Behind the Scenes at the Green Witch Gardens - Ep 38

I. Episode Summary & Links

In this episode, Ryan sat down with Ellen Veselenak and Mellissa Marguerite of the Green Witch Gardens (formerly known as The Flower Market) in Monroe, Michigan. In the interview, the gang discussed Melissa's and Ellen's personal history with plants, how they came to purchase The Flower Market, their approach to caring for Michigan's largest bonsai nursery, and their long term goals for their nursery and for the local bonsai society. This was an in person interview that was recorded while Ryan was in town for a program with the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society. Please excuse any extraneous background noises from a working nursery.

The YouTube version of Episode 38 is here!⁠

The podcast version of Episode 38 is here!

Guest Info:

This episode features Melissa and Ellen of the Green Witch Gardens in Monroe, MI. Check them out for their fall sale at their nursery or find them at the upcoming Winter Silhouette Show in Kannapolis, NC December 7-8 2024. 

• Nursery website
• GWG Instagram
• GWG Facebook
• GWG TikTok
• GWG Patreon

⁠⁠⁠⁠Sponsor Info: 

This episode is sponsored by (me!) In Vivo Bonsai of Columbus, Ohio. Find me in person, at ⁠invivobonsai.etsy.com⁠, or go to ⁠⁠https://www.InVivoBonsai.com⁠/ ⁠to see upcoming events, expanding online offerings, educational materials, and more. Currently I am running a Cyber Monday sale through 12/4/2024 for in person and Etsy sales - 25% off any purchase of $40 or more.

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 through Spotify 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. Even $1/month would be a great help!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonsaitimepodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

See the relevant images and links from this episode below.

Inside Out with Tori Solis: A Reversed Episode - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 25

 ⁠I. Episode Summary & Links

            Our first episode of 2024 is a collaboration with Tori Solis of Blue Nose Trading. In the first half of our two-part interview, we interviewed Tori to understand her artistic perspective in ceramics and discuss the motivations for her new podcast. That episode is live now as episode 1 of "The Bonsai Pot-cast". Next in this episode, Tori interviewed us about our involvement in bonsai clubs, tips for getting involved, and a smattering of other subjects such as invasive species yamadori.

For our interview of Tori (Bonsai Pot-cast episode 1), see here.

For Tori's interview of us, the video version is available here:

⁠

For Tori's interview of us, the podcast version is available here. 

Guest Info:

Tori Solis is a multi-talented artist specializing in bonsai pottery, other ceramics, and jewelry. Her beautiful work, tips for techniques, and her new Bonsai Pot Cast series can be found at the links below. ⁠https://linktr.ee/BlueNoseTrading

Sponsor Info: 

<INSERT YOUR AD HERE>. Email us at bonsaitimepodcast@gmail.com if you would like to discuss sponsoring an episode! Sponsor information will be read on air and be included in the show notes.

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 through Spotify 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. Even $1/month would be a great help!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonsaitimepodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

More pictures of Tori's work are below.

A Very Bonsai New Year: Goals for 2024 - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 24

 ⁠I. Episode Summary & Links

            In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, your hosts Ryan, Kelly, and Kevin continue the New Year episode tradition of reflecting on how we have been doing on the podcast and in our bonsai lives last year and what we resolve to continue or improve for 2024. The future is bright! We hope you will continue enjoying the Bonsai Time ride with us. Have a happy holidays to you and your family!

The video version is available here:

⁠

The podcast version is available here. 

Guest Info:

(no guest today)

Sponsor Info: 

<INSERT YOUR AD HERE>. Email us at bonsaitimepodcast@gmail.com if you would like to discuss sponsoring an episode! Sponsor information will be read on air and be included in the show notes.

