Shimpaku Group - Directions

[MJL]

I briefly mentioned these trees in another thread but have decided to move them to here in the progression forum because people can then learn from my mistakes as the progression rolls out. If something good comes from it - all the better.

The story starts here:

I purchased five reasonably sh!t Shimpaku yesterday. Partly to determine if it is possible to polish a turd and partly to learn. Actually, mostly to learn and if I can polish it into something - cool.

Yep, five pot bound, misshapen leggy trees slow growing Shimpaku juniper. $67 in the toilet.

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Since then, I’ve been playing with various ideas. One of the benefits of having a small courtyard garden is that I can set up concepts, potter around the house, do some chores and continually look at a design through the day... in truth, it kinda stuffs with my head a bit but hey, confusion precedes clarity.

I have a some movement to work with down low but had to wire the trees too. Then I started to play:

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I think I can only drop 5 photos a time - so I’ll stop here by saying - I was happy but then someone noted that it reminded them of a windbreak and while it’s great that it represented something ... a windbreak was a description that meant I have more work to do. More photos and ideas on my next post.



Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[MJL]

So I got drawing - I can’t draw but here ‘tis anyway!

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Yeah, crap drawing but it allowed me to think about how this set of trees could better wrap their arms around me - the viewer.

I also wanted a sloping dual mounded landscape ... for no other reason than I wanted a sloping, dual moulded landscape.

So now I am planning on standing the trees on the first mound up a bit higher and have the branches travelling right and wrapping to the front of the scene.

The second lower mound will have the 2 other trees laying much lower.

So here’s where I have landed now.
Front

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Back

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Now I’ll muse for another 24 hrs.

The pot will also be a challenge - I love it but it’s bl@@dy low.

Hmmmm - great fun, this hobby.

In the end, I am trying to plant something that I can enjoy now but progress into something much better over time.

I may attempt a repot tomorrow - not sure.

Enjoy your evening.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[Ryszil]

Well, for what its worth I like it. I've been wanting to do a group planting for a while now and this has given me some inspiration. Nice to look at and will give you lots to tinker with over the years.

regardless of how it turns out when you consider the hours of time you'll end up spending on it, $67 is a pretty cheap rate if you ask me

[MJL]

Thanks Ryszil. Appreciate the feedback.

Yeah - I reckon your right about the $’s - it is good value when considered in that light.

Cheers,

Mark




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[Ryszil]

Mate I love having either a coffee or beer in one hand and sitting back contemplating what can be. Very relaxing (and a shari load cheaper than a psychologist )

How do you plan on holding the soil in place in such a low pot? I saw some sort of clay sort of looking stuff at a bonsai convention I went to last year (I think it was clay looking, dont really remember), I think it was put around the edges to hold everything back until it had gotten to the stage where it held itself together and it was then removed. Sorry I'd love to be able to supply some constructive ideas for you but I'm well and truly a noob when it comes to this

[Grant Bowie]

viewtopic.php?f=131&t=15916&p=162615&hi ... ku#p162615

Something like the above could be easily attained from your type of leggy material material , and then taken a lot further once healthy. This group has become an absolute stunner in the last year or two, photo attached is from about 5 years ago.

Grant

[gnichols]

Maybe it's just me but that link doesn't seem to be working Grant.

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[anthonyW]

The link is fine.

Its you mate.

[Ryszil]

Maybe it's just me but that link doesn't seem to be working Grant.

Yep, it's you, otherwise your response would have been... 'wow'

[MJL]

viewtopic.php?f=131&t=15916&p=162615&hi ... ku#p162615

Something like the above could be easily attained from your type of leggy material material , and then taken a lot further once healthy. This group has become an absolute stunner in the last year or two, photo attached is from about 5 years ago.

Grant

Thank you for your thoughts Grant and for linking back to the thread - quite brilliant to see work like this. On a related note, I have been fortunate enough to visit the Arboretum twice now (short visits in between work appointments) and it is such a wonderful destination: inspiring and the volunteers are always so generous with their time too. Your thread reminded of this group of Shimpaku too - albeit, this setting may indeed be a raft! Or am I confusing the trees at the national collection.

Anyway - inspiration aplenty.

Cheers,

Mark

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Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[Grant Bowie]

Same group; not a raft ; but a good raft can look like a group and vice-versa.

Visiting the NBPCA is always good. I will be glad to get back to Canberra as soon as I can as well,

Grant

[MJL]

Grant and the associated threads he sent inspired me - there’s potential in these babies.

I decided to take a little more care; bring these Shimpakus back to health .... bet some back budding ... so a transition is in order. Here’s this morning’s work.

Prep the space ...

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Attack ... probably the wrong word!

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End result (today) to follow.


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[MJL]

And here’s where I ended today - Stage 1 of transition underway.

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[TimS]

I love the direction you're going with this MJL, taking material others would have passed over and bringing out the the best in them

[Ryceman3]

Definitely see this working... coin well invested!
Shimpaku are a long term project, I’m sure the vision will develop as the trees do but I like the dynamic you’re creating.