Pair of Chinese Elms

[Bretts]

A couple of years ago I convinced Ray to pick out 10 stock trees @ about $50 each and then I got the local Nursery to pick them up for me on their run to the City. Ray was not happy with the job of picking trees for me but I convinced him it was a better idea as I could spend my money just on his stock instead of the petrol of a 10 hour return trip out there. Having no bonsai action close by the idea was to create the best mallsai out of each tree I could and sell the trees off(mainly at the local nursery) for a profit. So I could not just chop the trunks and start agian I had to try to make the best tree out of what I had in front of me that would appeal to the public.
This was the challenge that I picked up from the local nursery with a $50 cartage fee. This included a BIG pot for my larger hornbeam as well so that was great.

bonsai stock (2).jpg

It went well, after selling about half the trees I had made my money back. Although I got a little tired of turning up at the nursery to find my tree with dead leaves from not being watered and decided that was enough.
Three of the trees are being developed further but as I was going around the bench re potting I had to decide what to do with these two guys.

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Thought If I could stick them together in a group at least that would cut down on day to day care. Thought I found a spot for them to go together.

elm2.jpg

I think they are much better as a pair but it has still left me with some issues. That large branch on the left needed replacing at some stage and I could not keep the clippers away from it last night. Now that is gone (pic later) I have the old. Well if I am going to remove that branch I might as well remove this one and then that one Now I might as well get rid of that big scar on the apex and find a new one
I think I am stuck with this setting now as soon I will be left with a trunk that needs all new branches and no public punter will want that and this setting now has the value of about $100 (but really cost me nothing) And I doubt anyone will like it enough to pay me over that for it (most trees where under $50. The one on the right was $35 and I think the larger one was about $40 pot was $25)
It makes Pups starting bid of $200 for his group interesting as my usual practice is 100% mark up so the value of this setting would be $200 as well. Still better value for the punters than those mallsai at Bunnings and that was the plan.
So at least they will be easier to care for and I guess I better start making some chops as I think I am stuck with these for now
I might drag out some pics of what I was calling first class mallsai later

[kvan64]

Hi Bretts, are you implying that these are for sell now?
DK

[Bretts]

Hi Kvan
I like the saying everything is for sale but you may not like my price I didn't put them in the for sale section but yes I guess I would be interested in offers of $150 or over. That would go a long way to paying for my weekend out at the tops
Although they are wired in nice and tight, I would not be keen on Mailing them as they are freshly re potted!
I could take them to the Tops weekend if anyone is interested

[kvan64]

That's fair enough Bretts. I would think about it if will be posted
As to the trees. I like the composition there. I would, however, like the thick top branch on the left of the tall tree to be carved out, thinning it closer to the trunk.
Cheers,
DK

[Bretts]

I agree about that branch Kvan and chopped it off last night. Only left a little stub to carve back later though. There is a branch right under it just waiting to take over. Bit more work than I like doing to a tree after re potting but I could not resist setting up a new leader. Are you still with me Kvan or do I get to keep it now The low front branch on the large tree could also go but I will wait until it fills in with branches agian before I decide. It might just work yet!

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[kvan64]

Too bad, you gotta keep it now Bretts. Just k/d I think they still have enough interesting characters to make a nice and mayby better composition down the track. I would also wait till it fill with new branches for more options. By the way, how does the back look Bretts?

[Bretts]

No worse than the front apart from the new chop scar. This is the original back of the large tree. It is fiarly pleasing from different angles as I walk around it. For the first time I see a tree that could become respectable over time
I will try to remember to get more pics.