The Black Pondo Podcast

• #33 PBE Companion w/ Peter Tea, Eric Schrader and Cesar Ordonez

  Pacific Bonsai Expo Companion  Follow along in your 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo book with Peter Tea, Eric Schrader, Cesar Ordonez, and Jeremiah Lee as they recap and revisit the historic event that was the 2024 Pacific Bonsai Expo. This episode is a deep dive for the hardcore bonsai enthusiasts. Together, we discuss the size categories, the future of the PBE, and how the Expo has influenced and changed the landscape of American bonsai. We also explore the idea of competition in bonsai, and each guest shares their unique perspectives on many of the incredible trees that were on display and a whole lot more. Grab your copy of the PBE book, follow along, and enjoy an in-depth conversation that celebrates the artistry, community, and evolution of bonsai in America. Tree-specific discussion starts at 1:16:00. Guests on Instagram:Peter Tea — @peterteabonsai Eric Schrader — @ericschraderbonsai & @bonsaifyonlineCesar Ordonez — @cencalbonsaiJeremiah Lee — @jlee_bonsai  Follow the Black Pondo Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.      Chapters (00:00:00) - Henka Bonsai(00:01:01) - Henka Bonsai(00:02:19) - An informal chat about politics(00:03:08) - PBE: A Year in the Life(00:05:26) - Meet Eric Schroeder(00:06:28) - Jonah and Cesar(00:07:53) - Intro to Bonsai Pottery(00:08:57) - Adam Levine At The Pot Competition(00:10:23) - Peter Bonsai's New Project Potting(00:12:24) - Eric and Cesar at the Rendezvous(00:14:08) - How was the event overall(00:15:16) - The New Talent Competition(00:18:21) - Back to the Trees(00:20:04) - where can people buy your bonsai trees?(00:24:53) - How To Ship a Giant Bonsai Tree(00:28:51) - PBE vs Bonsai(00:31:39) - PBE Bonsai Show(00:37:09) - Do You Think Competition is Good in Bonsai?(00:40:20) - Does Anyone Really Want to Win the Bonsai Expo(00:47:24) - Pacific Bonsai Book Review(00:52:15) - Favorite Action Shots in The Book(00:55:12) - PBE 2021: Moving the Fall Show to Pleasanton(00:59:48) - Deciduous Trees In Leaf(01:05:14) - PBE: Is It For Hardcore People?(01:10:45) - Bonsai Expo and More Workshops(01:13:25) - Have You Ever Talked About Combining the Expo With the Rend(01:16:29) - Tree Trees of Washington(01:16:48) - The Best Shohin Awards(01:17:26) - Trees in the Collection(01:18:26) - Shohin Display: Five Trees in a Box(01:25:20) - The Shohin Tree Contest(01:26:08) - How To Display Trees in a Traditional Box(01:28:56) - Medium T-Shirt(01:29:16) - Best Medium Bonsai Tree(01:29:47) - This Kishu Juniper Was Originally Classified as a Sh(01:33:44) - Kishu Juniper Wins(01:39:07) - Bonsai Progression(01:43:07) - The Elm and Juniper Bonsai(01:47:18) - Cork Album Display(01:49:16) - Baby Trees in the Garden(01:49:37) - Kishu Juniper(01:54:29) - Tree tips for showing off a California tree(01:57:40) - Bonsai: Full Trees(02:03:44) - Best Large Deciduous Tree(02:04:37) - Have Sizes Become More Important in Bonsai?(02:09:31) - Bonsai Size Categories(02:14:13) - Korean Hornbeam, 22 inches(02:19:56) - A Very Nice Hornbeam Tree(02:26:50) - This hornbeam is just a joke(02:29:53) - David Niddall's Tree(02:34:43) - Best in Show(02:35:58) - This Cryptomeria Is Unrecognizably Beautiful(02:41:37) - The Best in Show Tree(02:45:14) - Bonsai Display: Eric's Tree(02:49:12) - He Made A Bonsai Trident(02:51:54) - Kishu Juniper Grafted From One Graft(02:56:05) - Is Kishu Harder to Grow in San Francisco?(02:58:28) - Black Pines 101(03:02:02) - Jonas's Tree Wins Maple Competition(03:05:57) - 70 on 70... The Stand(03:07:37) - "Three Legged" Oak Stand(03:10:58) - Oak vs. Coast Live Oak(03:14:53) - Unglazed and Glazed Oaks Pot(03:18:34) - Michael Hagedorn's Pine on a Metal Table(03:22:43) - Bonsai 101: Journey of the Artist(03:26:30) - "That's rad!"(03:26:41) - Todd Schlafer's Ponderosa Tree(03:30:19) - Potter Todd Benda's(03:33:34) - Oh, Monkey Dreams(03:33:56) - Tree Displaying A Star Wars Elephant(03:38:50) - A Bonsai Expo 2017(03:40:42) - 24 Expo Books Almost Sold Out(03:41:19) - NFL Players on Sleep

