Literati Juniper - Entry No#1

[Jamie]

just a little tip mate, if you can wire those pads out a little bit so they look a little sparser it will give the tree a lighter feel but also allow for better growth and open up the inner areas of the pads to let light and air in which will help with growth

if wiring isnt an option pinching will work sweet, you seem to have that down pat very well anyways, those pads look very defined!

jamie

[kvan64]

That's a good idea actually! I will do that especially to the lowest branch as I felt the it didn't have enough sunlight. Besides, it's relatively easy to wire them back near the end. Thanks Jamie.

Also apart from ST twice a month and slow release pellets, I don't have any other fertilising plan for this. Has anyone had any experience fertilising jups with great sucess?

[kvan64]

Just some update as suggested.
I think the overall design looked a bit too conforming and lack resistance to the "wind" direction. I have changed the movement to be more struggling. The folliage will be selected and some branches will be removed in spring.

[bodhidharma]

G'day Kvan, it is coming along nicely but i will play the good cop, bad cop here as it is your tree and you will make the final judgement. So, the classic line is...if it were my tree... i would strongly consider losing the three lowest branches. the lowest completely and the other two to be jinned. the lowest branch does not fit into Literati refinements and jinning the other two will enhance the trunk line. Food for thought?

[Pup]

Just some update as suggested.
I think the overall design looked a bit too conforming and lack resistance to the "wind" direction. I have changed the movement to be more struggling. The folliage will be selected and some branches will be removed in spring.

Kev the background is a bit busy for my eyes is there a chance of a plain back so we can see more clearly the lines. It is looking very healthy.

Cheers Pup

[kvan64]

Got some clear pics here pup.

[Pup]

You will have to loose some of those branches, especially the lower ones if you wish to go further with the Bunjingi, as it is far to busy.
Also the top needs some definition,and some branches need shortening. It is very healthy so that is a very good sign.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers Pup

[kvan64]

Yep. I recently cleaned up the folliage of the upper branches that was close to the trunk and revealed more stems. These will need to be rewired.
I want to cut down all the lower branches (3) but this would leave an even number of branches (4) that may not be pleasing the eyes?
Edit: I tried a virt for 3 branches. Does it look too bold?

[jarryd]

I like the low branches they give this tree some character, otherwise it is just pretty much boring. You could cut them and try to force it into a classical style because it is a specific style competition, or you could leave it as is an refine pads and give it a nice feminine pot, something light to suit the gentle curves and simplicity.

i know the option i would go for .

[kvan64]

Just some update for my jup entry. I was trying to refine the movements and realized that since I modified the design recently, the movements are not set yet. I had to rewire the whole thing and this time I have spreaded the wires out evenly to equalize the pressure. I also used some guy-wires to traumatize the sharp bents. The middle branches were also have folliage removed to make it look more like literati. The bottom branch is a sacrified branch now and may be removed at final stage.
One problem I see so far is that the young wood may not set well enough in December and I may have to leave the wires there.

I also made a pot for this tree. It's an accent pot and I'm not quite sure if I should keep it with the natural paper clay color or wash it with magnezium dioxide or glaze it moss-green colour or any other colour. Any suggestion would be great.
Cheers,
DK

[Jamie]

very nice DK!

this one is coming along in leaps and bounds! and i like your pots to mate to be honest though i think the pot on the right hand side in the pic with the 3 pots would be the one to use

i would keep it a plain pot re. the colour, if you can get it to lose the purplish colour to a more chocolate colour would suit it better.

great stuff!

[kvan64]

Which one on the right jamie? I'll play around with the colouring. Chocolate colour sounds interesting.
Thanks,
DK

[Jamie]

hi mate,

second last pic, right hand bottom pot infront of the round drum

[kvan64]

hi mate,

second last pic, right hand bottom pot infront of the round drum

Thanks Jamie. I am not so good directions but this is very clear

I really like it well done DK!

Thanks Antt. There's still a fair bit o refinement to do.

Thats a nice pot Kvan. I like the thickness of the wall or the impression of thickness . It matches the smooth finish somehow!
I would be thinking an oxide wash but I have so many colours in my head at the moment I am just taking pot shots.
Oh I know what about a light coat of coloured slip and then a wash. I like the smoothness but maybe this will give it just a little texture.
If you haven't yet, consider some channels on the bottom to take the tie in wire and at least a nice big chamfer on the bottom of the drainage hole to help drainage.

I thought they where all the same pot I would think the high part would go to the right.

Thanks for all the good suggestions Bretts. You are right, the high part should go to the right and I got the front mixed up The clay has set a bit and maybe too late to add any thing to it but I can always make another one Believe or not, I only test-fired the kiln and haven't fired a single pot yet since I bought the kiln last year! I've tried the wheel too but hopelessly failed so handbuilding is the only way for me now

[kvan64]

Well, it's time for some refining. I have removed the wires and guy-wires. The sacrifical branches also got removed. As predicted, the branches have not set well enough to stay in place. Also they need further training to have defined movements so I rewired the remaining branches. The two dead branches (were intended for jins) have been jinned. I didn't repot the tree at the start of spring and feel that it seems a bit too hot now here to do so. For the well being of the tree, I may just leave it in the current pot.

Even though the tree still have a long way to go before becoming a convincing literati bonsai, I feel that I have learnt a lot through this competition. It's a steep learning curve for me and I'm glad that I've taken part in this competition. Thank you to those who have help me with ideas and suggestions. Also thank you Ausbonsai to give me the opportunity to go this far with literati.
Cheers,
DK