December 13, 2025

Robert Baran: Inside Bonsai’s Past & Present History - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep51

    In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

    • NEXT WORKSHOP 01/17/2025 - Bonsai on Tap - Intro to Indoor Bonsai at Nocterra Brewing in Powell (all are welcome!). More details and sign up here.
    • I've added many new pots available for sale. Find them here or at invivobonsai.etsy.com, but generally, if you contact me directly, I can give you a discount from what is listed there. Each Etsy listing comes with free US shipping. I am in the process of adding more trees to my website here also, so stay tuned and check back.
    • NEXT Columbus Bonsai Society meeting: Bonsai Deadwood Styles, Mechanisms, and Methods - 01/18/2026. More info here. Presentation, discussion of member trees, and potential demonstration by yours truly.

    I. Episode Summary & Links

                In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and Ryan sit down with Robert Baran, one of the world’s most respected bonsai historians and researchers. Robert shares the stories behind decades of archived bonsai knowledge and how he built Magiminiland.com into a global resource for miniature tree history. The conversation explores how bonsai traveled across cultures, how early masters shaped the art, and why preserving bonsai history is more important than ever. You’ll hear Robert reflect on his personal journey, his passion for research, and the untold stories that shaped the bonsai world. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves bonsai, history, and the deeper meaning behind miniature trees.

    YouTube version is here!

     The podcast version of Episode 51 is here!⁠

    Guest Info:

                Robert Baran is the bonsai historian and researcher behind the most comprehensive publicly available bonsai archive linked below, which he is continually adding to. He has also written several articles and contributed to books on this subject.

    Sponsor Info:

                This episode is sponsored by our co-host via the Kevin Faris moving sale of bonsai pottery, tools, and trees. View these items at In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA in-person, or online (shipping available) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠⁠⁠, or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com and navigate to the consignment pottery and tree pages.

    For Etsy sales, there is currently a 10% off Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal with the code CYBER25.

    Mailbag submissions/Community:

    Support the Pod:

                Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.


    See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

    October 28, 2025

    Recapping and Tips For Attending the US National Bonsai Exhibition - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep50

    In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

    • NEXT WORKSHOP 11/29/2025 - Intro to Indoor Bonsai at Thrive Coworking in Franklinton/Columbus with the local plant group honey+vine (all are welcome!). More details and sign up here.
    • I've added many new pots available for sale. Find them here or at invivobonsai.etsy.com, but generally, if you contact me directly, I can give you a discount from what is listed there. Each Etsy listing comes with free US shipping.
    • NEXT Columbus Bonsai Society meeting: Make your own pot workshop on 11/16/2025. More info here and get tickets while they last at www.columbusbonsai.org

    I. Episode Summary & Links

                In this episode, Kevin, Kelly, and Ryan share their recent experiences attending the 2025 US National Bonsai Exhibition and share their tips that will help you navigate and get the most out of attending this or other similar bonsai conventions.

    The YouTube version of Episode 50 is here!

    The podcast version of Episode 50 is here!⁠

    Sponsor Info:

                This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA. Find me in person, online offerings at ⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ 
    ⁠to see upcoming events, educational materials, and more.

    Mailbag submissions/Community:

    Support the Pod:

                Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.


    See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

    August 25, 2025

    Growing and Displaying With Moss for Bonsai by Kevin Faris (CBS Lecture) - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep49

    In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

    • September 6, 1-4pm - Japanese Black Pine from Seed Workshop @ Franklin Park Conservatory (hosted by me!)
      • All participants get seeds and some 1-2 year old seedlings, and if interested in a higher tier, an older 4-5 year old seedling is also included. We will explain how seedlings are styled over multiple years so you can see the whole process in one session. Sign up here
    • In the last month, I added many of the tools and supplies I have to my Etsy store. Check them out at invivobonsai.etsy.com but generally, if you contact me directly, I can give you a discount from what is listed there. Each listing comes with free US shipping.
    • I also recently added a number of bonsai pots from Kevin Faris to my website here. Check them out and let me know if any are of interest to you; we are in the process of pricing them and will eventually add those to my Etsy store as well. Free delivery to the US National Bonsai Exhibit next month is available or local pickup in Columbus, OH.

