Red Dragon Bonsai in Currumbin Waters | Garden centre

Red Dragon Bonsai

Locality: Currumbin Waters

Address: 238 currumbin creek road 4223 Currumbin Waters, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.reddragonbonsai.com

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25.01.2022 Black pine class. What a great day spent with Carol Waller sharing her incredible depth of knowledge of black pines. These trees are probably the most misunderstood of all bonsai, which is a shame as they probably represent what is known as the king of bonsais. Every students tree turned out amazing, and now with the knowledge to move ahead are well on the road to enjoying this magnificent species. Thank you all for your enthusiasm, it was very contagious! Thanks again Carol, you are an incredible teacher, and very humble with what you know. Hoping we can do another one soon, this info needs to be put out there!

23.01.2022 Like all things in life nothing lasts forever (second law of thermodynamics for those interested in why) so it is with my old bougy, dug up about 25 years ago at burliegh (apparently planted some 30+ years earlier by the owner). It completely covered a garage and the owner was MORE than happy to see it go. I still bear the scars, it was massive. He had tried to kill it and had succeeded to some degree with the inside rotting out. Well I think it has now decided its time to go, basically only the cambium holding it together. Even earls wood hardener could only delay the inevitable. I will dearly miss her beautiful flowers and the story she told. so here are some of the last days of her. And one in her glory days with Robert Stevens.

22.01.2022 I have posted elsewhere but thought it was worth repeating here. I have been experimenting with pumice over the last 2 years. The results have been very encouraging. After talking to Boon about it and doing plenty of reading I decided to bite the bullet and start using it in various combinations. I have posted a couple of pics showing the amazing root growth and microryza, very happy! We have the bags of pumice for sale at the nursery. Its dearer than plugger, but is far superior and if you wish it can be sifted and reused (dont do this with old soil for to many reasons to even go into). Do your due diligence, study, dont just take my word!

21.01.2022 Well, its finished (kind of) thanks to my favourite worker Robby, who did an incredible job on the pot! It has a ways to go yet, but a couple of years, do some wiring and filling out it will be happy. This juniper was about 1.4 mtrs tall, I split the trunk and bent it. This has all healed now, so can settle into its final styling.

19.01.2022 Potting mixes are are frequent discussion amongst bonsai growers. Over the years I have tried a lot of different mediums. We have used at least 3 manufacturers of bonsai mix with varying results. All to often it would change and lose its bonsai qualities. We have used diatomite, with mixed results, as it started to break down and turn to mush. This is now the norm as diatomite is not fired at the same high temperatures it used to be owing to WH and S. Pumice was good, but a lot of sifting needed. We are trialing a new product and hope it will put an end to the bonsai mix saga. Keep tuned.

19.01.2022 I have been growing black pines for a number of years now for the future, about 1000. Over the years I have spent countless hours developing them with unusual shapes and styles. I have sometimes wondered about my sanity, watering ( by hand!) wiring repotting fertilising decandling etc all on the side of a hill. Here is a quick video that has assured me I am heading in the right direction, and helping others to see what can be done with the stock that I have here. This is Hanh Tran Baloc doing amazing work on his tree that resembles many that I have here at the nursery, enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHtR9iZMyJc

18.01.2022 Just been reading a book (2 volumes) by Cheng, Cheng Kung and he uses so many pictures from the wild to explain his work which is amazing. I was out driving and saw so many examples of trees in nature that we have been missing. Maybe trying to create trees into bonsai rather than bonsai into trees. Heres a pic of a forest/group on a hill as an example,

16.01.2022 We have just released some of our 800+ amazing Japanese black pines that we have been growing for the past 5-8 years, wired into some funky shapes, twin trunks, cascades ect. Most suited to shohin. A lot of time has gone into shaping these little guys, and you will be hard pressed to find trees of this quality. starting as low as $69. we also have larger trees in 16" bags and foam boxes. these have all been pruned over the years to provide good quality stock for bonsai rather than just straight sticks in pots! The final photo is a tree I took and shaped from these last year. you will need to call in to see them as we are unable to post pics of individual trees, sorry!

14.01.2022 Welcome to the facebookbook page of Red Dragon Bonsai. This is our latest security, a bloody huge snake who has made his home in a swamp cypress...........cause he can! And a little crab apple.

14.01.2022 I must apologise for not thanking Hanh Tran Balok for his youtube video! Your work is amazing, and incredibly inspiring, please keep them coming! Here is another clip worth watching, again thank you Hanh! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9VZZJ1OtXA

14.01.2022 A great opportunity to take part in a 7 hour (9-4) black pine class is being held at Red Dragon Bonsai on August 26th. We are privileged to have the very knowledgeable Carol Waller (please see her qualifications below) for the day. The class is strictly limited to 8 students only. Please note this is for students who already have an understanding of styling and wiring. All tools wire etc will need to be supplied by the student. The cost of the day is $50 as well each student ...will need to purchase and pay for the class and a pine from the nursery at least one week prior to the day. To RSVP please email me at [email protected] Carole Waller has been doing bonsai for 40 years. She achieved the top level on the AABCs Visiting Tutor program and has travelled interstate doing demonstrations and workshops. She held a position on the Selection Committee for the National Bonsai & Penjing Collection of Australia and has two trees there on display to the general public. Among Caroles many bonsai awards are 3 Gold Medals for Bonsai Excellence with two of them being for Pines. In 2014 at the International *AABC/BCI Convention Japanese Master Mr. Shinichi Nakajima awarded a Gold Medal for bonsai excellence to Caroles Canariensis pine. Japanese Black Pines are among Caroles favourite species to work on. She says they have a reputation of being very difficult, but in fact once an understanding of the tree is gained, it is actually very hardy and forgiving.

