Carving a Coprosma...

[bodhidharma]

I have been working on this tree for 3 years since collection. It was collected on a building site a day before Christmas and it did not bat an eyelid. It was so vigorous i could aerial layer the top of the tree the following year. It will make an admirable Bonsai in itself one day. After the tree was layered i grew new branches on the bottom section and have started to grow a new new leader on the base tree. The initial carving was done with a chainsaw and the tidy up was done the following year with a die grinder. Caprosma make magnificent Bonsai as witnessed at the Bendigo show with Quentins work of art. Hope this will come close one day.

[anttal63]

Fantastic Mirror Bush bodhi!!! Good work mate! Love where its going. Definately under rated. YEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS Quentin's are something else aren't they!!! I have been working on one for 3 years as well. i too cut a great top off with a 2 inch base and struck it as a cutting. Thanks for sharing.

[bodhidharma]

Yeah thanks Ant. I think i gotta stop doing these HUUUUUUGE trees as i get older. Way to hard to get them around. God i love them though.

[Jester]

Wow, can't believe that trunk. Beautiful!! I wonder how well the leaves reduce if at all Bodhi??? Great Pot choice too mate.

[bodhidharma]

Hi Jester. I saw Quentin Valentines Coprosma at the Bendigo show and the leaves on his tree were reduced by at least half so it is definitely achievable.

[anttal63]

Hope ya dont mind Bodhi: Jester you reduce by lots of ramification to spread the energy and then defoliation. This time of the year Quentin gets them down to a 5c piece.

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[bodhidharma]

Fantastic Ant I remember that tree well it is magnificent. Thanks for helping out.

[MelaQuin]

The super glossy leaves and that magnificent trunk will really work together to make a magnificent bonsai. It will be good to see future pictures of this tree as it develops. Good work.

[Jester]

Hey Bodhi, does Quentin have a website or something where we can view some of his work?

John

[anttal63]

Hey Bodhi, does Quentin have a website or something where we can view some of his work? John

No he is very much the quiet achiever outside of the clubs. What he does within and for the clubs of victoria is Mammoth!!!

[bundyfisher]

Hey guys I don't know anything about this species it seems to grow at a fairly good pace
Cheers
Tony

[bodhidharma]

Hey guys I don't know anything about this species it seems to grow at a fairly good pace
Cheers
Tony

Hi B.F, Yep Coprosma is a weed and grows like stink. Makes it great material for Bonsai though. They are now producing hybrids. I had some but found they were not anywhere near as tough as the original. When i tried to do some serious work on them, as i have with this one they all carked it.

[Jester]

Hi Bundy, I live near Bondi and Bronte beach. Down along the cliffs they grow like wild fire. They love the salt and are very hardy. Big Trees with thick trunks. Personally I must say that the base species which is Coprosma reprens is not my favourite as the leaves are slightly too big but the cultivars available like "Painter's Pallet" and "Coppershine" are stunning and very underrated.

[anttal63]

Hi Bundy, I live near Bondi and Bronte beach. Down along the cliffs they grow like wild fire. They love the salt and are very hardy. Big Trees with thick trunks. Personally I must say that the base species which is Coprosma reprens is not my favourite as the leaves are slightly too big but the cultivars available like "Painter's Pallet" and "Coppershine" are stunning and very underrated.

Growing down along cliffs??? i would think there is some very interesting shapes? Have you had a closer look jester?

[bundyfisher]

Thanks guys Anyone in qld seen these around? ,I'm with Ant ,on a cliff with the elements you would get good stock
Cheers
Bundy