Archive for January, 2009


DRIFTWOOD STYLE INSTANT BONSAI

Filed Under: Uncategorized by alpineart — 215 Comments
23/01/2009

This was a simple driftwood style project . Using a collected stump from a dead Tea-tree i simply grooved the area where the Juniper would be placed . Firstly i drilled a series of holes in the trunk and removed the excess material with a chisel until i reach the desired depth . Placing the stump up against the tree i then work out how much material would be required to be remove to accommodate the trunk of the Juniper .

Splitting the trunk of the driftwood made it easier to remove the hardwood to insert the plant . With the grooving and channeling complete i inserted the juniper into the groove and with the use of wire and rubber pads i tied the tree into position . As the juniper trunk was too thin to use screws the wire alternative was used . At a later date i will screw the whole project together using Stainless Steel or Solid Brass Screws .

Wiring is easier before the tree is mounted however care should be taken so the wire can easily be removed without damaging the finished Bonsai

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CANTILEVER SLAB PROJECT

Filed Under: Uncategorized by alpineart — 19 Comments
23/01/2009
This was a simple Cantilever Slab Project that a member from http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/ Bonsai Forum challenged and inspired me to make . I used 2 slabs of Ironstone to construct the setting . I set about working on a suitable angle for the Raft ,when the angle looked pleasing i began with an angle grinder and marked the base slab at the point of intersection . Grinding the rock at the anticipated angle and to the desired depth , removing the access as i made a series of cuts .

With the base complete i began on the Raft to fit the groove in the base . Very little effort was required as i used a Diamond tipped Masonry wheel . With the Raft and Base fitting snug together in the groove i removed a small piece of material in order to accommodate a trunk into which i will mount a tree .For added depth i removed material around the base to make a depression for the root ball of the desired bonsai . Cross hatching the Slab and Base to assist drainage and the root system took place after fitting together of the slabs.

This project took 20-30 minutes to complete and at the end i have a fantastic new Landscape base to work with

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Yamadori Pine No 2

Filed Under: Uncategorized by alpineart — 1 Comment
12/01/2009
This was the result of some inspiration and design by my Brother . Chris has done many courses with some great talented Bonsai-ist . I had in mind to keep them as informal upright or slanting styles , Chris had a more challenging approach to the overall design .

In the finish the results of Chris’s years of classes and discussion groups has paid off , i chose to challenge myself to create from a simple drawing to this finished trainer . In future i will endeavour to study the tree to be trained from several different outlooks .

With drawing in hand i set about removing the lower branches , working up the trunk to the stub i cut a taper from the top to the trunk . Then using the saw i cut a vertical slit down below the intersection of the trunk and stub . Using a wooden wedge i then spread the stub to enable wire to be inserted to assist bending and flaring the stub to represent jinned branches .
With the jins wired , i set about trimming unwanted branches to the drawings . Undercutting of the leader was required {removing a small wedge from underneath the branch} to assist bending of the thick trunk at a severe angle and with the wires ready i set the wires and bent the trunk into the desired shape . With such pressure on the undercut branches i have had to over wire the trunk {very untidy} but affective as any movement at the cuts will affect the healing process of the wounds . My NEW trainer is something special, thanks to Chris .

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