Pinus Sylvestris Fastigiata "columnar"

[alpineart]

This is a Scots pine that i picked up recently ,

100_0317.jpg

i have basically slip potted it into a bonsai pot

100_0440.jpg

100_0441.jpg

from a styrene box and added a layer of bonsai mix underneath and on top of the root mass so very little disturbance has taken place to the roots . It is a grafted specimen and very well grafted at that . Not knowing much about this species i thought i would hook in and style it like a Pine not a Poplar as is its typical growth habit . This had a major thickening in the center of the trunk where it had been chopped which i reduced with trunk splitters and knob cutters . The tag had a date of 10 yo so its possibly 15 yo + as the owner had it for numerous years however its has had any training by her . I have trimmed the rougher bark off the lower trunk making for an even better looking graft . The lower branches growing in a vertical position where they exit the trunk so it was a bit of an effort to get them to move down into a desired placement the upper branches we definitely easier . I removed a few unwanted branches and then it wired ready for the journey from pot plant to trainer .

100_0442.jpg

100_0443.jpg

100_0444.jpg

100_0445.jpg

It will be interesting to see how this grows from now on be it vertically or horizontally as the branches are wired . Not a sub species i would got out and buy to create a bonsai out of , but i thought it would be a worthy challenge .

Cheers Alpineart

[Bretts]

There must be a very good grafter out there working with Scotts pine as there are some very nicely grafted cultivars about. Looks like this is off to a great start. Can you give any info about where it came from. i am always looking to replace mine that I killed

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , mate no idea where it came from but mighty fine piece of craftmanship used by the grafter . Its that good it can only be notice by the different bark , it has a complete circle around the trunk almost perfectly flat and level . I could get a join like this with a dowelling jig on a broken curtain rod if i clean cut it was a power saw, but on a trunk , that's well out of the ordinary . There is a phone number from the original nursery on a tag i found tonight after cleaning up , can't make out the name but the numbers there and a local area number so i will go have a chat with them as well if they are still around .

I shall ring it tomorrow to see if a cant locate the history . I love a good challenge and if there is stock like this graft to be had i will certainly let you know , i've seen some ripper tree's worthy of excellent bonsai but the graft are atrocious .The trunk is 38mm at the union and i took of about 1-1.5mm of flaked bark from the base to make it the same .The base at ground level is somewhere around 60mm x 90mm like i said i didn't disturb the root mass , not yet anyway

Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

Yep i had several poeploe look at mine and they could not see the graft it was Peter Adams and Ray that pointed out the graft to me just a change in bark that was it. Impressive work.
Hopefully we can find the nurseryman doing these as they are excellent.

[Bretts]

Here was mine, just after I realised what I had I killed it. Been after another ever since.
viewtopic.php?f=104&t=891&p=98746

[alpineart]

Hi Bretts , mate can't find the nursery and the number is not currently used by any business .I will ring the lady i got it off tonight , hope she can shed some light on the subject .Looks like your pine was done by the same craftsman .

Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Well it growth is vertical so it has had a work over and wired about a month ago

P1080746.JPG

P1080748.JPG

.The new buds are swelling and a few shoots are growing so its good

P1080747.JPG

, the cones are still in tact and green which is also a good sign

P1080749.JPG

. Hopefully over the ext few growing seasons i can build something out of it .

Cheers Alpineart

[alpineart]

This pine is a real bugger to maintain the shape , buds are easily dislodged with normal wiring so hook and hold is the easiest method

P1120380.JPG

P1120382.JPG

it had a quick needle pluck a couple of weeks ago While in the mood I hack it back this morning and a clean up of the graft

P1120384.JPG

P1120385.JPG

P1120386.JPG

P1120387.JPG

Haven't given up on it yet .

Cheers . Alpineart