Hi Biocs , cheers mate , its not too bad at all . I was told by some "wanna be Guru's" that it would never look like a real bonsai , I guess they still have their heads in the wrong place . Some don't have insight , other don't have the ability and some get their ambitions mixed up with their capabilities .
Its a challenge and I believe its been met here . Not a true bonsai , then a chop top is not a true bonsai , nor is a root over rock , as all these have been manufactured . Seeds land in all sorts of places including old trunks and grow into tree's battered by weather , it happens in nature so why not bonsai . I still haven't seen a Sumo trident Maple growing naturally in nature yet many bonsai are created in this style .
Is this a Bonsai ,
Good question , the "die hard's" would say "No" however they would have manipulated a majority of their plants to create a bonsai . The majority of all the old junipers have had the bark and foliage ripped off , this has had the bark and foliage put on .
This most certainly is well on it's way to competing with the monster trunks I have here . I think removal of 30 % of the thickness from the front and back of the branches and trunk with some carving will only improve the balance , one of those terriers is definitely required here . I have several Phoenix Grafts here and all are doing well , not quite as spectacular as this bugger but unique in their own right .
I think I will just keep doing what I'm doing , making progress , as per usual and creating "living art" , Alpineart Style .
Cheers . Alpine