Penjing Chinese Elm cascade

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

I was so inspired by my visit to a penjing grower in Melbourne about 6 weeks ago that on my return I immediately set about making one for myself.

I had a Chinese elm that had been going nowhere for a long time and decided to transform it.

Original angle.JPG

I had to cut off 90% of the roots as they were completely in the wrong plane to get it into a pot.

New Angle.JPG

After 6 weeks of growth it is doing fine. From now on I will not place any wire on it to train it but will do it completely in Clip and Grow.

I need to trim off some excess growth and cut in some interesting angles and directions.

Grant

[FatMingsBonsai]

Hi Grant,

I very nice start indeed. Clip and grow on elms is really fun to experience and experiment with !!

I will be watching this elm for future updates...best of luck and enjoy

Peace,

Han.

[alpineart]

Hi Grant , i too was inspired by your last post on the Elderly gentleman's works .I have a few penjing at various stages however some did have wire to start the basic framework others were from root cutting collected from the compost area contorted by natural attempts to find the light . Looking forward to the future development of this elm .

Cheers Alpineart

[NBPCA]

I also had put some wire on it many years ago but I cant remember whether this one was a seedling or a root cutting. It literally has been kicking around my current home and at my former nursery for many years and it just never gelled.

I also got to use the exotic chinese glazed pot that I have had for about 25 years. I never thought I would get to use it.

The panel at the front of the pot shows the PLA or Red Army soldiers and their flag at the top of the hill.

Grant

[deepeetee]

That really is quite nice.
Its also casting an interesting shadow. Some slightly better lighting and the shadow could also be a feature.

Great work as per usual.

Dave

[Philippe Tot]

Good to see Penjing /Topics Appearing more often than not on this site,

Her Dancing Youthful Spirit is both Melodic & Enchanting. She has much promise

Very pleasing.

Remember, to influence your Penjing as 'Not a Cascade',

But as a Feeling. Life is such.

Very pleased to see this Grant.

Take Care,

Philippe Tot

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Phillipe,

Thanks for that. I will try and go with the flow on this one and let it sing and dance.

Grant

[Steven]

Really nice natural movement already Grant!
It's interesting that it has been in your collection for so long but it has only just found it's true form now. It just suites the penjing style and the old pot so well.

As Phillipe has said, it's nice to see some penjing being experimented with lately.

Regards,
Steven

[Andrew F]

Does this mean a penjing sub-forum section?

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

The tree now needs its first trim. I have left multiple directions that I can take in the future but for now thats it.

1st November 2011.JPG

1st November 2011 after 1st trim.JPG

it will be interesting to see how far it can go in its first season of training.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

It is ready for its third trim now. I am happy with the progress of the lower portion but may cut back the upermost branch and start again.

It will be more obvious once it has had its trim but that will be a week yet.

I am taking this tree to next weeks CBS meeting as a "show and tell" as they want to see projects/ things we have been doing to improve our trees over the summer.

24th Jan 2012 (2).JPG

Its going to be a longish project but it is lots of fun.

Grant

[Craig]

Plenty of new growth , looking good Grant