AusBonsai

Old mate blowing some magic dust on it..can all do with some of that

This post is for John (Boom64) in relation to a question he raised off his thread "Finally some flowers" here:viewtopic.php?f=6&t=27641

John, the Olive still represents a challenge. Below are photos from today. These photos show why I have kept the straight bit - on that older extending piece, I get olives (see the little fruits appearing - very cool, I reckon.) I believe it is not easy to get olives on a Bonsai (I may be wrong.) Anyway, why cut off the hand that feeds you ... so to speak.

As this thread showed perviously - I tried bending it, until it broke a little but when I removed the clamp, it basically straightened back up. I may have removed the clamp too early. At last there's now a little bend for my efforts.

Regardless, my current thoughts are to disguise the straight bit with the vigorous new growth. It's already starting to happen.

Also, that invasive little weed in the pot - I have been told to remove it. I have been told to keep it because it's not damaging the tree and it provides an interesting ground cover. In truth, I know not what to do but I tried to rid myself of it, and it came charging back!! So it wins, now I keep it. Indeed, I reckon this weed climbing up the straight trunk and hanging/draping down... may look fantastic! Am I breaking every rule here? Who knows.

This is one of my favourite trees which I purchased from a Vietnamese bonsai show. I love that it is 'different'; I really enjoy the design challenge (and that it grows olives )

Hi Mark ,
Thanks for the update. Funny how you see hundreds of Trees online and only a few make a permanent impression .This was one of them. The straightness I think is a real asset. Yes ,I know I would have tried to put some movement originally but maybe that would have been a mistake. The contrast with the zig zag of the smaller branches and the apex give it a certain uniqueness. Strength comes to mind. Great tree in my opinion and can only get better .Enjoy the Olives. Hope I have not waffled on to much. I will post up the tree with dead straight sections I have .
Cheers John.

Cheers John. No need to apologise for waffle. Firstly, you didn’t waffle and secondly - I am possibly this forum’s biggest waffler!!

Glad you like the tree. It’s a real divider - I have had two experienced members at our club debate the tree. One says poo-tickets, start again (or words to that effect) another says “this tree is what Bonsai is all about”. And there lies the subjective nature of our hobby. Have a good day.

Repotted this today ... smaller but deeper oval pot ... a little bit of the Mediterranean in the colour too. This tree brings me joy ... it’s not a classic design - indeed, I am not sure it is a ‘design’ but I think it is improving - getting more interesting, complex and perhaps somehow more cohesive? Even with the straight bit ...







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That's a beautiful new pot for your olive, I'm jealous. The pot really suits that tree, much better than the dinner plate you had it on before . I also like that tree because it "different".

Raging Bull wrote:That's a beautiful new pot for your olive, I'm jealous. The pot really suits that tree, much better than the dinner plate you had it on before . I also like that tree because it "different".

C’mon Frank - it is an olive .... food and plates go together... no? . As usual - cheers for the feedback. Hope you’re enjoying the surf too!


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Good to see again Mark. Improving every update , pot is a cool choice. Great asset the straight bit....Cheers John.

And now for something completely different …. I can always return it to the lovey blue pot but ….
a mate made me a bonsai pot from a wine barrel ….so…





… could be lockdown 6 madness .. or not.


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Perfection I reckon.

Interesting combination I think it works .

That's an nice combination, the rocks especially work well. I think I still prefer the blue pot but it's good to try new things out and see how they look, especially with such an interesting tree.

Matt.

My thinking is that the platter is like a display only pot. In truth, I don’t think I can keep it on the platter and keep it healthy over a long period but I’ll enjoy it for few weeks … and return it to the blue pot in which which it will grow freely.

So… good experiment I’ll keep it as a ‘show’ pot.


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You'll be the only one on this forum who can boast that his tree was aged in oak
ps I still prefer the blue pot too.

Agree that the wood pot is going to cause problems long term. Rock planters are bad enough at wicking moisture away from the roots but an open timber container like this would be a nightmare to keep up with the watering, even for an olive.