AusBonsai

thoglette wrote:A few months later, post trim.

Another "post trim" shot - I keep forgetting to take "before" shots! (Visualise a green Cousin Itt) I'm still getting the branches shorter. I've now got new "leaders" on the main branches and will be able to cut some of the older, non-tapered branches next year. The tree does bud back, if extremely reluctantly.

It's an interesting contrast to this time last year: not a huge change structurally but I'm getting happier with the lines. The scars are starting to grow over and the branches are getting a little more organised. The lower left branch has thickened up nicely but I'll keep leaving extra growth there to keep building it up.

In the spirit of Virtual Designs - where I hope to take this one.

first left branch should be removed or short jinned--if possible encourage sacrifice branches near ground level

Mate, if it were mine I'd chop between the fourth and fifth branches, Jin from the fourth branch up. Lift the fourth branch up for foliage or you could leave it down. If you are able to spread the root/nebari it may help the trunk thickness
Cheers Rod

Guy wrote:first left branch should be removed or short jinned-

One or two?

Guy wrote:if possible encourage sacrifice branches near ground level

I'd love to - but I think the time has past for this one. I might try an approach graft on the back....

rodm wrote:Mate, if it were mine I'd chop between the fourth and fifth branches, Jin from the fourth branch up. Lift the fourth branch up for foliage or you could leave it down.

Rod - a big call but worth thinking about. No going back from that one. Hmmm...

rodm wrote:If you are able to spread the root/nebari it may help the trunk thickness

I'll be repotting in spring and will be looking closely at the roots.

wanna try sumthin' really radical


http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATtrunksplitting.htm

thoglette wrote:

thoglette wrote:A few months later, post trim.

Another "post trim" shot - I keep forgetting to take "before" shots! (Visualise a green Cousin Itt)

It's an interesting contrast to this time last year: not a huge change structurally but I'm getting happier with the lines. The scars are starting to grow over and the branches are getting a little more organised. The lower left branch has thickened up nicely but I'll keep leaving extra growth there to keep building it up.

Well, I did b****r all this summer. As a result I have a sometime-before shot - still got more growing to do. There's an approach graft hidden in there, plus another to do in spring.

thoglette wrote:Well, I did b****r all this summer.

Just about ready for the spring trim. Virt vs the grim reality

Mr. T,
I like the pic on the left but feel the pot is not the best choice for it (this point may have been earlier). I feel it would look better in something square or even round... Seeing as the tree is fairly symmetrical, I think the pot should reflect that too.
I am new, tho, so take that with a pinch of salt!


Cheers
Elmar

CoGRedeMptioN wrote: I like the pic on the left but feel the pot is not the best choice for it (this point may have been earlier). I feel it would look better in something square or even round... Seeing as the tree is fairly symmetrical, I think the pot should reflect that too.

Thanks for the comments. I've got a year or three before the tree can even hope to be "show ready" but the pot issue is something that still concerns me. I'm thinking a traditional "masculine" unglazed round pot will likely be the way to go. Still have some time to think - basic shape is almost there, with the last sacrifice branches coming off this summer. Then a year or two of ramification will be needed.

thoglette wrote: Still have some time to think - basic shape is almost there, with the last sacrifice branches coming off this summer. .

Post Chop - with some extra growth left (as advised by my elders & betters) which is making it look a little "wolly" I've decided I need to graft into the excessively empty space on the left. And may still take a bit more length off the branch on the right. After that, it's ramification, ramification and a bit more ramification!

thoglette wrote:I've decided I need to graft into the excessively empty space on the left. And may still take a bit more length off the branch on the right. After that, it's ramification, ramification and a bit more ramification!

We had Joe Morgan-Payler visit recently and he suggested turning the tree 90 degrees anticlockwise (as viewed from above) as the best solution to this problem. The original front was decided mostly due to root placement - which is now hidden due to the deeper planting.

Photos to follow....

thoglette wrote:Photos to follow....

Need to straighten the trunk and completely re-arrange the foliage once it recovers in a month or two

thoglette wrote:Need to straighten the trunk and completely re-arrange the foliage once it recovers in a month or two

Time flies. The only thing that's really happened is that I forgot I was going to straighten the trunk .

Not entirely. And not entirely visible here is the work on ramification or the start on a crown, following advice from Tony Bebb.

But I do need straighten that trunk. I've left the tree where I can see it through a window and that's what's bothering most. Perhaps at the next workshop (lots of big tools on hand. And I might need the trunk splitter too!)