From School Teacher to Bald Cypress Guru: John Geanangel's Story - Ep52
I. Episode Summary & Links
In today's episode, you’ll find Ryan and Kevin catching up on life and then jumping into the interview with a multi-talented former school teacher, master of rock slabs, forest plantings, and South Carolina yamadori collector - John Geanangel. John shared with us his bonsai origin story, how it led to becoming a headliner artist for the Bonsai in the Blue Ridge convention in 2026, and what you can expect when attending his 3(!) Bald cypress workshops there. We also discussed his methods for bald cypress yamadori collecting and growing from seed.
John Geanangel is a bonsai enthusiast passionate about his local scenery and the natives in the South Carolina area. Find more of his work on his Facebook page and YouTube channel, which have lots of great content from previous years of educational efforts and recent tree projects.
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.
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See the relevant images and links from this episode below.
II. Show Notes / Pictures
A. John's Bald Cypress Bonsai Examples
John pictured styling one of his older, mature bald cypress.
Some fresh bald cypress yamadori from John.
Bald or pond cypress forest by John with a alligator accent.
Another mature bald cypress from John.
B. Ancient 3 Sisters' Bald Cypress Swamp
John also mentioned someone by the name of Charles Robbins who led him on tours to and from this remote, ancient swamp. You can find his information here.
An example of a mature bald cypress in the 3 Sister's swamp. Note the many knees which they form naturally, perhaps for oxygen exchange. John has many other pictures from his trip there on his Facebook.
C. John's Rock Slab, Forest, and Other Bonsai Examples
In addition to these examples of John's work, you can also see Ryan's previous workshop with John where they planted his truckstop elm on a rock slab here. The basic steps are documented by photographs. Ryan has also written a protocol for the method, available on request.
Hinoki Cypress? forest.
Kingsville boxwood forest
Small native deciduous forests. John uses things like elm, hornbeam, and hophornbeam in these.
Trident maple forest on granite slab.
Mixed species forest featuring native deciduous and tall junipers. This can emulate some South Carolina environments where young pine seedlings grow in sunny patches in the forest that open after fire or treefalls and then deciduous grow in the shade once the pines are mature.
Hinoki cypress in lava rock?
Mixed species bald cypress and other native deciduous forest.
Kingsville boxwood styled as a southern live oak.
John with Virginia pines.
John styled these boxwoods, I believe, as a row of plantation live oaks, which can be seen in many places in the southern US. This was photographed at the Winter Silhouette show.
More native deciduous or mixed species forests by John. He teaches both the near-view and far-view forest designs as distinct. Can you tell the difference in the examples shared here and in prior pictures?
The Bonsai Time Podcast is hosted, edited, & produced by Kevin Faris, Ryan Huston, & Kelly Lui. Learn more about the podcast at the links below. We expect to post new interviews and reflections monthly!
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