This is the monster i collected back in Sept’ 2009 previously post after collection .It was potted into a 400mm plastic pot then transfered into this 700mm x 500mm bonsai dish .
This is its first season of actual training 
.The Method of pinch and grow will be used on this tree , 
the others in my collection will be allowed to grow on and be trimmed back .
I hope to somehow stimulate flowering using either method .Other regemes are in place and are varied to help determine if they will/which is the best , methods to use to aid flowering
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This is well over due , layering my big Maple for the second year purchased for $15.95 on Ebay .
Last year i set 12 layers on this tree , however a fungus attack killed all but 3 of the layers . 
This time around a different approach to the set up using the ring bark method and adding wire to the section as per pines 
.I have also added the v cuts to increase the area to be layered and to guide the callous/ roots down towards the wire were they should spread away from the hardwood and sprout strong radial roots .When using wire set on an angle to suit the trunk movement a small “V”cut in the wood prevents it from slipping down , 200mm pots and a mixture of 50% Spagnum moss 10% Quarts sharps and 40% Scoria by volume . I have another garden tree which i will set approximately 2 dozen layers on then remove the trunk as a borer attack every year has taken its toll .With the section set the split pot is then attached and duct taped together,
for added security a wire is used to hold the pot up whilst loading the mixture inside .A pot of this size weighs about 1.5 kgms wet so the wire will be left on .
With the first layer set i move onto the other remaining trunks .After 3 hours all 4 trunks were set and its off to the next tree . The trunks range from 60mm to 90mm 
so hopefully next season i will have some rather good large trainers to style .
Cheers Alpineart
Hi all and welcome to the site . Whilst blogging is not new to me previously starting with http://alpinebonsart.blogspot.com several years ago , the opportunity to join Ausbonsai.com.au and participate in the forum has lead to this site . I will endeavour to post on a regular basis and give details of methods , materials and info relevant to my methods of styling and manufacturing . This is a sneak peek at the training benches
for collected pines Maples and Elms .These are some of my Bonsai/Trees under shade sails 
for the Summer and to prevent hail damage . The seed growing beds from which i produce all of my growing stock and pre-train in their first and second year .The stock is 75% Crab Apple and 25% American Hornbeam 
The larger grow bed for seed growing , cuttings and fattening/fusing trunks , Japanese Maples , Trident Maples , Crab Apples and Cherries at various stages of training and growth .
With Summer approaching these beds will be covered with 30%shade cloth to prevent sun burn and scorching of the ground .The corner shade cover is for collected Yamadori and finally the green house/shelter 
all up several thousand plants have been grown and collected for the sole use in Bonsai / living art . Organized chaos with a touch of insanity but i know every plant and pot . Cheers Alpineart