2007 Convention juniper update

[Gerard]

Squamata Persiano 1.jpg

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In 2007 I purchased this tree at auction, AABC Convention Melbourne.
At the time Michael styled two trees from similar stock.
The second tree was presented to the president of the host club, Bonsai Northwest to be passed to future club presidents.
Sadly "The Presidents Tree" died earlier this year.

I have always referred to the tree I have as "Michael Persiano's Tree" and have enjoyed it for three years,
but in July under the guidance of Hirotoshi Saito I redesigned the tree which is now "my tree"

Jubiper dec 2010.jpg

Still lots of wire, raffia, reo bar and blocks of wood (some photoshopped out)

[Tony Bebb]

Looks better than mine

[Gerard]

Last night at the BSV quadruple demo, I removed wire, raffia tape and scaffolding. Cleaned up the bark a little but unfortunately ran out of time to do much more.
Today I have spent a few more hours cleaning up the bark, carving and refineing jins and shari and have topped up the soil and planted some moss.
I also found some more photos of Michael Pesiano working on the tree in 2007.

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DSCN3575.jpg

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[hugh grant]

Magnificent tree! You've done a supperb job of redesigning the tree. I like it alot better now then to how it was styled before. You have also done a great job of cleaning the bark.
What variety is it do you know?

Hugh

[Mitchell]

Is there a front to this tree? I notice Micheal seems to be working the other side to what you have featured as the front now, is that the case?
If so just wondering why. Great tree by the way.

[bodhidharma]

Excellent tree Gerard. I am also very happy that you have made it ..YOUR..tree. You have bought out the best in the tree and i think it is a credit to you.

[Gerard]

Thanks everyone,

The species is juniperus squamata.

Yes the front has been changed completely.....but we should remember that Michael was given the task to convert nursery stock into bonsai in a 3 hour demonstration. What he achieved was amazing and prompted me to purchase the tree.

Under Hiro's guidance I believe we have achieved a better tree but this involved some very heavy bending and reinforcing in order to pull the top half of the tree in the oppisite direction. This was necessary in order to make the new front work.
I have plans to remove another branch and refine the tree further and a new pot has been commissioned but at the moment I am pleased with the progress.

[Gerard]

I repotted this tree into its new pot yesterday
Have edited the picture to hide some wire and wooden spacers, I expect the first branch will settle about halfway when you compare both pictures.

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repot 001.jpg

[John Henry]

Hi Gerard, Looks great has come a long way in the last two years one of the best around ,the pot looks great i will tell Loraine to have a look , have you thourght of pulling the seconnd dranch down as in the before pic great work.
john m

[Gerard]

Thanks John,
I have moved the apex a little foreward and to the right, this resulted in the first branch almost touching the trunk from the front view. I have some heavy wooden spacers in there at present but expect the branch will spring back most of the way when they are removed. The next step will be a complete rewire to tweak a few branches into better positions (including the second branch)
The tree will remain wired for most of the year, it is my intention to have it looking its best for the return of the AABC next May.

[Gerard]

afte removing a couple of branches and applying some heavy wire, Oct 2011

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I plan to change the potting angle next repot

[Gerard]

Another clean up, and returned to its original pot.

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preparing the tree for display at the 2012 convention.

[bodhidharma]

Lucky enough to see this tree in the flesh Looks stunning Mate.

[Gerard]

Thanks Bodhi,

The Lorraine Simpson pot is a beautiful pot but I decided that it was a bit harsh for this tree
I think the return to the old pot was the correct decision.

[bodhidharma]

Thanks Bodhi,

The Lorraine Simpson pot is a beautiful pot but I decided that it was a bit harsh for this tree
I think the return to the old pot was the correct decision.

Could not agree more. A 100% good decision.