An Olive ... I Picked
Posted: February 17th, 2019, 7:33 am
I picked up this olive tree at a recent Vietnamese Bonsai Show.
On a separate thread, I noted that I was initially was attracted to the pot but I really liked the tree too. I found it very interesting - but with various short falls including: wire marks; a straight section of the back branch that was out of sync with the tree’s other movement; along with the conundrum that the straight back branch is also a fruiting branch - which - apparently - is not overly common.
Boy has it divided opinion at our club - the YVBS.
In short, many really like, some love it. A few dislike it but their comments are polite and some just say - start again. I was pleased last week when a very experienced artist who rarely visits the club was most complimentary - a wistful smile, a nod and a comment to the effect that this tree is what Bonsai is all about.
Most agree that the back branch is the problem but also the fruits growing on older wood are one of the great traits of the tree. If I was to take the temperature of the room, I think most suggested taking it off at the first bend. Yet, others said I’d be mad to touch it!
As is the case with Bonsai - it comes down to me. And the vision of the curator at the time. I am unprepared to cut the back branch off, yet.
Yes, I probably can’t get the movement required to reflect the rest of the tree but I’m gonna try to get some and harmonise accordingly... so here’s my first re-styling.
To be honest, I like it but I liked the original tree too. What changes did I make? Slightly larger pot to give the poor fella a chance; a bend in the straight section of the back branch; moving the tree to be more upright and I have angled and tilted it to the viewer. Various other bends. Removed the baby tears and added moss.
So - let’s see how this little piece of personality in the form of an olive tree progresses over time.
Here’s the original tree and pot And now I bent it until it cracked - I hope this is ok? The little man and birds pecking around seem happy enough. ... and all the experienced growers sigh and whisper - why does he always put those bits and pieces around his trees?
[SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
On a separate thread, I noted that I was initially was attracted to the pot but I really liked the tree too. I found it very interesting - but with various short falls including: wire marks; a straight section of the back branch that was out of sync with the tree’s other movement; along with the conundrum that the straight back branch is also a fruiting branch - which - apparently - is not overly common.
Boy has it divided opinion at our club - the YVBS.
In short, many really like, some love it. A few dislike it but their comments are polite and some just say - start again. I was pleased last week when a very experienced artist who rarely visits the club was most complimentary - a wistful smile, a nod and a comment to the effect that this tree is what Bonsai is all about.
Most agree that the back branch is the problem but also the fruits growing on older wood are one of the great traits of the tree. If I was to take the temperature of the room, I think most suggested taking it off at the first bend. Yet, others said I’d be mad to touch it!
As is the case with Bonsai - it comes down to me. And the vision of the curator at the time. I am unprepared to cut the back branch off, yet.
Yes, I probably can’t get the movement required to reflect the rest of the tree but I’m gonna try to get some and harmonise accordingly... so here’s my first re-styling.
To be honest, I like it but I liked the original tree too. What changes did I make? Slightly larger pot to give the poor fella a chance; a bend in the straight section of the back branch; moving the tree to be more upright and I have angled and tilted it to the viewer. Various other bends. Removed the baby tears and added moss.
So - let’s see how this little piece of personality in the form of an olive tree progresses over time.
Here’s the original tree and pot And now I bent it until it cracked - I hope this is ok? The little man and birds pecking around seem happy enough. ... and all the experienced growers sigh and whisper - why does he always put those bits and pieces around his trees?
[SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk