Water is the foundation of bonsai and is the most common way we interact with our plants. In this episode, Addison dives deep into municipal water treatment practices with Eric Forrester of Calgon Carbon. He has worked as a Chemical Engineer for the past 10+ years and has a wealth of experience to draw from. Their interdisciplinary discuss seeks to reveal more behind the intricacies of watering bonsai.

In this episode I try to capture the attitude in the room from the 100th Kokufu Show in Japan! This exhibit is one of the most famous in the world of Bonsai and the Nippon Bonsai Association did not pull any punches for this special 100th anniversary event. It was truly an unforgettable experience, so I wanted to interview a number of folks from hobbyists to pros and get to hear about what's top of mind for them while they're in that exciting atmosphere.

In this episode, Sam Tan and I chat about our plans for the upcoming 100th anniversary Kokufu-ten, one of the world's most prestigious Bonsai exhibitions. Where are we going, what are our learning goals, and what do we hope to buy!? We also sprinkle in some helpful tips for traveling to Japan.

For Jon White, bonsai is about more than just wiring branches—it’s about the people who grow alongside them. As the owner of High Desert Bonsai, Jon has spent years stitching together the Boise bonsai community through a shared love for the craft.In this episode, Jon joins Addison to discuss the evolution of his nursery and shares his expert "field notes" on the delicate art of tree collection. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your first juniper, Jon’s insights on community and collection are not to be missed.

In this episode, Todd Schlafer of First Branch Bonsai joins us to look back on his professional journey to date. We discuss the highs and the lows, and then get into the Colorado bonsai scene, how clubs can steward their local professionals, and then talk about the unique designs of the Rocky Mountain region.

What does it take to build a bonsai nursery from the ground up? Addison joins Dennis Rodinger of Happy Bonsai to explore the logistics and labor behind high-level horticulture. They dive into the reality of the European exhibition circuit, the technical advantages of growing from seed versus bareroot stock, and why many hobbyists plateau due to a lack of intentional practice. If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap between 'hobbyist' and 'professional,' this conversation on discipline and nursery management is a must-listen.

In this episode, Addison and Walker review 2025 progress and discuss goals for the 2026 bonsai season. A core pursuit for Walker this year is to build a purpose built space for bonsai at his property so they discuss why that's important and what it will look like!

In this episode, Addison and Hugh discuss what life is like when a bonsai obsession takes root young. They then get into the allure of native species and discuss what species are up and coming in Australian bonsai. They round out the discussion talking about the "photo finish" in bonsai and what role it plays in today's bonsai world.

In this episode, we flip the script and Jeff runs an informal performance review with me to review my practice for this year. We celebrate some of the successes and surprises of the podcast, and then dive into tracking hours, expenses and accountability in my bonsai practice.

In part 2 of this defining episode for the podcast, I sit down with Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai to talk about a myriad of topics, including the shokunin mentality in Japan, a continuation of our discussion on judging, and a blueprint for success as a hobbyist. If you have any feedback, please drop a comment or reach out to me @TeenyTrees on Instagram.If you haven't yet, please go check out Ryan's podcast, Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry - it inspired a lot of the conversations you hear on my own podcast and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

In part 1 of this defining episode for the podcast, I sit down with Ryan Neil of Bonsai Mirai to talk about a myriad of topics, including how bonsai is a tool for self development, how Japanese and US culture should combine to influence our design decisions, and how bonsai exhibition and judging influences our ecosystem. If you have any feedback, please drop a comment or reach out to me @TeenyTrees on Instagram.This episode is jointly published with Ryan's Podcast, Bonsai Mirai: Asymmetry. If you haven't checked it out, please go listen to some of the amazing material on his channel. It inspired a lot of the conversations I have on my own show and I know you'll enjoy it.

In this special, dual-hosted episode, Jonas Dupuich and I interview Bob Potts of Rough Cut Pottery on his journey through life and bonsai. We then all discuss the North American Bonsai Pottery Competition and Jonas's experience judging it as well as the direction of bonsai pottery in the US.

In this episode, Addison catches up with certified bonsai professional, Kaya Mooney, who recently graduated from Kouka-en in Osaka, Japan. They talk about his decision to stay in Japan and what the true differentiation of a Japanese education is.

