Bonsai Open - 2023

[PeachSlices]

I’d be curious to know the reasoning behind the long needles; is it a species that isn’t prone to good needle length reduction? Was it a conscious choice to rebel against the trend of Uber short needles? Why choose to hide the trunk with such dense foliage? Not hating, just goes against common conventions with pine and has me wondering

I asked the owner when we discussed this tree. He said Nishiki needles are long and maybe by next year he could try for 3/4 of their current length.

The trunk is so gnarly and corky its amazing. I think with more development and ramification he could get that tree to have more shorter needles with a more dense pad. I don't think anything is purposely hidden its gnarly.

The only thing hidden is tiny guy wires if you looked hard enough.

Tige.

[dansai]

I believe constructive critique is a good thing. I wasn't privy to the discussion Grant mentioned so cannot comment on whether it was constructive or not. Unfortunately there can be people whose critique is just criticism. Moving a branch on a 45 year old corked up Nishiki is rather impossible.

Having said all that, this was a magnificent tree that was a clear standout for a number of reasons. The cork was well developed and tapered nicely from base to top and went down to soil level. Most Nishiki I have seen either have a graft fairly high up, or all the cork at the base has rotted away. This shows incredible dedication to careful and concise watering over the entire life of this tree.

The needles, although long, were all orientated in the same way and needle length was pretty consistent over the whole tree. As has been said, needles on Nishiki are hard to reduce. They are generally a weaker tree than standard Black Pine, and as such you cannot push the tree as you would a standard black. But the current owner has done an incredible job over the last few years to get this tree incredibly healthy and balance the energy over the tree.

Corky bark was present right out close to the needles. This would have had to have been meticulously groomed with perfect execution of impeccable technique.

And it was beautifully displayed with great attention to detail.

If you are on Instagram you can check out a short video posted by Embark-en here

[Watto]

For those who would like a look at a few other trees............

[Watto]

A couple more.

[Watto]

The last few.

[dansai]

Thanks for the pics Watto. I didn't take any so its good to have a record. especially for those that couldn't make it. So many good trees.

And definitely the strawberry was the best accent

[KIRKY]

Many thanks Watto, the Olive ramification is just amazing. Well done to the owner of that one
A lot of stunning trees at the show thanks for sharing appreciate it
Cheers
Kirky

[Kevin]

Thanks Watto,

Great work on the photography. I really appreciate your time to post these pictures.

The trees, all of them are super. As are the various styles and attention to their display. Looks like it was a great show all round.

I know you were very proud to have one or more of your trees accepted into the show. Which ones were yours?

Kevin

[boom64]

Thanks again Watto ,nice collection of trees. The pinus nigra is pretty awesome......John

[BonsaiBobbie]

Love that Olive. Looks amazing!

[Sno]

Thanks Watto . Your photography is really good ,I could nearly smell that strawberry .