My olive progression
- Sammy D
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 7:45 am
- Favorite Species: Olive
- Bonsai Age: 8
- Location: S A
- Been thanked: 2 times
My olive progression
This olive is one of the very first trees that i have worked on. It was the first real effort on branch selection and shaping i have done. I got it in 2011. Here is the first pic.
obviously still a lot of work to go but i think slowly getting there. Had lots of fun on the way and hopefully lots more to come.You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
- MOGGINATOR
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Re: My olive progression
this is just coming along so beautifully love the progression cant wait to see the next lot of pics



I like gardening - it's a place where I find myself when I need to lose myself.
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Re: My olive progression
Great olive there! Just curious as to what substrate you're using please? I just halved my lignotuber and wanna give it the best shot at bouncing back!
Cheers
Cheers
- Sammy D
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 7:45 am
- Favorite Species: Olive
- Bonsai Age: 8
- Location: S A
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: My olive progression
Im lazy so just use bunnings bonsai mix on bonsai pot trees. Foam box trees and stock i use half good potting mix and half vermiculite. Easy for me as i get free used vermiculite from work.
A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
- Sammy D
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 7:45 am
- Favorite Species: Olive
- Bonsai Age: 8
- Location: S A
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: My olive progression
Just an update. I sort of restyled this in a video i made on you tube called (Aussie bonsai bloke). Was a bit of fun. No idea how to add a link. Someone might know???? I changed it from a more padded pine look to a deciduous look. It still has some filling out to do so its probably in between both styles at the moment. I think its an improvement. Thoughts always welcome.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: My olive progression
Hi Sammy, I agree it's a big improvement suits the tree better. more natural feel to me
You guys in SA are spoilt with all the olives you have to choose from.
I bought one from a gentleman from SA at the Ausbonsai market day. He told me they grow all over the place in
SA like wild weeds.
Just recently I collected a European olive in Sydney, after years of looking out.
Funny how that
happens that soon after buying my first olive I finally find one . Well now I got a biggin and a littlin I'm happy,
at leasy until I get a chance to 'drive' to SA for visit and top up my olive numbers.
Do you have some bird or possum issues ? with the wire mesh on top of your pots or is there another reason?
cheers
You guys in SA are spoilt with all the olives you have to choose from.
I bought one from a gentleman from SA at the Ausbonsai market day. He told me they grow all over the place in
SA like wild weeds.
Just recently I collected a European olive in Sydney, after years of looking out.

happens that soon after buying my first olive I finally find one . Well now I got a biggin and a littlin I'm happy,
at leasy until I get a chance to 'drive' to SA for visit and top up my olive numbers.
Do you have some bird or possum issues ? with the wire mesh on top of your pots or is there another reason?
cheers
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Re: My olive progression
I agree, really starting to progress positively. I think the mesh is for blackbirds who pinch the moss?
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Keep Calm and Ramify
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Re: My olive progression
Aussie Bonsai Bloke - seen your youtube vids before this post,
Good on you for taking the time & effort to visually share your joy of bonsai.
Good on you for taking the time & effort to visually share your joy of bonsai.

- Sammy D
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 7:45 am
- Favorite Species: Olive
- Bonsai Age: 8
- Location: S A
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: My olive progression
Yeh blackbirds here like to dig. Lots of them too. If you dont have the mesh those buggers can clear out all the moss in one morning.
A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
- Sammy D
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 368
- Joined: August 30th, 2014, 7:45 am
- Favorite Species: Olive
- Bonsai Age: 8
- Location: S A
- Been thanked: 2 times
Re: My olive progression
Update for those that enjoy progressions
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A stick in a pot is better than no stick at all. Remember even the best bonsai started as a stick.
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Re: My olive progression
Good progress in 6 years
Should encourage others who are starting off with undeveloped trees.

Should encourage others who are starting off with undeveloped trees.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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- Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Re: My olive progression
Great result Sammy. I just went they your whole progression what are great outcome in 6 years.
One question, did you flat cut the base of the tree?
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One question, did you flat cut the base of the tree?
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Newbie
- Ryceman3
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Re: My olive progression
Nice looking tree there... Modelled nicely by a guy in a nice pair of shorts!
It's an inspirational progression.

It's an inspirational progression.

"NO CUTS, NO GLORY"
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