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• #32 Austin Heitzman

  In this episode of The Black Pondo Podcast, I sit down with Austin Heitzman—bonsai table and furniture maker based in Portland, OR. I consider Austin one of the true national treasures of American bonsai, and in this conversation, we dive deep into the world of bonsai display tables. We explore how he got started, how his unique style has evolved over time, and where he sees his work heading in the future. Austin shares his insights on pairing stands with trees, his preferences between total creative freedom and guided commissions, and his thoughtful, innovative approach to wood selection. We also talk about where he finds inspiration, the balance between classic and modern design, and what makes a great patron when commissioning a custom stand. It's a fun and thoughtful conversation for anyone who appreciates the finer details that elevate bonsai display to an art form. Check out Austin’s incredible work at: www.austinheitzmanfurniture.com Instagram: @austinheitzmanfurniture   Chapters (00:00:00) - The National Bonsai Show(00:03:32) - How Did You Get To the National(00:04:24) - Bonsai Lessons in the Fossils(00:09:02) - Woodworking and Bonsai: Which Came First?(00:15:36) - Brazilian Rosewood Made a Guitar(00:19:38) - Do You Bonsai With Brazilian Rosewood?(00:23:13) - Walnut, Cherry and More(00:25:31) - Does Figure Matter in Bonsai Tables?(00:31:09) - Portland artist and carpenter ants(00:35:25) - In the Elevator With Woodworkers(00:39:14) - Michael Hagedorn on Bonsai(00:46:02) - Austin's Bonsai(00:50:26) - Bonsai Artist Describes His Style(00:52:29) - What Is Traditional Woodwork?(00:56:47) - Black Pondo Bonsai Podcast(00:59:59) - Would You Make a Traditional Japanese Stand?(01:00:41) - PBE Furniture: The Kokufu Stand(01:05:08) - Bonsai Studio: Being a Patron(01:08:55) - Working With a Single Vision(01:11:09) - What is Manzanita Lumber?(01:15:50) - Manzanita(01:21:33) - Wood Kiln Dry: Manzanita, Red Bud(01:28:48) - The Manita in Person(01:29:10) - How To Match Up A Bonsai Stand(01:34:03) - How To Build a Deciduous Bonsai Stand(01:38:19) - Tree Stand Height in the US vs Japan(01:45:03) - Isaiah's Tree at the National(01:46:59) - Do Darker Tones Work Better For Bonsai Stands(01:52:23) - Walnut, Mahogany(01:59:44) - Darkwoods for Bonsai(02:04:42) - Future of Bonsai(02:09:49) - Austin the Playwright Gets a Speech

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• #31 Julian Tsai, Cesar Ordoñez and Adam Toth

  In this episode, I hang out with: Julian Tsai – @bontsai Cesar Ordoñez – @cencalbonsai Adam Toth – @adam.jp.bon We catch up on what’s new in their lives and dive into a wide-ranging discussion on bonsai, with a strong focus on aesthetics and appreciation. It’s always a blast connecting with these guys—hope you enjoy the conversation!   Chapters (00:00:00) - Adam Koh(00:01:47) - Bonsai Lessons by Julian Covid(00:03:14) - Adam and Julian on Bonsai(00:07:50) - Cesar on His New California Presence(00:09:23) - Bonsai Update!(00:14:39) - Representation of California on the EWTN(00:14:59) - Cesar On His Dad Digging Up Olives For Him(00:16:49) - RO system up and running(00:17:58) - Adam's Bonsai Update(00:20:50) - How to Edit a YouTube Video(00:29:02) - Adam on Bonsai(00:35:03) - Does Becoming a Bonsai Professional Take the Passion Out of(00:44:25) - Bonsai: Client expectations(00:47:50) - Bonsai Aesthetic Issues(00:54:45) - Julian on Jiu Jitsu(00:56:47) - My Three Favorite Species for Bonsai(00:57:25) - What Is The Goal Of Bonsai?(01:02:42) - Does Mochikomi Mean Anything In Bonsai?(01:10:03) - Is the Cultivated Age More Important Than The Real Age in B(01:14:45) - How Old Can You Make a Bonsai Tree?(01:18:32) - My 3 Favorite Species For Bonsai(01:24:21) - A tree with a single branch(01:24:58) - What Makes A Good Chinese Quince?(01:33:00) - Chinese Quinces(01:38:23) - Tree in Your Palm(01:38:57) - 5 Tips For Better Bonsai Skills(01:44:48) - on Peter's Bonsai(01:47:58) - How to Get Better at Bonsai (Julian)(01:52:48) - PODCAST: Naka Memorial Episode 3(01:54:04) - TALKING TO MY FANS

