Alpineart's Blog

This was purchased for $35  just 4 weeks ago . I slip potted it using my usual method explained here in my blog . It has been potted into a 400mm plastic pot to allow for some root growth over the next 2 years . It is what i would class as a multi trunk or triple trunk , although the 2 lower  outer trunks are basically branches . I have decided to transform this into a quality trainer for with several options included . Firstly i start by cutting 2 V’s above the union of the branches but into the trunk . This will allow the outer trunks to be compressed into the main trunk for the purpose required . Using a sliding clamp both outer trunks are compressed together and a sharp knife is used to slice the bark to give a reference point for the spiral grooves required to embed the branches/trunks into the main trunk . This will help all 3 trunks to fuse together quicker rather than simply applying pressure and wiring . With both trunks marked in a spiral around the central leader i use a Dremel with a fine cutter to scollop out a spiral groove  for the branch to sit snug into , a sliver of bark is removed from the outer trunk so wood meets wood and the bark lines up to the best of my ability . This is done and then clamped together , a stainless steel screw is then drilled and screwed into both branch and trunk , i have worked on an area of 150mm at a time embedding , screwing and wiring up as i progress up the trunk . This allows me to utilize any movement that may be troublesome . If any branches needed removing from the outer trunks they are severed flush with the bark .No branches were removed from the main leader , however the leader was pre arched to alleviate any possible chance of snapping any trunk when the major bends will be applied .

. Working up the trunk to where the apex is required i then single out the apex leader and continue to groove and screw the remaining 2 trunks together . With all the trunks finished i applied 4-5 smaller wires at a realativley step angle for a future spiral shari , then   2-3  heavy wires were applied for the purpose of bending the trunk into shape  . A  hook and hold wire was applied to the base and i have inserted a 30mm block  to begin the trunk bending process

and then tightened to aid the rotation of the trunk into a cascade fashion . The apex was then wired into position . At days end this was left then continued on the next morning , i stripped off the unwanted needles and began to wire the side branches .All the tips were pinched out a the 3 main leaders were removed .After the wiring was completed , the block at the base was rotated to the 60mm position, this increased the first bend ,  i then simply styled it into a semi cascade . More movement will be continually added to the base over the coming months Now this is not the finished trainer ,i have left all the lower branches in place to use as sacrifice branches to fatten the trunk and aid the fusing process. In time these will be layered off for new trainers and the stubs jinned along with the shari the wires will create .

This will resemble a collected yamadori trunk in a few years time , like the Northern hemisphere guys take for granted .Unfortunately we from the Land Down Under don’t get to collect old aged knarly pines due to the fact they were all introduced species from up north about 90 -140  years ago .If i  want it i must create it , there lies the challenge , i have left the door open on this one for 3 possible styles .1; leave it as is for a semi cascade  2; layer to apex off for a small informal upright and a full cascade  3;  layer the tail off for a cascade and use the lower trunk and apex for a larger informal upright . Plenty of options on this trainer , no thing set in concrete as yet .

If i haven’t killed it with this torture i can always kill it with kindness . The finished height for the Apex is 400mm , from apex to tail it measures 900mm . This exercise took about 8 hours over 2 days due to the plus 35 degree hot Summer days .All in all a good days work for an old fella .

Cheers Alpineart

This was a quick trim and wire ,very quick originally a potted plant from a Supermarket . A christmas tree  , so here it is as a Bonsai trainer Christmas tree. Merry Christmas one and all and a Happy and Safe New Year . Cheers Alpineart

These were purchased from Melbourne last year , trimmed and allowed to recover and grow on and have been growing nicely over the last  few months so i have decided a re-pot and another trim was in order .These 2 tree’s have the air layer still attached and will need at least another season on top to hopefully produce the roots which will enable me to remove them .Until such time the lower section of the trunks will,undergo a pre -trim and style as do all my trainers .Removing the smaller tree was easy as the plastic pot was tapered the

other larger tree was in a bowl type terracotta/stoneware pot .Removal was almost impossible without breaking the pot .Rather than smash the pot off I decided to cut the pot down and save the lower section to create a Crescent type pot, waste not want not . Using an angle grinder with a diamond blade i simply cut around it on about a 30 degree angle and tilted the tree over for an easy removal . I will put the pot to good use after i have carved the crescent shape into the salvaged section .With both tree’s removed

i simple utilized the “Simple Slip Potting” technique  to good use buy slicing the root ball several times around the top of the root mass all the way to the bottom .

This works a treat with all nursery grown stock no matter how large the tree’s are . Teasing the roots out and

potting into 450mm plastic pots was then next step .

Using an open Bonsai mix these will now have some room to expand the roots and grow on . A trim has been done on both lower trunks in readiness for a pre – style of the lower sections . Tree number 1 has very little lower branches , basically 3 useful whorls so i have decided to use a smaller branch as a thread graft , another has been prepared and will be placed to fill a void  in the mid-upper section .

One of the uppermost branches has also been used to form the new apex . Tree number 2 has numerous branches not in whorls and has a greater appeal for a balanced design plan .Numerous branches were cut back and wire tournaquet’s placed on the ends to prevent bleeding or sap lose , these will form part of the jin and shari work for this future Bonsai . All the outer branch shoots have been reduced to replicate a collected yamadori Spruce , something that most people take for granted in the Northern Hemisphere , alas we don’t have collect-able coniferous species growing in Australia much older than 100years . These specimens aged around this era are in Botanical Gardens or the occasional test plot , Collect-able material is usually quite young as it has taken many years to establish the original tree’s  then have them germinate self sown seedlings which are basically destroyed by the land owners or by Bush Fires. Every now and again i manage to find a specimen worthy of collecting or purchasing with the intention of producing an aged looking bonsai . Most material i use is less than 20 years old so i’m behind the 8 ball when i comes to material quality .Now the hard works has been done both trunks will get their first wire and style then it onto the next much smaller trainers .

Cheers Alpineart