stump in a box

[Sammy D]

Hi people. Bought this olive on the weekend at the adelaide bonsai show for 40 bucks. As I like to look at other peoples progressions I thought I would post on here for those that are interested. Also a good way for myself to track its progress. I forgot to take a photo of this olive before I started work on it. I have already repotted it as it was dry even after watering. I suspect the old mix is stuffed. It does have a lot of nice fine feeder roots though. The trunk continues at the same taper of above ground for at least another 3-4 inches into the pot. The problem is the roots come from where it reduces under the main stump creating a reverse taper to the roots. To help this I have cut it all around with a knife and buried it hoping for a new ground layer of radial roots at the widest point of the trunk. Judging by the smooth green bark I suspect this olive is quite young. Maybe been collected 2011-2012.

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not sure where to take it in future but maybe a sumo ?

[Phoenix238]

I forgot to take a photo of this olive before I started work on it. ?

Story of my life

Looks like a good place to start

[kcpoole]

Noice

enjoy the journey, It will make a very nice tree IMHO

Ken

[ketutg]

I saw you walk out with this at the show and was jealous. The early bird gets the worm.
Will be good to see how this progresses

[Sammy D]

Sorry ketutg I know the feeling. I reckon I was the third one to the sales area and grabbed this and the other olive in about 20 seconds. I have a soft spot for them. Plus its somthing I hopefully cant kill

[peterb]

Hi Sammy D
I live in adelaide as well mate , i used to buy olives but someone put me onto looking around and digging them up my self , alot cheaper
regards
peterb

[Sammy D]

Long overdue update. I have been letting some selected shoots grow, they will become branches. So far i have let them grow out for 2 years now. Slow process but it certainly helps to fatten up the first main branches. Depending on how much they fatten up in the next couple of months before winter i may still have to leave them on for another year to make the size believable in relation to the big trunk. The top i have played with a bit but still much to do

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[Watto]

Thanks for the update.
I think the sacrifice branches may have done their job?

[Boics]

I tend to agree with Watto.
I wonder whether the bottom branches are even too thick now?

Personally I'd be considering clearing / cleaning this right up a bit to see a bit of a sillhouette.
There's so much happening right now that it's making my head hurt