Elaeagnus pungens. Not widely used in Australia.

[bodhidharma]

This is an Elaeagnus pungens or thorny silver berry. For some reason it is not widely used in Australia or i have not seen one. They are popular in Japan and a few have been displayed in Kokofu. I have had this tree for some time now and it has never been in a pot. i would pull it out and work on it now and again but i have never really bothered to work it hard. This is the first time i have been fair dinkum about working it. As you can see in the trunk photo i have been severing the cross over roots and then letting them grow. I have got two other little trees now with nice shape. i will separate them next spring. It now has some good branching and i will pay attention to the apex over the next year. I personally think it is a little stock standard in its design as i did not have the experience when it was first worked. Still, it will look nice with some more growth. If any of you out there in Bonsai land have any experience with these i am all ears.

[Andrew F]

Looks great so far, Look forward to some ramification.

[Damian Bee]

Might be more widely used now Bodhi

[bodhidharma]

Look forward to some ramification.

Yes Andrew, i was happy the way the tree wired up and i will now get to work on ramification. Three years i reckon, not promising though.

Might be more widely used now Bodhi

I have never seen another so i hope this might promote their popularity a little. Thorns might turn people off though.

[Scott Roxburgh]

I didn't know you could get them in Aus.

I be interested in a cutting...

[bodhidharma]

[quote="Scott Roxburgh"]Post by Scott Roxburgh » Today, 10:09 am
I didn't know you could get them in Aus.

I be interested in a cutting...

[/quote
I am travelling to Canberra so that could be arranged.

[Damian Bee]

Might be more widely used now Bodhi

I have never seen another so i hope this might promote their popularity a little. Thorns might turn people off though.[/quote]

Never turned rose fanatics away from their passion.

[bodhidharma]

Wow, no resting for this tree. It roared back into life. The leaves are a little smaller and brighter which suggests to me it likes to be defoliated. It has also given me a lot of secondarys to play with next wiring. The tree is semi deciduous here so it will always need to be defoliated to wire it out. Are they deciduous in Japan, anyone know. I have two root cuttings in the pot now that are powering. The large one has beautiful movement and will make a stunning Shohin.)look past the weeds. Next spring i think this will deserve a nice tray.

[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Bodhi, being a ' thorny silver berry' have you had any berries?
The back is looking good Nice reduction in leaves, and the structure is definitely coming along
With the root cuttings - did you simple cut the root away from the parent and leave rooted? or completely separate from the parent and replant next to it? I haven't succeeded with any root cuttings yet - species might come into it too

Cheers,
Ryan

[bodhidharma]

Hi Bodhi, being a ' thorny silver berry' have you had any berries?

Hi Ryan, not yet, just the thorns

With the root cuttings - did you simple cut the root away from the parent and leave rooted? or completely separate from the parent and replant next to it?

Leave the tree in the pot and cut at the trunk. I pull it aside with a wire and see what happens. i will separate it next repot. I have had success with E.e's (of course) Chinese elm and hedgerow maple. No success with Tridents though. Say g'day to Susan for me.

[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Bodhi, being a ' thorny silver berry' have you had any berries?

Hi Ryan, not yet, just the thorns

With the root cuttings - did you simple cut the root away from the parent and leave rooted? or completely separate from the parent and replant next to it?

Leave the tree in the pot and cut at the trunk. I pull it aside with a wire and see what happens. i will separate it next repot. I have had success with E.e's (of course) Chinese elm and hedgerow maple. No success with Tridents though. Say g'day to Susan for me.

Thanks mate, will do, tried both Trident and Catilan elm (no luck) and Ch. elm (only lasted 6mths) can only keep trying

[NathanM]

Love it Bodhi
This is only the third one I have seen in Australia. I know someone who has 2. I was going to buy one before she styled it, but I was too slow haha.
Love these things, saw plenty in Japan.
Rreally want a few.

[bodhidharma]

It looks like i will be getting some cuttings going so we can start growing some of these in Aus. Will keep all posted.

[NathanM]

That would be awesome, been wanting one (or more ) for some time
thanks mate

[bodhidharma]

To hot for anything except sitting on the verandah and tackling this guy. I now have all the branching i need and have selected the top of the tree i will still need some upper small branches. I am happy with the height and now can start secondary selection. it already has quite a few and even got to wire some out. Timing should be good and i will be able to dewire this guy next Winter. The little cuttings in the background are also powering. Note to self..develop cuttings as these guys are Awesome to work with.