{disqualified}[MattA] Clerodendrum inerme

[Inspired]

Wow.. great transformation and work on this one

[Brian Bishop]

David, 18 months ago when this post started, MattA said that the tree had an uninteresting trunkline. I did'nt agree with that statement and now your great work on this little ripper of a tree since you've had it bears out my thoughts on the matter.
I think this particular species is a cracker and what you have done to it is a credit to you.
Cheers......Brian

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

Shane, Inspired and Brian, thank you very much for the kind words. I cannot ask for more from it in the time that I have had it and will look to improve it over the coming years by condensing it even more. There are lots of areas for improvement on it.

It has been previously mentioned that in the upper branches, that they are somewhat straight, I cannot agree more and while I would love to put some movement in them now, I will cut it back hard and put movement into the new growth once its young, which I have found it more conducive to wire than branches that are starting to bark up. No doubt others who have had more experience with the species would have differing thoughts, but there is no rush with this one.

Clero points of interest and improvement.jpg

The area circled in red, that will be cut back but it is a few years away from getting the residual taper and its not something I will rush. The purple denotes the branch that I am considering removing, at the moment it is serving a purpose fill a part over the overall canopy, along with thicken the trunk, but the green branch above it, it will more than likely be brought down to fill the void left after removal of the purple branch. With the intention of giving the viewer a chance to peek through the tree and out into the back lower canopy, that will be grown.

Clero 14 September 2014 b.jpg

This was the tree after it was repotted on the 14th September, I will repot it lower down, at the next repot. It was repotted into a pot that I picked up at Bonsai By the Harbour.

Clero 30 September 2014.jpg

This is the tree how it sits as at yesterday, I had just gone about removing the winter leaves that were a paler colour so it looks a little thinned out.

While I am pretty happy with it, I can see a lot of improving to do to bring out the best in it.

I will continue to update its development over time.

Cheers

David

[bodhidharma]

A lovely tree David and you have done wonders with it. If i can comment..i feel it needs a little movement in the apex to really set it off. it might blend in the way it is once the tree has more foliage but a little more movement will enhance it no end.

[Shane]

Cheers David, that plan you have pictured was what I was thinking. Looking forward to the future.

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

Just a quick update on this. I recently removed the wire and give it a little trim and pinched the tips. I would have given it a severe cut back but am hoping to display it in May. I intend to give it a repot in mid to late January and at the time hoping to lower it more in its current pot. Will update it then. Here is where it sits today.

Clero 15 December 2014 A.jpg

*before

Clero 15 December 2014 B.jpg

*after

Next Spring I intent on cutting it back hard that will address a few areas that have been mentioned previously. Such an enjoyable species to work with.

Cheers

David

[kcpoole]

Lovley Tree and developing well

Ken

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

thought I would update this one, I recently defoliated it and have a before and after. I will keep pinching the new growth as it comes out and then will plan to rewire it completely late December/early January when I will defoliate it again.

Clero 28 Oct 2015 A.jpg

before

Clero 28 Oct 2015 B.jpg

after

I will update it again once that happens.

Cheers

David

[Nate.bonsai]

David,

This is an exceptional and finely developed tree. However, I still think that it would benefit greatly from removing the 2 substantial branches on the inner curve of the main trunk. In my opinion, they mask/hide the great movement in that section of the trunk.


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[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

Quick update on this one.

Clero 21 March 2016.jpg

*as at today 21 March 2016

I didn't get around to rewiring when I had planned and will get to that in spring next year, when I can defoliate. I did repot it for the second time this growing season in late January.

Cheers

David

[Jamie]

They are great growers i have one cutting. Left this has inspired me a lot