Easter Olives

[MJL]

A day off. A day for another experiment. Olive seedlings periodically sprout in my garden. I dig ‘em up, cut tap root and bend ‘em a bit. But an olive - meh.

I think - “Why not try something ridiculous on your day off.”

IMG_0414.jpg

Drilled a hole and made a few bigger.

IMG_0415.jpg

Hmmm ... in truth, it’s got poo-tickets written all over it. Poo-tickets being another word for
sh!te.

We’ll see.




Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TimS]

Growing them through the driftwood? Could be interesting!

[MJL]

It’s not 100% poo-tickets but it is not great - that’s for sure! It’s all out of proportion and just a bit too weird. It was fun though and I’ve never attempted this type of group planting.

Side views

IMG_0421.jpg

IMG_0422.jpg

Back

IMG_0423.jpg

Front

IMG_0424.jpg

IMG_0425.jpg

Why did I do it?

I had time.
I wanted to try something different.
I was never going to do anything with the olive seedlings.
The seedlings were young enough to bend and also to fit/stuff into various crevices.
Free seedlings, found stump, old pot - a cheap bit of fun.
It was relaxing.

Is it a bonsai? Nup - just a pre-bonsai experiment. And yep... I can visualise a bunch of people vomiting in their socks ... (that’s not a great visual!) but I can imagine people put off because it is not what you’d call traditional nor is it using great technique.

I wasn’t going to post it but then I thought, why not? I’ve done enough embarrassing things on this forum of late - like those poor cedrus that I tortured!

In the end we all learn from each other - whether that’s - what to do .... or .... what not to do.

Happy Easter. Time to watch some footy.

Cheers.

Mark



Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

..needs more gravel!

It’s all out of proportion and just a bit too weird. It was fun though

I actually like what you're doing here MJ.
"Fun" is key.

[MJL]

..needs more gravel!

Ha! Funny and to really make people puke - here’s a little man wondering how he teleported from some wonderful serene spot in Asia to the windy wilds of the Mediterranean!

Actually, as the wood dried, this morning I really liked the contrast and I reckon that as the bends grow and embed themselves in the holes, cracks and crevices - this could look reasonably good.

And too break all the rules, generally I would put an olive in an unglazed pot - yet I wanted something reminiscent of the sea ... and hey, it was the only pot on hand!

Come back in ten years.

IMG_0429.jpg

Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ryceman3]

I kinda like it ... definite potential as the olives grow into the display ... I reckon it could get nice and interesting.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

[TimS]

As the trees “grow in” to the driftwood I think it will become a very interesting piece of material. Nice lateral thinking there!

[GavinG]

What's the problem MJL? This will grow well over time, the wood will anchor it, and the olives will fill out soon enough. It's a good start.

No more self-deprecation! Enjoy.

Gavin

[MJL]

Hey Gavin,

You are insightful re: bonsai and the human psyche too. And I mean that - you’re advice it is appreciated. Actually, it aligns to advice I have received in a more general sense too but hey, old habits die hard.
Cheers,
Mark


Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MJL]

In an effort to find more light as winter approaches, I was moving trees around the courtyard yesterday eve. By chance, I clumped the olives together on the bbq.

Hmmm - one day (not now, maybe never) but one day I could bring these two together.

An interesting thought - it is rather intriguing how well the two align - both in form, line and colour of the trunks to the deadwood. One day they may be better together.

IMG_0444.jpg

IMG_0446.jpg

For anyone interested in the strange looking back Olive ... the story of that is at this link below.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_ ... are_type=t


Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MJL]

This weird experiment is going to work I reckon. Spring growth is starting to burst and one day this olive will take over the old stump ...

IMG_6900.jpg

IMG_6901.jpg

IMG_6902.jpg

[Raging Bull]

That's Noice.... In future it will definitely look more & more like a broken old tree that has sprouted new growth. I enjoy doing pheonix grafts too, it's the only way an old fella can enjoy and create an older looking tree before departing this earth. I have a made few and they get better as they grow into the deadwood. Keep up the good work, I always look forward to reading your posts, but you should stop denigrating yourself for thinking and trying things outside the box. Below is my latest creation, not as adventurous as yours, but just posted to let you know you're not alone.
Cheers, Frank.

[gordonb]

..needs more gravel!

It’s all out of proportion and just a bit too weird. It was fun though

I actually like what you're doing here MJ.
"Fun" is key.

I agree, it looks good-ish, and with potential to be something.

[MJL]

Thank you gordonb . I have come to like this and I think, as the limbs grow and fill out into the gaps, the planting will be more realistic and interesting to view. A few years away yet. As an aside, it is always one that draws attention when people visit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MJL]

Pottering in the garden and noticed a self-seeded olive. Wired it while it was in the ground because it is easier to anchor the wire and then ... added it to this .... it went under the log... that’s it wired and poking out at the right hand end... not much seems to change with this but things are slowly thickening and the branches following the lines of the log....





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk