AusBonsai

Just thought I'd put this pic up.

I got this from the BSV show last year and since purchase simply...

1. Put it into a pot.
2. Done a bit of root cleanup.
3. Maintained basic shape.

I'm a big fan of fruits and flowers on Bonsai so naturally Cotoneaster is a good option for me.
These berries have been slowly forming for a month or so now however the white flowers were nice too.
So I thought I'd take a photo and share before birds or animals come and help themselves...

Always happy to take advise.
Personally I don't like the position in the pot but this one had some chunky roots that were hard to deal with.

Nice
Needs to move to the right in the pot, so next repot, cut them back harder. Work it over a few seasons

Ken

Probably had this for over a year now.
Amazing as the berries went really nice and red and probably lasted another month or so after the pic above.
Then one day - Nothing. Every single berry just vanished without a trace.

Such a cool species I reckon.
This has just flowered again and already has a whole new crop of berries maturing for me.
Flowers and berries provide interest for the bulk majority of the year!

I did try and move a little more centred when I repotted but once again some chunky roots prevented me from gaining the desired real estate.
I'll definitely chop the hard roots back a little more next re-pot but from memory I wasn't too happy with the growth beneath soil so erred on the side of caution.
I also think a bit of a tilt might suit?

Anyway took a couple of pics and thought I'd post an update.

Boics wrote:Then one day - Nothing. Every single berry just vanished without a trace.

That would be the birds, they are there at daybreak and strip the tree very quickly. Nice little tree, prune it hard after its finished fruiting.

Update on this one..

Wanted to try and compact and take the tree to the level so in consultation with Jow decided to trim this right back to improve ramification and the overall silhouette.
Looking at this I will continue to work on the branches, potting angle and reducing the overall size of the tree.
I think a size reduction will help to improve the appearance?

The Nebari is also a work in progress and the tree sits a little lower this year as I try to promote some additional surface roots.
On Ken's advise I have managed to budge the tree a little more central but will re-focus on this next re-pot.

Happy for views, thoughts, visions..

plce a bottomless bird cage over it when the berries colour.

Update on this one.
Has filled out a heap and is a little more compact.
I didn't repot this year and will hopefully have a little more confidence in making some major hacks next repot opportunity.
Personally I'd like to see this both a little more upright and in a smaller pot.
I think it will be a little more appealing?

Cotoneasters look really cool in fruit.
I have one, and it flowers when I let it grow out, but maintenance trimming usually leaves me with no fruit.
I commend those that get a tree full of berries.
Well done Boics.

Boics wrote: Personally I'd like to see this both a little more upright and in a smaller pot.

Nice to see this again
Tilt to the right to bring the apex over the base and to aviod the lower trunk being vertical

Ken

thanks for sharing, its looking really nice but i would probably recommend tilting it to the right but if your going for a slanting style it wouldnt have to be tilted. Your bonsai your choice

There you go Alek.
Bit more upright - the tree had some significantly large roots that I'd been working on slowly shortening.
These had prevented me from moving the tree to exactly where I'd like it to be..

I think from here I need to remove a few branches and start to get a bit more definition.
It's a bit of a pom pom right now.

I like what you've done.

It'll look better with the thin out but I'd happily buy it from you!

Look forward to more pics