PRIVET MAKEOVER

[MelaQuin]

What would you do with this??

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It is a flaky bark privet, yet another of the seedling variations of a plant. Somehow I saw some potential in this when I bought it but lost the potential vision when I looked at it at home. So out came the sidecutters.

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This is better… those UGLY roots have gone but there is still a lot of lanky growth and it wasn’t too keen to throw out shoots lower down. So what did it actually have to work with? A trunk with movement and interesting bark and a pretty weird shape. While it is true that you cannot have a bench full of informal uprights there are also tree shapes that are hard to make into a viable bonsai. When all is said and done the tree must please someone’s eye.

Out came the sidecutters… the big ones this time. The top was lopped and the angle changed to highlight the nebari.

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It is still in a training pot while the apex develops a nice crown but what was ugly before has now had the potential realized and in the new growing season the crown will make this a nice mini about 15-16 cm high. Great recovery!! Sometimes you have to cut hard to find the bonsai in the bush.

[bodhidharma]

Sometimes you have to cut hard to find the bonsai in the bush.

Hi ya Mel, long time no post. Glad you are back Well done with the privet and, i agree, a much better proposition now. With some top growth it will look the goods.

[John Henry]

Hi guys, Privet make great bonsai this is the only one i have, would like more
john m

[MelaQuin]

John M
GREAT little privet. To my mind you have done a superb job on the foliage... distinct foliage pads but not pom-pomed. GOOD WORK. Nice tree!!

[anttal63]

Definately have turned an ugly duckling into a Beautiful little tree Mel will make a great informal broom !