AusBonsai

This Pinus radiata (Monterey pine) was purchased at a bonsai show in October 2022. Not the most inspiring stock, but it was cheap and I’m a sucker for a pine. Not much was done for the first 18 months apart from root work, addressing the reverse taper and improving on general health. This year there were at least two distinct flushes.

This weekend it had a first directional styling.

At purchase:
Before work this weekend:
After work:
A long way left to go. Thoughts as always are valued!

Distinctly smaller needles from second (possibly third?) flush

Promethius wrote: ↑March 31st, 2024, 10:33 am This weekend it had a first directional styling.
A long way left to go. Thoughts as always are valued!

Hi Promethius,
I think it is a good start for this pine. I like the overall balance with the placement of branches.
The one bit that looks a bit weird to me is the junction between what is your first branch on the left and the trunk heading to the apex (the red bit). I couldn't really figure it out, but the other angle you show helped me understand, so thanks for posting from more than one vantage point. It looks like the trunk line heads backwards before moving up at this point. I think you need to see that from the front. You might not need to do anything more than just tilt the pot so it rolls the tree slightly forward. This might also help to accentuate the curve in the lower trunk (before the branch) which I like in the second view you show.
Not sure if what I'm saying makes sense, I apologise if not. I can try and explain better if needed.
Good luck with it, Radiata is fun to play with!

Thanks for the feedback! I see what you mean. I considered removing that branch that obscures the bend - it has taper but is a bit too boring / doesn’t have good potential as a leader (at least I think not). I’ll rotate the front when I next post an update.
Andy