In this episode, the 2025 Joshua Roth Styling Competition contestants get back together to discuss what was going through their heads during this unique event. They dive into each person's perspective, share advice for future competitors, and talk about what's next for each of them!

In this episode, Addison and Eric walk through what it takes to grow bonsai at scale and what it has taken to turn bonsaify.com into a successful business. They also discuss Eric's dreams for the Pacific Bonsai Expo and the ecosystem that needs to exist in the US to allow bonsai to thrive.

In this episode, Addison sits down with the owner of Joshua Roth Limited, John Kim. They discuss John's purchase of the company 3 years ago, why he is so passionate about supporting American bonsai's most important events, and of course get into the nitty gritty of what makes a quality tool.

In this episode, Dave and Addison talk about how art and design principles apply to bonsai and what the fundamental components are for building trees and displays that evoke emotion. They also delve into Dave's time spent in Japan and at the Weyerhaeuser collection honing his abilities. They finish with a discussion on whether bonsai is an art or a craft that you won't want to miss!

In this episode, Addison dives into the bonsai journey of his first teacher, Jerry Carpenter. They reminisce about bonsai in the Bay Area and chat about how to put together curriculums for beginners.

In this episode, Addison talks to Brock Arvesen who balances an apprenticeship at Mirai with a second job at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. They dive into how these unique roles came into being and where they both want to see bonsai go in the future!

In this episode, Addison speaks with a friend, Nick Vila, who has gotten a blisteringly fast start to learning bonsai in his first 1.5 years of the hobby. They examine Nick's path so far as well as dive into a number of nuanced conversations around display, collection size, and learning frameworks.

In this Episode, Addison brings together the competitors in the 2025 GSBF Rendezvous Joshua Roth Rising Stars Competition for a meet and greet and some pre competition banter. They discuss their bonsai stories, their goals for the competition and advice for each other. The competitors are Daniel Martinez, Julius Clado, Ian Baker, Matthew Gelacio, Ryan Pitts, and Addison himself!

In this episode, Addison talks with fourth year Aichi-en bonsai apprentice, Andrej Dojcinovic. They talk about how Andrej went from Slovakia to Japan, and dive into what makes Aichie-en special as well as Andrej's plans for after his apprenticeship.

In this episode Addison catches up with a dedicated bonsai hobbyist and host of the Black Pondo Podcast, Jeremiah Lee. They chat about Jeremiah's recent garden build, his journey towards the peak of the hobby, and what podcasts are even good for in bonsai.

In this episode Addison chats with Mark Walker who recently retired and set his sights on having an amazing bonsai collection! They chat about Mark's transition into retirement and the successes and failures he's had in his first year of bonsai.

In this episode, we discuss Andrew's experience doing an American apprenticeship. Andrew shares some great tips on how to learn bonsai based on his time teaching across the US and we discuss the sacrifices you make to do bonsai at a high level.

In this episode, Addison and Sam talk about how to keep pushing yourself as a hobbyist and what the "getting good" journey looks like in the later stages. They also discuss criteria for how to make the most important decision in bonsai... Who should be your teacher?

In this episode of the Bonsai Builders podcast, Addison and Jonas discuss Jonas's journey from his horticultural roots to his tight connections with Japan. They delve into strategies for mastering bonsai techniques and discuss the US bonsai community as well as the finances of bonsai.

Disclaimer: There is a slight audio issue with the guest's mic that shows up when wearing headphones, but I hope the information is helpful for folks.In this episode, we sit down with physical therapist and bonsai practitioner, Dr. Justin Ho to discuss the "Bonsai Body". Just shares his professional framework for preventing injury, demonstrates practical exercizes for common pain points, and explains how to build a sustainable practice so you can enjoy your trees for a lifetime.

Join host Addison Galambos and guest Jeff Ammons as they explore the complexities of learning bonsai, from keeping your trees alive to developing your artistic eye. They discuss the unique challenges of the art form, like it long time scales and share their personal tips for learning horticulture, technique, and design.

In this introductory episode, host Addison Galambos shares his shift from hobbyist to bonsai builder. He outlines the main goal of the podcast and introduces the topics for the initial episodes.