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 through Spotify 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. Even $1/month would be a great help!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bonsaitimepodcast/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What to Do With Your Bonsai in Winter With Julian Tsai - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 22

            In this episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, we have part 1 of a winter solstice/Christmas special featuring Ryan, Kelly, Kevin, and Julian Tsai. In Part 1, we catch up with Julian regarding how he transitioned into being a full-time bonsai professional and we dive into the subject of what can we do as bonsai artists in winter and what might be risky to do in colder climates at this time of year. Stay tuned for Part 2 later this week where we will discuss the history of certain trees in traditional celebrations of the winter solstice and Christmas.

The video version is available here:

The podcast version is available here:

Bonsai Stories and Other BS with Dennis Makashima! Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 18-20

           In the latest episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and Ryan welcome Dennis Makashima. Dennis has been a witness and active participant in bonsai history as he learned from many of the greats of California Bonsai and even inherited many of their trees. Although Dennis is a second-generation Japanese American, he found himself drawn into the same line of work as many Japanese were at that time - gardening and aesthetic tree pruning. This is what ultimately drew him into bonsai and eventually a bonsai apprenticeship in Japan. Ultimately Dennis' own contributions to the art stand proud as he taught aesthetic tree pruning at Merritt College and served as president for the Golden State Bonsai Federation. Dennis also went into great detail regarding how he worked to improve GBSF during his tenure for the clubs and local scene. We hope you enjoy his many BS stories as much as we did!

Dennis Makashima is a long-time pillar of the Bay Area and the greater California bonsai scene. We are grateful for his time and for sharing his experiences! You can learn more about Dennis' life story in his upcoming autobiographical book "Mr. Omoshiori: Journal of a Sansei Baby Boomer and Bonsai Sensei". The book will come out in early 2024 and is being published by the Zentoku Foundation.

PART 1 - The video version is available here*:

*Check out our new YouTube channel! ⁠⁠⁠

PART 1 - Podcast version available here:

First Year Reflections for the Bonsai Time Podcast - Ep 12

            In today's episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Ryan and Kevin reflect on their journey from 2022 including their learning curve in starting the podcast. They also covered what they are looking forward to for 2023 with the podcast, their bonsai gardens, and the local bonsai clubs they are involved in.

See the video interview on YouTube.

Or find the podcast in your podcast apps and on Anchor.fm.

Tips for Bonsai Show Planning from Jonas Dupuich and the Pacific Bonsai Expo - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 09

        In the ninth episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, Kevin and I were fortunate to be joined by Jonas Dupuich! Aside from being a well-known American bonsai artist, Jonas is also the owner of the Bonsai Tonight Blog, and author of the Little Book of Bonsai. Together with Eric Schrader of Bonsaify, Jonas is now busy creating a new regional bonsai show - the Pacific Bonsai Expo! Jonas shared with us behind-the-scenes details for the show including some unannounced features attendees can look forward to. We also covered advice and unique ideas Jonas had for local and regional bonsai shows to make their events as memorable as possible.

Listen to the episode on Youtube.

Or, listen to the episode in your podcast app of choice.

On the Road with Mark Passerrello - Bonsai Time Podcast Ep 08

            In the eighth episode of the Bonsai Time Podcast, my co-host Kevin recorded an interview with CBS president and local potter Mark Passerrello while they were en route to a bonsai workshop. Kevin and Mark went over how Mark found himself in the world of bonsai, his approach to bonsai ceramics, and building confidence in a world full of imposter syndrome as he started his business Ancient Art Bonsai. Mark now regularly sells the pots he makes at local Columbus art events as well as accent plants and bonsai trees for beginner audiences (see pictures below). Kevin and Mark also discussed their experiences with bonsai clubs and how clubs could be made more welcoming to new members as well as Mark's gentle approach to catching the interest of the public during outreach events. Enjoy!

            Mark is one of several prominent bonsai artists who will be in attendance & vending at the upcoming Columbus Bonsai Society 50th Annual Show taking place in September. See here or www.columbusbonsai.org for more information.

Listen to the episode on Youtube.

Or, listen to the episode in your podcast app of choice.