#42 Peter Tea

About this episode

Episode 42 features a conversation with bonsai professional Peter Tea about his experiences in Japan and insights into bonsai design.

Episode 42 of the Black Pondo Podcast features a deep and engaging conversation with bonsai professional Peter Tea. Following his recent trip to Japan, Peter shares his experience attending the historic Koku Fu 100 exhibition and visiting the renowned Aichi-en nursery. From there, the discussion dives into the technical side of bonsai design, with a detailed exploration of apex creation and how the apex influences the structure and development of an entire tree. The conversation also explores Peter’s growing study of Japanese aesthetics and why he personally feels it’s an important area of study for his own artistic development and understanding of bonsai. Along the way, we discuss oak bonsai, artistic philosophy, tree design, and much more. Whether you’re interested in advanced bonsai techniques or the broader artistic ideas behind the craft, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. You can find out more about Peter Tea at PTbonsai.com or on IG @peterteabonsai.

People in this episode

Host: Lee Bonsai

Guest: Peter Tea

Topics covered

• bonsai design
• Japanese aesthetics
• artistic philosophy
• tree design
• oak bonsai

Keywords

• bonsai
• Japanese aesthetics
• Koku Fu 100
• Aichi-en
• artistic philosophy
• tree design
• oak bonsai

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: PTbonsai.com, Aichi-en

More episodes of The Black Pondo Podcast

• #41 Todd Schlafer - First Branch Bonsai · April 30, 2026 · 1h 24m
• #40 Austin Heitzman · April 24, 2026 · 2h 13m
• #39 Addison Galambos · April 17, 2026 · 2h 34m
• #38 Seth Nelson · February 14, 2026 · 2h 53m
• #37 Peter Tea- Part 2 - Deciduous Bonsai · January 21, 2026 · 1h 26m
• #36 Peter Tea - Part 1 · January 20, 2026 · 1h 11m