Callistemon Future Shohin...

[Dario]

Hi there, I thought I would post this little Bottle Brush that I think I collected sometime in spring 2010.
When I collected it, it was growing pretty much upright and I pruned it back to the first couple of branches and just left it alone to recover other than feeding and watering it. Unfortunately I don't have any early pics.
I semi wired it sometime in 2011 and I will repot it for the first time later this spring.
It needs a lot of development and at this stage I am just letting it grow a bit and will prune it later this growing season.
Some of the branches I have left on for the moment to help thicken certain areas and I am yet to do a final branch selection and a proper wiring. I may also remove the first lower branch too.
It is probably not how this native grows naturally, but this is the direction I am taking and I am enjoying playing with it.
I will get a better idea of what is going on when I repot it, and hopefully I can eventually turn it into a shohin.

P1170433.JPG

P1170443.JPG

Bottle Brush 3.JPG

Bottle Brush 4.JPG

Cheers, Dario.

[Craig]

Exposed root callistemon, I like your thinking Dario, second picture with a single crown of foliage

P1170443.JPG

[MattA]

A native with real movement & energy

You have made an asset of bad roots and the styling up top isnt bad either.

Look forward to seeing where it takes you at repotting, I think there is more waiting in the pot that may change your planting angle a little or a lot.

Matt

[Phoenix238]

Is that an ice cream container?

Loving the look of this little tree, keep up the good work and keep us posted!

[Dario]

Exposed root callistemon, I like your thinking Dario, second picture with a single crown of foliage

P1170443.JPG

Thanks Craig yeah I was thinking the first lower branch might have to go.

A native with real movement & energy

You have made an asset of bad roots and the styling up top isnt bad either.

Look forward to seeing where it takes you at repotting, I think there is more waiting in the pot that may change your planting angle a little or a lot.
Matt

Thank you Matt yeah I figured why change the roots, may as well try to use them.
I agree and I am itching to see what is happening under the soil. I probably should have waited until repotting before making desicions, but I was a little impatient I guess.
Early days still so I will just enjoy the journey

Is that an ice cream container?

Sure is Pheonix238, sometimes it scares me when I see how many containers are laying around the place...I have probably eaten my own weight a few times over in ice cream
Thanks for your all of your kind words and encouragment I will post again after the repot so we can see where it is at.
I realise it is early days and as Matt pointed out, things may change when I repot depending on what I find etc. Also, I won't be rushing for a final pot anyway as it still needs to develop a lot.
But if I am able to keep it as it pretty much is now, what sort of shaped pot would work with this when the time is right? Any thoughts?
Cheers, Dario.

[Craig]

maybe a shallow round pot

[Dario]

Thanks Craig
Cheers, Dario.

[MattA]

Flowering, exposed root & shohin opens the doors to choosing a pot, a highly decorated porcelain pot could work just as well as a freeform depending on your taste.

cream.jpg

Just took above pic of one of my pots that would look good IMO. Dont think its big enough enlarge the pic & thats lifesize
I have a little elm that will eventually go into it.

[Dario]

Hi Matt, lovely pot
Thanks for taking the time to take the pic and post it!
I have read a little bit about choosing the correct pot, but as a beginner I sure have a lot to learn in this department.
The trees I am working on are a fair way of needing their final bonsai pots, so I guess that gives me more time to learn about it.
At this stage I kind of just trust my eye and go with my gut etc.
As a potter I will be asking for your advice, as well as the advice of others in the future.
Cheers, Dario.