Cedrus Deodara

[Bonsaiforest]

Hi to all ... I have myself a Cedrus Deodara. The trunk at base is just under 40mm wide...Tree is about 50cm high . It does have nice taper from base to maybe 3/4 tr's up the trunk with nice movement. Although due to my lack of using raffia & removing wire earlier enough, I've created reverse taper up top with very unsightly deep wire cuts. I'm unable to chop and the top off and start mid way because I don't have any branching lower down. There is a small branch right at the base of the trunk that comes out at the base of the tree and forks into two. Wondering if there are any suggestions for me as to what to do from here. Harsh criticism also welcome (If I need to start again from the branch at the base then so be it...!) Or if there's a way that I can utilize what I've got, then I'm happy to go with any style...really just want some idea's and vision because at the moment I cant see it. Hoping to eventually make it into a suitable viewing bonsai one day.

[Andrew Legg]

I think that trunk has a bit of character and you should think along the lines of hiding the ugly bits with foliage pads rather than cutting them off.

[Bonsaiforest]

Thanks for the advice Andrew...Now this is probably a "Silly" question but is it possible for Cedrus to bud back on old wood....? Or would it be possible to graft onto main trunk using the sacrifice branch at base...?

[shibui]

I don't think they usually bud on bare wood - certainly not reliably but grafting is always an option. You have the scion growing lower down so could use an approach graft safer and more reliable because the scion stays growing from the roots until the graft is totally healed.

[Bonsaiforest]

Cool... Thanks Shibui...Will do a little research and see if I can find a post on AB on how to approach graft.

[Watto]

I'm a fan of Deodar Cedars and have a few. You are being a bit harsh on the tree and on yourself I think. I see a very interesting literati in that stock and see nothing wrong with those few wire marks. What I know about this species is:
* they don't bud back on old wood
* the wire marks will disappear over time
* they respond well to all the usual bonsai techniques (trimming, wiring, etc)
* jins and shari's look great
* they don't like work on the top and the roots in the same year
* when going they are pretty tough.
Enloy

[Bonsaiforest]

Thanks watto....Do they take well to exaggerated bends and are the trunks easily manipulated like pines & juniper's...?

[Andrew Legg]

I'm a fan of Deodar Cedars and have a few. You are being a bit harsh on the tree and on yourself I think. I see a very interesting literati in that stock and see nothing wrong with those few wire marks. What I know about this species is:
* they don't bud back on old wood
* the wire marks will disappear over time
* they respond well to all the usual bonsai techniques (trimming, wiring, etc)
* jins and shari's look great
* they don't like work on the top and the roots in the same year
* when going they are pretty tough.
Enloy

* they are springy as hell and need wire reapplied regularly to set where you want them.

[fossil finder]

I really like this species. The movement and texture in trunk is very attractive to me. Looking forward to the day when my deodaras' have 40mm trunks. Very nice indeed!

[Watto]

Ditto to what Andrew said. They bend OK (not as good as junipers) but tend to spring back a bit so will need to re-apply the wire.

[Bonsaiforest]

Not being absolutely sure of the direction that I'd like to take my tree...(literati as Andrew suggested is the best possible option so far) So while I'm trying to decide...? Thinking now that I'll put it in the ground (while I ponder) & let it grow out to thicken the trunk & and hoping with the extra growth it should cover up those wire marks pretty quickly.
Question is if I place it in the ground should I be digging a pretty big hole and filling with a course medium for increased drainage and air circulation around roots...? Please suggest possible mediums or mixes preferred.
Or would it be best planting in a large colander and then in the ground (easier access for root inspection)....Novice...yes I am... any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Watto]

These are quite slow at putting on any trunk width so I would be reluctant to put it in the ground - I have a couple in the ground and they haven't changed much in years. Instead I would start to work on it (probably literati) by trimming, shaping and wiring. And between now and re-potting time (which is October for me) get a nice pot for it. You will be pleasantly surprised by the change in 12 months time.