    I. Episode Summary & Links

                In this episode, catch up on what's new with Ryan, Kevin, and Kelly with our new intro segments "What's Growing On" and "Bonsai Bulletin."             Then ~4:01, dive into a talk on how and why to grow or display moss with your bonsai, including its beneficial effects on horticulture and aesthetics. Kevin Faris was the presenting artist for this recorded Columbus Bonsai Society meeting. We hope you learn something new and can share this with those you know who are planning to display their first show tree sometime.

    The YouTube version of Episode 49 is here!

    The podcast version of Episode 49 is here!⁠

    Guest Info:

                Kevin Faris is a born-and-raised Oregon boy turned bonsai artist. He was one of the founding members of the Bonsai Time Podcast in addition to his work at Faris Landscape and Design and his occasional bonsai teaching gigs. He is now based in Western MA, USA.

    Sponsor Info:

                This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio, USA. Find me in person, online offerings at ⁠⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠ 
    ⁠to see upcoming events, educational materials, and more.

    Mailbag submissions/Community:

    Support the Pod:

                Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us or by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.


    See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

    July 19, 2025

    Hows and Whys of Wiring Bonsai with Rob Hoffman (CBS Lecture) - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep48

    In Vivo Bonsai Announcements/Upcoming Events in Columbus

    • July 19-20. Columbus Bonsai Society Annual Show!
      • Details coming soon but there will be vendors, workshops, and great trees! Facebook event here.
    • July 19, 3-5pm - Wild Boxwood Transformation Workshop @ CBS Show (hosted by me!)
      • All participants get a wild collected boxwood or you can select the option to bring your own boxwood. We will discuss steps for transforming these into bonsai from raw material and how I refine them over time. Sign up here
    • September 6, 1-4pm - Japanese Black Pine from Seed Workshop @ Franklin Park Conservatory (hosted by me!)
      • All participants get seeds and some 1-2 year old seedlings and if interested in a higher tier, a older 4-5 year old seedling is also included. We will explain how seedlings are styled over multiple years so you can see the whole process in one session. Sign up here

    I. Episode Summary & Links

                In this episode, catch up on what's new with Ryan, Kevin, and Kelly before diving into a talk on how to wire branches for bonsai styling. Rob Hoffman was the presenting artist for this recorded Columbus Bonsai Society meeting. We hope you learn something new and can share this with those you know who are learning how to wire bonsai.

    The YouTube version of Episode 48 is here!

    The podcast version of Episode 48 is here!⁠

    Guest Info:

    Rob Hoffman of ⁠Yume-en Bonsai⁠ in Marysville, OH. You can also find him traveling to regional bonsai shows, such as the upcoming US National Bonsai Exhibit.

    https://yume-enbonsai.com/

    Sponsor Info:

    This episode is sponsored by the Columbus Bonsai Society 53rd Annual Bonsai Show, July 19-20, 2025 in Columbus, OH, USA. Details at ⁠ColumbusBonsai.org⁠. We have 7 different bonsai workshops there - including from Rob and Ryan - as well as great raffle trees, exhibit trees, and tons of vendors.

    Support the Pod:

                Anytime you listen, subscribe, rate us, or share us with friends you help keep us motivated to keep making episodes for you all! If you want to take it to the next level, you can also help keep the podcast going by donating to us by sponsoring an episode (contact us directly for that). All donations go back into the podcast such as for our web hosting, recording gear expenses, etc.

    See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

    June 17, 2025

    Everything you need to know for the 53rd Annual Columbus Bonsai Society Show! See you July 19-20, 2025

    Last updated 7/18/2025

    The outline for the weekend is included below. As we get more information, I will continue to update this page. Mark your calendars and see you there!

    Sections:

    1. Event Overview
    2. Where & When!
    3. Vendors & Guest Artists in Attendance
    4. Workshop Schedule & Details
    5. Raffle and Sponsor Details
    6. Why & How to Exhibit Trees
    7. Award Categories (and Sponsors)
    8. Why & How to Volunteer
    9. Bonsai Time Podcast Interviews with CBS Show Vendors/Artists