14.01.2022 Well all the little guys have hatched, just got to make sure the big carpet snake doesn't get wind of them. So good to have these guys trust us enough to nest so close to the counter! All those little hungry mouths.

14.01.2022 We will be open tomorrow, saturday, but closed sunday and easter monday. So often we go after big trees, yet sometimes we miss the adventure of the seemingly insignificant. dont be afraid to get a large tree and cut it back to maybe its first branch, which in turn becomes its new leader. this was the way this juniper and chinese elm started their life.

14.01.2022 RED DRAGON BONSAI is closing after 15 years! A sale of 50% OFF ALL bonsai and ALL prebonsai and ALL tools and ALL pots will commence at 9.00 am on Saturday the 2nd of February. All stock must and will be sold, no laybys or holds. No photos will be sent. There is some amazing large junipers and black pines as well as all the usual trees. Prices will make most of these trees well below cost.... EXCLUDED from the sale will be soils, wire and fertilisers. We will be closed ALL DAY FRIDAY the 1st to prepare for the sale with absolutely NO sales or admittance on Friday. We are retiring, and having a months holiday after the sale. I will later be available for tuition maintenance and consulting. I WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH FOR ANYTHING. You will find me at Doc Bonsai on 0490050359 when we return. Thanks to all those who have supported us during this time, and please go on supporting the many GREAT bonsai nurseries who work long and hard to provide this unique industry with quality products. Tess and Selby at Bonsai Northside, Steve and Dianne at Australian bonsai grower, Robyn Godfrey at Oxley, Roger The bonsai man brisbane, and Michael Eberle at Eumundi markets.

12.01.2022 The black pines are going from strength to strength! its not until you start cutting back the spring candles do you realise the shapes and ramification that has developed under all that foliage! here are some pics of the cut back trees, lots to work with, and not just your informal upright, but some really funky shapes if your the artistic type! These are ready to go, with great trunks and taper with lots of branching to work with. about 40 or more to choose from.

11.01.2022 As unusually hot and distressing to our trees, heres an amazing upside, incredible autumn colour. these are some liquid ambers in the nursery that have reacted to the heat in a beautiful way!

10.01.2022 FOR SALE! Red Dragon Bonsai is being listed for sale. Being the only bonsai nursery to over 600,000 people on the Gold Coast and Tweed. 5 minutes to currumbin beach, 3 minutes to the M1 but surrounded by bushland. Consists of 4 bedroom house 3 toilets, onsuite, office ect Genuine reason for selling. This is a great opportunity for someone who has a passion and drive for bonsai, live the dream! please contact me on [email protected]

09.01.2022 Just landed 15 tons of some awesome pots! These are some of the best pots and range we have had. My sons are taking it to another level. Should be all unloaded by friday.

09.01.2022 just in case you are after something bigger in the way of pines, here is some large field grown black pines, ready and raring to be shaped. I dont think you will find stock like this anymore as it is just no longer economical to grow for 15-18 years.

06.01.2022 The Black pine class conducted by Carol Waller has only a few place left, it is definitely limited to only 8. Please see the details on this page if interested. Lots of amazing pre shaped pines to choose form at the nursery.

05.01.2022 We will be open tomorrow, saturday, but closed sunday and easter monday. So often we go after 'big trees', yet sometimes we miss the adventure of the seemingly insignificant. dont be afraid to get a large tree and cut it back to maybe its first branch, which in turn becomes its new leader. this was the way this juniper and chinese elm started their life.

05.01.2022 Thanks to all who responded to the black pine class. The class is now full. If you were still interested you could send a message and I can put you on a standby list should someone cancel. Apologies to those who missed out, but we may be able to coerce Carol into another if we are nice to her! The knowledge on bonsai she has is amazing, and the greatest thing is her generous willingness to share her depth of knowledge.

02.01.2022 Heres a couple of pics from the Gold Coast Tweed bonsai club meeting last saturday. Evan did a demo with one of the younger small black pines from the nursery. Looks like the future is in good hands! Its so good to see someone displaying what can be done with shohin bonsai, particularly pines. There seems to be a fear of pines, maybe because we get so much conflicting opinions! To this end we will be doing some workshops in the near future solely on pines, the tutor is a very experienced person with black pines in particular. We have been growing pines for shohin bonsai for about 10 years now and they are now ready to start to be shaped and developed. Lots to choose from.

02.01.2022 If you have been looking for some advanced juniper squamatas, we have quite a few released into the nursery. This stock is getting harder and harder to get! Very few people willing to spend 10-15 years growing stock anymore.

02.01.2022 Well all the little guys have hatched, just got to make sure the big carpet snake doesnt get wind of them. So good to have these guys trust us enough to nest so close to the counter! All those little hungry mouths.