Tanuki Shimpaku Juniper

[alpineart]

Yes another one , this time i have used 2 Shimpaku junipers

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to create a Tanuki or Pheonix graft .The same method has been used as the previous Sabina's in the previous post . The pine root

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was cleaned up with a wire brush in a power drill then Lime Sulfur was applied .The channels for the junipers was about 70-80 % of the thickness if the trunks then solid brass screws were used to secure the trunks in position .Grooving the wood out help hold the junipers in the required position and makes for a neater more natural flush finish of the live veins .This will be allowed to grow on for several seasons and power fed to produce plenty of thick material for numerous jins .

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.Cheers Alpineart

[kcpoole]

Nice bit of wood

I have numerous Casuarina I am looking at using as Tanuki specimens. Just lookig for some decent lumps of wood. I have a few pieces, but not sure yet of the final plans

Ken

[alpineart]

Hi KC , i have search high and low for good wood , these tap roots are definitely worth locating if there is an old plantation around . I have used hardwood in the past but pines seem to have more character and the insect world does a very natural job leaving only the hardwood/sapwood veins . I intend to do numerous species including pines and natives now that i have discovered the pine roots .I have a few Casuarina and Callitris that i tossed around today , but that's as far as i got . I removed some N Z tea tree layers instead .I will keep a keen eye out for your post .Cheers Alpine

[Damian Bee]

Alpine, have you tried a wire brush attachment for a grinder? Very effective but you must wear a full face visor.

[alpineart]

Hi Damien Bee , Mate i don't want to strip paint or rust off steel , the grinder would remove more than the soft wood . It would destroy the natural character of the pine wood veins . The power drill with variable speed it very gentle and you can manipulate it around the profile of the root and you must work with the grain not across it .If you use various size wheels ie '25 ,35 ,and 50mm you can clean almost all the crap out and there is very little left for the die grinder to do . I use the angle grinder with a 100mm saw blade for the grooves however even a little blade like this has restrictions in tight spots or for harsh curves .

Most top quality angle grinder wheels are at least 15-20mm thick , the cheap wheels tend to lose their wires at high speed .I always use the required safety equipment however i don't wear gloves as the can easily become a danger to any spinning object and you lose the feel of the machine .Cheers Alpineart

[PDA]

Hi guys,

What about some of those Malee (Sp?) Eucalyptus root stumps Ray Nesci has? Wouldn't they provide amazing bases?
I plan to use the one I picked up last visit for a Tanuki/sticky-ony/wrap around or whatever you call it depending which country you're in!

See you soon!
Regards,
Peter Adams

[kcpoole]

Hi guys,

What about some of those Malee (Sp?) Eucalyptus root stumps Ray Nesci has? Wouldn't they provide amazing bases?
I plan to use the one I picked up last visit for a Tanuki/sticky-ony/wrap around or whatever you call it depending which country you're in!

See you soon!
Regards,
Peter Adams

Hi Peter, Yes the would make great tanuki Bases and I will be heading up to to Rays over the weekend I hope so I will have a look

Mallee root with a Casuarina might do real good

Ken

[alpineart]

Hi Guys , mallee roots would work a treat , i had some in my 2m aquarium and considered using them but never got around to it .They are readily available at good Aquarium shops as well . Even wood yards have them for sale as fire wood , what a waste of a good resource .Cheers Alpine

[Damian Bee]

Glad that you know your stuff Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi Damien , the mind rarely rest around knowledge and progress in this hobby .Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Well this is ready for the first initial trim , 18 months after i put it together i has grown quite well .

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No real aftercare was taken

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, some of the branches have died back

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but it ready for a good work over

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. Unfortunately it a tad bit dark to take some more progression pics but that will be tomorrows project .It will get a bit more carving and then the wiring task will be done , hopefully it will turn out half decent as far as a trainer goes anyway .

Cheers Alpineart

[matty-j]

hey alpine

this has filled out nicely
mate you have inspired me to give this a go i think ill be on the hunt
for some wood this week/weekend
out of curiosity why did you change pot's?
and if you don't mind me asking what have you been feeding it?

thanks
Matt

[Andrew Legg]

Alpine, have you tried a wire brush attachment for a grinder? Very effective but you must wear a full face visor.

Yip, otherwise your beard will rust!

[bonsaipotter]

In SE Qld the challenge to find suitable pieces of wood and then protecting them from the elements and bugs encouraged me to have a go at 'making' my own tanuki timber out of clay and then firing it to a stone hard and impervious piece of ceramic.

Is that any less acceptabe than mating a non related piece of timber?
I'm not sure but the end result looks pretty good and the 'wood' will last forever and never need any treatment. I've just today attached two trees to their new 'deadwood', one a Daintree Pine and the other a small Shimpaku.

P1130684 deadwood.jpg

P1130687 deadwood.jpg

There are some earlier shots of these, in the making in other posts on my blog.

Cheers,
Happy Potter

bonsaipotterycoy.blogspot.com

[alpineart]

Hi Matty-j , mate these are the most rewarding concepts . Getting it to look natural is the hardest challenge . I needed the bigger pot for the azalea.s and the base needed to be lifted to allow fertilizer to be placed under the stump to allow root development . It has a good root mass now so it will be styled the re-potted into something a little more suited , thats if i can find a pot to suit . I feed all my plants "Rustic Plus" and seasol powerfeed , no particular schedule just when they look like the need it .

Cheers Alpine