We talk about how bonsai has shaped his life and work, the relationship between  bonsai, art, and design , and what it’s like to practice bonsai in Australia. A personal and international perspective on bonsai, creativity, culture, and life. 🎙️  A new episode every Monday. Listen to  Bonsaigers Conversations...

Luca Pozzoni, architect and researcher at Politecnico di Lecco, joins us to talk about his PhD research on the mountain pastures above Colico, on Lake Como — published in the scientific journal Heritage (and featured on the cover). We talk about traditional building methods, and why preserving this territory matters as much for its culture — the story of how humans have lived alongside nature — as...

🎙️ Bonsaigers’ Conversations — Episode 29: Zane’s Trees In this episode, we sit down with Zane’s Trees, an Instagram creator with over 250,000 followers who is making bonsai more accessible and inspiring a new generation of enthusiasts. Zane shares his journey into bonsai, his experience working with heat-tolerant species like Portulacaria and Bougainvillea in Southern California, and where he see...

In this episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations, we talk with bonsai practitioner and Bonsai Builders Podcast host Addison Galambos, based in San Francisco. We explore what led Addison to start his podcast, how bonsai became a central part of his life, and what he’s learned from studying with some of the most respected artists in the world. We also discuss the role of community, learning through conv...

- The full episode is also available on YouTube, where it can be watched with automatic English translation. - In questo episodio di Bonsaigers Conversations ho avuto il piacere di parlare con Tiberio Gracco, ceramista italiano apprezzato e riconosciuto a livello internazionale per il suo lavoro nella ceramica artistica e nei vasi per bonsai. Durante la conversazione ripercorriamo la sua crescita...

🇬🇧 Note: This episode is recorded in Italian . If you prefer an English version, you can watch it on YouTube with translated audio and additional footage of the garden . - In questo episodio parliamo con il paesaggista Luca Aldeghi della sua esperienza e del lavoro svolto al Giardino di Poggio Castello. La conversazione esplora come oggi sia possibile progettare giardini in modo più sostenibile e...

In this episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations , we talk with bonsai professional and Pacific Bonsai Expo founder Jonas Dupuich. We dive into how bonsai are evaluated in exhibitions, what truly defines a great tree, and the key differences between showcasing bonsai in a garden versus those in a display. Jonas also shares his journey from his family nursery to becoming one of the most respected voice...

In this episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations, I’m joined by Jeremiah Lee, an award-winning bonsai artist and the host of the Black Pondo Podcast—one of the absolute best listens out there for anyone passionate about the art of bonsai. Jeremiah opens up about our shared passion for these miniature trees and takes us behind the scenes of his creative process. We dive deep into the philosophy and uni...

In this episode of Bonsaigers’ Conversations, I’m joined by Peter Chan, founder of Herons Bonsai, the largest bonsai nursery in the UK, and the creator behind the internationally renowned YouTube channel Herons Bonsai. Peter shares his remarkable journey into the world of bonsai, the philosophy and artistry behind the practice, and the lessons he has learned from building one of the most respected...

In this episode of Bonsaier’s Conversations , I sit down with Aarin Packard , curator of the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Washington, USA—one of the most important bonsai institutions in North America, known for its world-class collection and thought-provoking exhibitions. We explore Aarin’s journey as an artist and how his creative background continues to shape his curatorial vision. From rethinking...

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with Jake Hobson—founder of Niwaki, entrepreneur, author, and a leading voice in Japanese garden culture outside Japan. Jake’s path is far from conventional. From his early experiences living in Japan to building Niwaki into a globally recognized brand, his work has been a major source of inspiration for our own approach to bonsai, tools, a...

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with geologist, storyteller, and author Dr. Anjana Khatwa, whose work bridges science, nature, and spirituality. Author of Whispers of Rock , Anjana shares her journey into geology and how landscapes can hold deeper stories of time, identity, and belonging. Together, we explore the connection between science and spirituality, and how these...

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with Russian bonsai artist Andrei “DAO” Darusenkov, whose work sits at the intersection of art, architecture, and spirituality. A longtime collaborator with Bonsaigers, Andrei has been a key figure in the Bonsaigers’ X exhibition — winning it twice before returning as a judge in 2024. His approach to bonsai goes beyond technique, rooted in...

In this episode of Bonsaigers' Conversations, we sit down with the couple behind Brightside Bonsai, ceramic artists based in Atlanta, Georgia who have built a shared life around creating bonsai pottery together. Their work blends craftsmanship, intention, and a deep connection not only to the trees their pots will hold, but to each other. They open up about what it means to pursue art as a cou...

In this episode of Bonsaigers Conversations , we sit down with Quebec-based artist Steve Ulrich, whose work is deeply shaped by the raw beauty of his natural surroundings. Each tree he creates carries the spirit of the wild landscapes he explores. Steve shares stories from his long collecting trips in the mountains, where patience, endurance, and intuition guide the search for material. For him, t...