Page 1 of 1

What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 6:28 pm
by Leigh Taafe
From a business point of view, wasting nearly 60 hours needle plucking, wiring, setting, and doing a few small carvings, on a tree like this is not a very good idea. From a hobbyist point of view, it is a great idea!

This tree has been let go for the last 2 years as it was quite badly affected by dothistroma. A couple of branches have been lost. It is in need of repotting (which will be done in spring), and was in dire need of wiring and resetting branches. After nearly 60 hours I have plucked all old needles and wired every single branch (which took most of this time) and done a preliminary set of branches, also some preliminary carving has been done to remove the old bark from the branches that have died back. The original low jin has been shortened back to a stub. The heavy looking right hand branch includes a back branch. Maybe a photo from above will help to illustrate this.

The tree is an Adcock's Dwarf White Pine dating back to 1965.

Obviously there is quite a bulge at the grafting point which will be address in time. I intend to use a combination of inducing scar tissue to "fatten" the skinny section, along with introducing a shari at this point to improve a natural taper.

Feel free to pick at it. It is a nice tree, just needs some attention after getting sick.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Before Shot
5NeedleB4.jpg
After Shot
5Needle.jpg

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 8:06 pm
by anttal63
hey leigh it is on its way to becoming a good tree again. you've worked hard and done a great job. its always worth it. i like your plan to marry the graft, that will make a big improvement. i look forward to this ones future. ;) :D

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 8:13 pm
by miyagiman
thats going to be a great tree. you could attach some false bark from a similar tree above the graft temporarily, this would disguise it unyil the trunk fattens up a bit. 60 hours of perseverance is a credit to you, congratulations. dave.

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 8:43 pm
by Steven
An inspiring revamp Leigh! Is it yours or a clients?

S.

(based on just $20 per hour, this bonsai should have $1,200.00 added to the price tag)

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 8:51 pm
by Leigh Taafe
Hey Steven,

This is one of mine. The addition to the price tag is just my point! I would not be able to do that and expect to get paid off for my time. This one is a "Love Job"!

Cheers,
Leigh.

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 8:57 pm
by Steven
Leigh Taafe wrote:This on is a "Love Job"!
And training mate! Keeping your wiring skills razor sharp ;)

It is a great looking bonsai but do you know why the original custodian persisted with it even with such a noticeable graft?

S.

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 9:13 pm
by Leigh Taafe
Not sure mate - the original custodian may speak up, he visits here.

I think this is one of the oldest Adcock's Dwarfs going around, correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers,
Leigh.

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: June 23rd, 2009, 10:51 pm
by kcpoole
Very nice Leigh, and a credit to your skills

Well worth the time to spend but alas you are probably correct about not being able to recoup the real cost

Ken

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: January 1st, 2024, 5:54 pm
by Di Clarke
Hi there.
I’m new to the forum as i have been searching for Adcock’s Dwarf in Australia. The original was created by my late father in law Graham Adcock at Hillier’s Nursery.

I’m trying to locate one for his son. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: January 2nd, 2024, 6:42 am
by tgward
after 14 yrs it would be interesting to see an update on this tree

Re: What A Waste Of Time!

Posted: January 2nd, 2024, 9:24 am
by Leigh Taafe
tgward wrote: January 2nd, 2024, 6:42 am after 14 yrs it would be interesting to see an update on this tree

Hi TG, thanks for your interest.
I sold this one many years ago when I shut down the nursery. A Vietnamese consortium bought it for a business venture in Sydney. Sadly I do not have any contact details.

Cheers
Leigh