The Black Pondo Podcast

In this episode I got to catch up with Jonas Dupuich, a friend I originally met through the Bay Island Bonsai club around 2010. Jonas is a Bonsai teacher, author, blogger, professional and organizer of the Pacific Bonsai Expo.  The majority of the episode I was able to pick his brain about the upcoming  Pacific Bonsai Expo Oct. 26-27, 2024.  https://pacificbonsaiexpo.org The PBE is the one Bonsai...

Journal session on Sierra Juniper- Juniperus Grandis 

In this episode, it's just me-Jeremiah Lee.  I thought i'd take a stab at something a bit differnt and experiment with recording a couple Bonsai journal entries.  I picked a few topics and talked about my thoughts and opinions.   Would love to hear your feedback, please let me know what you think?    The episode picture was one I took in 2009 with an poor quality camera in the Valley of the Elders...

In this episode, I spoke with Isaiah Gray of Akagitsune Bonsai who has quickly put together a truly phenomenal collection of North American Native Conifers.  We chatted about the path he's taken up to this point and how he came to put together such an inspiring collection.  We talk about a wide range of topics including the Bonsai Pro's he works with, aesthetic and artistic preferences, garden con...

In this episode I got to sit down with and Interview my Bonsai teacher Peter Tea.  Peter studied with Boon Manakativipart, before leaving for a full time apprenticship at Aichi-En Bonsai Nursery in Nagoya Prefecture Japan.  Peter returned to the States after completing his apprentiship in 2013 and is now a full time Bonsai Professional operating his buisness in Northern Calfornia.  Peter is an ext...

In Episode 13 I got to talk with Dan Wiederrecht and Steve Varland  from Backcountry Bonsai a couple considered amongst the best Yamadori collectors in the US. I had the honor of picking their brains and asking questions I got from the Bonsai nut form and Instagram.  I had a great time hearing about some of their collecting adventures and discuss collecting yamadori in the US.    www.backcountrybo...

In this episode I had the privlege of chatting with Matt Ouwinga of Kaede Bonsai.  Matt told me the story of following his passion for Bonsai and transitioning from working as a full time school teacher to running a very succesfull business, becoming the largest supplier of high quality Bonsai pots imported from Japan into the US.  He dropped several knowledge gems on me about Japanese and Chinese...

In part 2 episode 11 we catch up with the original Heartthrob-Seth Nelson, as he talks to us from the Tea Room at AichiEn Bonsai Nursery.  Originally from Florida, Seth has now been a Deshi for 4 yrs.  AichiEn was established in 1896 and has been passed down many generations of Tanakas. It is located in the Nagoya Prefecture of Japan, and currently owned by Mr. Junichiro Tanaka who is an incredibl...

In part 1 episode 10 we catch up with the original Heartthrob-Seth Nelson, as he talks to us from the Tea Room at AichiEn Bonsai Nursery.  Originally from Florida, Seth has now been a Deshi for 4 yrs.  AichiEn was established in 1896 and has been passed down many generations of Tanakas. It is located in the Nagoya Prefecture of Japan, and currently owned by Mr. Junichiro Tanaka who is an incredibl...

In part 2 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.  They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.  Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and C...

In part 1 of this episode, Jeremiah Lee and Julian Tsai talk about quality bonsai on a budget.  They discuss their experiences starting out in Bonsai and attempt to prioritize where beginners might want to invest and other areas which might not be so important.  Part 1 is primarily focused on spending money on Bonsai Trees and Education. While Part 2 dives into Bonsai Tools, Soil, Fertilizer and C...

In this episode I got the opportunity to catch up with Andrew Robson of Rakuyo Bonsai.  I got to find out what he's been up to lately and ask questions about the world of deciduous Bonsai.  Andrew is a deciduious Bonsai specialist who more recently won the Best Deciduous Award at the Pacific Bonsai Expo in late 2022.  He is a full time professional with his Bonsai studio and home in the Portland O...

In this episode I got to sit down with Eric Schrader a Bonsai professional, YouTuber, founder of Bonsaify.com and co-creator of The Pacific Bonsai Expo.  

In this episode I chat with Matt Spinniken @michigan_yamadori on Instagram about collecting, garden design, White Cedar, Larch and his healthy obsession with Bonsai.  

In this episode I catch up with Kaya Mooney, former apprentice under Boon Manakitivipart in the US and current apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Osaka Japan.  You can find Kaya's incredible work @Moonlightbonsai on Instagram.  

Interview with Adam Toth of the Bay Area, CA who recently returned from a 3+ year Bonsai apprenticeship at Taisho-En Bonsai nursery in Japan.  Adam is one of the few Americans to hold his official Shohin Certification from the Japanese Shohin Bonsai Association.  

Interview with Bob Shimon of Mendocino Bonsai.  MCBonsai.com  

In this episode I Interview Julian Tsai who's a Bonsai professional located in Sothern California.  Julian is a previous apprentice at Fujikawa Kouka-en in Japan, he has also studied under Peter Tea and John Wang.  You can find his work at  Justbonsai.com and bontsai_ on Instagram.