River Red Raft

[alpineart]

This was another little job today , collected quite some time ago after a big flood where it was washed out of the bank as an upright tree about 3-4 metres high it has been in the box since then and trimmed once . Today i slipped it into a Alpineart Tray used for redwoods as a test for endurance , it passed with flying colours.

100_8695.jpg

100_8696.jpg

100_8697.jpg

[alpineart]

100_8699.jpg

Now it will be allowed to settle and a wiring job will be done along with a trim for shaping .The aircon unit is 900mm x 900mm just to give you an idea of the size .

Cheers Alpineart

[Luke308]

Looking good Alpine

What is the tray made of? and why no drainage holes? I'm guessing you removed a square of bark under each "tree" aka branch?

Thanks
Luke

[FlyBri]

Nice one Alpine!

I must have missed this when you originally posted - but I'm glad to have found it now.

Never been much of a raft-style Bonsai fan, but I reckon that's because all the ones in the books seem to be boring, straight conifers. Now, I'm a raft convert: I love the way the lower trunk has created a landscape unto itself. Great treatment of otherwise unremarkable and/or problematic material! You've given me a few ideas...

Thanks for sharing, and please keep us posted!

Fly.

[FatMingsBonsai]

When is the right time to dig up some gum or eucy trees please?

Now ??

Cheers.

Nice forest mate...

[Luke308]

Collin Warren, who is a bit of a Native fanatic here in SA recommends February is the best time to dig up Yamadori Euc's here is his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bonsaiaustralis

[alpineart]

[quote="Luke308"]Looking good Alpine

What is the tray made of? and why no drainage holes? I'm guessing you removed a square of bark under each "tree" aka branch?

Hi Luke , the tray was custom made for Sequoia Sempervirens and to test the durability of the tray as a water test .It survive the redwoods and hence i found a better use for it with OUR NATIVE red gums .No drain hole because the tray is only 12mm deepso the moisture is used very quickly by the tree's in question .

No bark removed from the underside , mate i slip potted it so it was quick and simple . Iplan to rotate it to show off the trunk movement .

It was made from Villaboard and acrylic render with a gal steel rail attached for the perimeter lip and as a strengthening member .

Cheers Alpineart

[alpineart]

Hi Mr Fly, its going to be a ripper after some wiring is done and a bit of growth happens .It didn't seem to mind the slip potting as it has numerous new shoots and hasn't wilted . Inspired by that big raft at Benalla i post in Inspiration from Nature .It has some extra ordinary movement in the lower trunk so it will always be a unique raft .

Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

When is the right time to dig up some gum or eucy trees please?

Now ??

Cheers.

Nice forest mate...

Hi FatMing , i'm no expert on natives but i did collect this when the opportunity arrived , washed out of the river bank after a flash flood , around August -September ?. Can only improve with age from now on .

Cheers Alpineart

[FatMingsBonsai]

Cheers alpineart matey..

Will try tomorrow Have seen three awesome eucs that are very naturally stunted and have lovely shape already with plenty of low, low branching !!!

Regards to all

[FatMingsBonsai]

Actually, could not waited so I went to dig them out tonight lol !!
Did not get much roots from the two but had substantial larger feeders

Got home and wash it off so it could stay moist whilst I pruned away at them. They are going to turn out as biggish bonsai but with tremendous potential already
This is my first try at Natives so did I do the right things?? I do have an established Banksia and that is doing fantastic.

Would you guys have put the trees in a training box or straight in the ground? I did the ground thing

Cheers.

[alpineart]

Hi Ming , i have had several attempts at various methods ,many not happy campers . I have found collected Red Gums do very well in washed river sand and watered daily . I have put most of them in bonsai pots , glazed seems to hold the moisture better .

Cheers Alpineart

[FatMingsBonsai]

Hey alpineart,

Well, I am up and early to keenly see how I did a lot last night in my backyard with minimal light
The red gums have wilted a bit but I think that is to be expected though...hopeful they will pull through the ordeal as they are excellent natural material

I have now training box so they went straight in my side of the veggie patch If, I ever cross an inch over the wife's side she'd kill me lol
Will I need to water daily for these natives? Never had them so I have no ideas on their maintenance regime.

Cheers,

Han.

[alpineart]

Hi Han , I keep my natives on sand trays or on scoria beds so they can remain damp continuously , ground growing may be a different kettle of fish .Hopefully someone can chime in with some info for you , or maybe there is something in the WIKI reguarding collecting and after care .

Cheers Alpine

[FatMingsBonsai]

Cheers Alpine

Will keep you updated mate

Han