My Junipers

[PaulC]

Bretts,

I just couldnt help myself !!

Sometimes I just do virts without posting them, especially on junipers ( LOVE junipers !! )

Anyways, just one more ......................

juniper6.png

The straight branch on the right caught my eye, gave it an older rounded apex, and shortend the branch length.

There looked like a back branch that may have now gone as well ?

Difficult to tell from the pic !!

Anyways just a virt.

By the way, I am loving the pot as well.


Paul C

[Bretts]

Ideas is just what I need with this tree Paul so much appreciated.

I think I like your first idea better though. Yes you have removed the back branch in your second virt.

Removing that left branch might be a very good idea but I still think I am going to have to graft at least one new branch in up higher.

[jarryd]

haha well hope it helped mate!

my girlfriend is originally from Mudgee which is not to far from your place. If i am ever out your way with her i will have to drive the extra distance and come say hello, have a couple of beers and talk some bonsai!

id love to see some of the trees you have posted in the flesh!

[Bretts]

I have been working with some guys from Mudgee, they are all mad in one way or another

Be a pleasure to have you visit

[Bretts]

The Saturday afternoon workshop session with Tony Bebb at the Tops weekend was a real treat. I left lunch early to make a start and I was head down arse up for about 4 hours I think trying to prepare and wire the tree for Tony. Every time Tony made his way around to me all he could say was how much he was loving every minute of this session and the quality material he was getting to work on. There where some very good trees there. By the end of the session and beer in hand he was quite emotional
It was once said by Pup that taking a tree to a different instructor each time it is worked on is not kosher. Well I can say that taking a tree back to the same instructor is definitely very rewarding, it was a real joy to be working on this tree again with Tony. I only wish I had prepared the tree earlier so I could have taken in more of what was going on around me instead of having my head stuck inside the massive amounts of foliage that needed to be cleaned out. Lucky Pup and Tony had previously taught me how to do that. I didn't take a before picture at the workshop but here it is several months ago in April.

juni.jpg

Then after being whipped into shape again.

juniper 001.jpg

There was a fair amount of interest in the pot. Some people loved it from the start but as I unsure if it would suit the tree. Others the pot grew on them as they looked at the detail which is also the way I have felt about it. Some just shook their head at the pot In any event it is the perfect shaped pot for the tree at this stage and it sure is an interesting choice.

A big thanks to George that helped me set this tree on the rock about 6 years ago and Tony for his continued expertise in whipping this into shape. I can't wait for the next session.

Oh and there is alot more rock still in the pot so it will emerg more at each repot
Edit: it is very possible some branches still need a little tweaking after the long drive home but I have been reluctent to tweak at the moment.

[Bretts]

Oh and here is the trees huble begining

bonsai (9).JPG

[MattA]

Hey Brett,
It has certainly come a long way from its humbe beginnings, wouldnt even recognise it as such, the tree & pot combo is
Matt

[kcpoole]

Good effort Brett. 2 questions tho,
How long have you been growing on the tree since that first pic?

and how long has it been on that rock?

Ken

[Bretts]

I have had the tree for 7 years. Got it about 6 months after I started Bonsai. Goerge helped me reposition it on that rock 6 years ago. A couple of the roots are even starting to flatten out.

[bodhidharma]

That is coming along nicely Bretts and i like the pot a lot. It is a very busy picture to take in (pot, landscape on the pot, A rock and a juni hanging off it) but it seems to work nicely. I would have liked to see the Juni positioned higher up on the rock as it looks like it is falling out but that might change as the roots thicken and grasp it more.

[harry]

i think tony and pup are wise men continuity is a wonderful thing in bonsai and is what you get from the same teacher

harry

[Bretts]

I see what you are seeing Bodi. The roots do have a great hold but they still look a little precarious? Although as the rock is more exposed the larger roots will be shown to wrap right around the rock, this may improve the precariousness but in some way I think it will be something I will just get to play with in the design.

Hi Harry,
There is something special about Bonsai and life's/deaths path. Returning to the same instructor on a long term tree is a perfect example of that journey.

[anttal63]

Great result Brett the pic does not do it justice !!! Personally i liked the tension in the stance and in the end stable wins over.

[Bretts]

Glad you like it Antonio, What Bodi suggests is there but I think it is just somethig that can be played with and get stable tension as you say.

[Tony Bebb]

G'day Bretts

It was certainly a pleasure to see this tree in the flesh after 3 years and get to work on it again. That Sat afternoon workshop was very busy, but I loved it as there were a number of advanced conifers to work with, and they are my favourite. I could not believe the amount of growth on the tree, even though I had seen the pics here on AB, and your right, if you had of cleaned it out first you would not have been so busy and we would have got more work done.

One thing the pic shows mate is the top left branch off the apex looks bolt straight, and I think needs some more bending to match the tree. As discussed, I think, the pot is a good shape and size to hole the rock, but would be better if it were a plain unglazed colour.

Hope I get the chance again mate

Tony