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• #30 Bob Ricker and Julian Tsai at the Naka Memorial Exhibit

  This past weekend, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Bob Ricker and Julian Tsai at the John Naka Memorial Exhibit in Southern California—a truly inspiring gathering for bonsai enthusiasts. Bob Ricker is a dedicated student of Peter Tea and currently serves as Vice President of the American Bonsai Association in Sacramento. His passion and craftsmanship are evident in every tree he touches. You can follow his journey on Instagram: @bonsai_bob_ Julian Tsai is a Los Angeles-based bonsai professional whose vision and leadership brought the Naka Memorial Exhibit to life. His work continues to elevate the art form and build community around it. Find him on Instagram: @bontsai_   Episode Picture-Hinoki on display at the Naka Memorial Exhibit, from the Jeff Stern collection, brought by Peter Tea.  Chapters (00:00:00) - Black Pondo Podcast: Baby Trees(00:00:29) - Bonsai Exhibition & Feast in Little Tokyo LA(00:05:41) - Interviewing Bob Ricker and Julian Tsai(00:08:51) - White Mountains Tree Collecting(00:12:29) - Bonsai Club Member tips for collecting trees(00:15:41) - Bonsai Club members collect Suiseki and other rocks(00:17:13) - Working under Peter's Tree Garden(00:19:14) - Working With Peter Clinch(00:22:27) - "It's fun to play hockey(00:22:38) - How To Build Trees(00:26:27) - Bob Bonsai on the Future(00:31:01) - How to Build a Bonsai Tree(00:35:09) - How many trees would you say you have or projects you have?(00:36:13) - Bonsai Collection Final Goal(00:39:25) - Do You Graft Your Trees?(00:43:09) - Bob Chaiman On Daydreaming About Collecting Redwoods(00:45:35) - A bonsai with a tree trunk(00:48:17) - How to grow a dwarf oak tree(00:53:23) - Ripping a Bonsai Tree Out of the Ground(00:54:34) - Jeff Lowe on the John Naka Memorial Show(00:56:26) - Bob Bonsai on Working Full Time(00:58:37) - The Bonsai Collection at the Huntington(01:03:45) - Questions about the Brooklyn Museum(01:03:57) - "We Talked..."(01:04:08) - The Nan Fukai Memorial Exhibition(01:06:50) - The John Naka Bonsai Exhibit(01:10:12) - John Noka's Legacy(01:11:12) - Trees for the Exhibition(01:13:02) - Volunteers are needed for the exhibition(01:15:03) - The Descent Tour(01:15:49) - How to maintain your health in bonsai

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• #29 Catching up with Mike Pistello of MVP Bonsai

  In this episode, we sit down with Mike Pistello of MVP Bonsai-a longtime practioner, Joshua Roth talent contest winner and PBE award recipient.  We cover a wide array of bonsai topics, from technique and design philosophy to the state of the art today.   You can see Mike's work on his Instagram at mvpbonsai  Chapters (00:00:00) - Black Pondo Podcast(00:01:15) - Bob Boone on Bonsai and His Training(00:03:36) - Joshua Roth Bonsai Contest(00:07:31) - Tutorials on Juniper Bonsai(00:10:13) - Bob Bonsai's(00:17:09) - What Are Your Long Term Goals With Bonsai?(00:21:16) - What Is It With Bonsai and Its Old People?(00:29:41) - RIP Johnny Boone's Bonsai Nursery(00:36:04) - Grafting a Sierra Juniper Tree(00:42:03) - Yamadori root graft(00:47:07) - Grafting Black Pine onto Ponderosa(00:52:33) - How to Keep Your Bonsai Trees Healthy(00:58:18) - Bob's Bonsai Collection(01:02:53) - Peter T. Jones on Building a Good Bonsai Collection(01:08:49) - How to Get a Good Deal on Bonsai(01:14:30) - Who To Buy Bonsai From?(01:19:34) - In the Elevator With Steven Spielberg(01:20:05) - You Sold Your Big Oak Tree(01:26:00) - This 100-Year-Old Oak Bonsai(01:30:50) - Valley Oak collectible(01:33:31) - How to Care for Your Oak Trees(01:36:58) - Bonsai 101: Partial bare root(01:43:17) - This Oak Is A Hybrid Oak(01:45:18) - What Would You Like To Have As a Bonsai Tool?(01:50:20) - Carving With Natural Deadwood

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