Spirea over rock
- MJL
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Spirea over rock
About four years ago I purchased a bush on spec from a general nursery. I was on special and quite large - perhaps a 40 cm pot of thereabouts
I am pretty sure it is spirea. I purchased two at the time and gave one to my step-dad. His remains a lovely garden plant with white flowers.
Mine's been cut back and cut back in various plastic training pots and a few months back I decided it could go in a bonsai pot; still a training pot but giving it some context for the future. I also decided that it could work as a root over rock. I know it is less than ideal doing a root over rock at such a late stage but the main root fitted like a glove and with the rock partially underground, I reckon it will only get better.
I am quite happy with this as a start and now the ramification process begins. Any thoughts and feedback will be appreciated because I have never worked a tree in this style (or of this species) before. I was thinking Broom style (but I think brooms start higher up. So perhaps it's multi trunk style
I am pretty sure it is spirea. I purchased two at the time and gave one to my step-dad. His remains a lovely garden plant with white flowers.
Mine's been cut back and cut back in various plastic training pots and a few months back I decided it could go in a bonsai pot; still a training pot but giving it some context for the future. I also decided that it could work as a root over rock. I know it is less than ideal doing a root over rock at such a late stage but the main root fitted like a glove and with the rock partially underground, I reckon it will only get better.
I am quite happy with this as a start and now the ramification process begins. Any thoughts and feedback will be appreciated because I have never worked a tree in this style (or of this species) before. I was thinking Broom style (but I think brooms start higher up. So perhaps it's multi trunk style
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Re: Spirea over rock
HI Mark ,Firstly i should say i know nothing of this species . Here go's anyway . I would be tempted to remove all of the smaller shoots and any of the larger ones that are dead straight. Leave a few of the thicker ones that have some movement or can be wired and work with these. From these i am sure you could build a nice clump/multi trunk style.
I know you like the idea of a root over rock style but how about an exposed root style ? There seems to be some nice thick roots there already and with that thick trunk it would come together nicely. Just a few thoughts, have fun .John.
I know you like the idea of a root over rock style but how about an exposed root style ? There seems to be some nice thick roots there already and with that thick trunk it would come together nicely. Just a few thoughts, have fun .John.
- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Here ya go John, you're a star. Thanks for the idea.
A bit of wiring with a coffee this morning! This is somewhat of a rough draft and I made a few small changes after this photo but now I have a much more interesting foundation from which to build. Thank you.
As for exposed root - interesting idea - I'll keep it at the back of my mind when I next re-pot ... I think it will depend on whether or not the root over rock ever looks connected; roots to rock.
The curves have also reduced the height so I can see that when moved from this training pot; the final pot will be smaller and shallower.
Cheers again for the idea.
Mark
A bit of wiring with a coffee this morning! This is somewhat of a rough draft and I made a few small changes after this photo but now I have a much more interesting foundation from which to build. Thank you.
As for exposed root - interesting idea - I'll keep it at the back of my mind when I next re-pot ... I think it will depend on whether or not the root over rock ever looks connected; roots to rock.
The curves have also reduced the height so I can see that when moved from this training pot; the final pot will be smaller and shallower.
Cheers again for the idea.
Mark
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Here ‘tis.PWC wrote:Hey Mark looks good but I expected one shot from above
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Summer haircut... I like the direction this is heading.
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Thanks John, the wiring you suggested made a world of difference. To both the tree and my enjoyment of looking after it.
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
This little fella is powering along. After John’s suggested changes - it is turning into a interesting tree - quickly too ... and the leaves are reducing too.
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
This is proving to be a fun tree to work on. It powers along all year - another haircut today - a great way to relax for 45 mins or so.
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- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Well this is reasonably exciting (for me anyway) … I think my spirea is going to flower for the first time as a bonsai!
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Re: Spirea over rock
Congrats. I don't know anything about Spirea but is this early in your area?
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- MJL
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Re: Spirea over rock
Watto …. If I had any idea, I’d tell you but I’ve got no idea Re: spirea - it’s a speculative bonsai for me and I don’t know what to expect!!!
I will say, after a supremely cold winter (for my area in Melbourne) … I am getting very early bud burst on my maples and some other trees. It’s forcing me to repot earlier than I may have - as I like to repot some trees at the first sign of new growth … they are waking up, that’s for sure.
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I will say, after a supremely cold winter (for my area in Melbourne) … I am getting very early bud burst on my maples and some other trees. It’s forcing me to repot earlier than I may have - as I like to repot some trees at the first sign of new growth … they are waking up, that’s for sure.
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Tending bonsai teaches me patience.
- MJL
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2840
- Joined: October 26th, 2014, 8:47 pm
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- Bonsai Age: 7
- Bonsai Club: Waverley Bonsai Group & Yarra Valley Bonsai Society
- Location: Melbourne
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Re: Spirea over rock
This is looking great - there is more to go - I think this is about 70% of the flowers open - they see long lasting so hopefully it gets better! I’m pretty happy with this experiment!
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Re: Spirea over rock
This is just awesome. Unique, and I love the styling.
My Grandmother had this growing in her yard and I've always loved it since I was a kid because it reminded me of visiting her place. As it's out in bloom in Sydney, my mother last week asked me if it could be used as a bonsai plant. Shame I can't get a cutting from the original bush, but this is definitely an amazing piece of work and some great inspiration. Thanks for sharing
My Grandmother had this growing in her yard and I've always loved it since I was a kid because it reminded me of visiting her place. As it's out in bloom in Sydney, my mother last week asked me if it could be used as a bonsai plant. Shame I can't get a cutting from the original bush, but this is definitely an amazing piece of work and some great inspiration. Thanks for sharing