Saturday, 26 Sept. was the Open House at Brussel's Bonsai Nursery.  A contingency of Bonsai enthusiasts gathered to look and take advantage of the great "buy" opportunities and to hear/watch a demonstration by Knoxville, TN  Bonsai Artist Bjorn Bjornholm who did a demonstration on a Japanese Black Pine. 

If you look at the photos from the event , you will see  before and after pictures. The tree was definitely shortened and a branch was selected to become the new apex. Side branches were dramatically reduced back to some buds. Bjorn doesn't attempt to make an "instant bonsai" but prepares the plant for its development over the years to come to provide a great bonsai specimen.
Patience, Patience, Patience, a necessary character trait for the bonsai enthusiast
 
When he was a youngster, Bjorn became interested in bonsai when he saw a bonsai at Home Depot and the tree  was bought.  This led to a love and passion for bonsai.  He studied in Japan under a Bonsai Master and then went into business upon his return.  More will be said about him when he makes a Presentation/Demonstration at the Memphis Bonsai Society in April with a one day workshop to follow the next day. As it appears right now, the workshop will be on wiring and tree refinement.  No raw material will be worked on.  The workshop will be limited to eight members.  Cost has not yet been determined.
 
The other photos are of some of the plants that were on exhibit and judging.  There were some great specimens there. And as usual, Brussel, Dana and the staff were great hosts for the event.

See the rest of the photos in the MBS gallery !