Training or Trainee??

[Gerard]

Nice work mate, it is coming along great!

Putting the two pictures, next to each other shows the dramatic change in such a short period.

I like that you put a bit more movement in the leader with this wiring, and it looks like it is starting to bark up a bit more too, which is always welcome!

Also have you tried using copper wire? I find that it gives a much cleaner look and you can use a lot less and gives better control.

Hi Scott,

I have never owned any copper wire and I am not sure how easy it is to get. I am sure I will give it a go at some stage but learning how to use it best and then later having a reliable supply are the main problems.

[Gerard]

A year down the track and it is time for more maintenance

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I plan to keep the main sacrifice branch for a bit longer, and use the bone above it as the future primary branch.

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The needles on the future primary branch have been left a bit thicker and longer.
I am not quite happy with the long section of the trunk which lacks branches but in the winter I plan to make a sharper bend and compress this section slightly. There is also a sub branch on the left which I will be able to bring across the front of this section of the trunk.

[bodhidharma]

Leaps and bounds for this one Gerard. love the bit of movement you have created at the apex.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Looking good Gerard.

With regard to the long straight section...maybe this?

I don't think that it would take that much to get the lift required, you'd be able to get a bit of forward lean quite easily too.

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[The Hacker]

Hi Gerard

Very nice this is the first time i've seen this tree & it has come along wat in a short time

Regards The Hacker

[Gerard]

Looking good Gerard.

With regard to the long straight section...maybe this?

I don't think that it would take that much to get the lift required, you'd be able to get a bit of forward lean quite easily too.

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Thanks Scott,
This will mean starting again with healing a big scar but it is an idea I will consider seriously before the winter wiring.

[bodhidharma]

A nice solution to the problem Scott. Well done, gotta go for it Gerard,

[the grasshopper]

great job!

[Scott Roxburgh]

I see your point on the scar, you may be lucky and get a nice new bud just where you need it

[Jow]

Gerard, A couple of grafts on the upper trunk could also be an option.... You could do them early spring/late winter, if they dont take then you could go with the other option.

[anttal63]

Agreed with all that has been said here !!! Yes better movement has been established and yes good ramification is taking place, hence smaller needle's BUT unfortunately the base of the tree has been left behind. Sacrafice branch will do very little to erictify that when potted in such a small pot. This is an issue when trees are developed too quick b4 allowed to grow on, trunk chopped grow on, and so on. this will be the very issue that weakens the image of this tree if not addressed at some stage. So trunk ratio matters again and greatly here !!! Sorry Gezz needs to be said... Ps Scotts trunk will go a long way to helping although i would do it different. Rather than lifting the left branch i would cut clean from the right hand branch and wait to pick up a bud off the top of the right hand ranch as a new leader. Cleaner chop = more taper and movement.

[Gerard]

I have decided to keep the apex and have developed a branch which should make a good approach graft.
The sacrifice branch will remain for a while, some thickening had happened and a bigger pot would be faster,
I am enjoying working on this tree as the ramification is improving all the time. I am also surprised at how far the candles have grown already.

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[Edward Scissorhand]

Very nice update Gerard, looks like its going to be a very nice tree. How thick is it?

[Ryan1979b]

Its looking great, come on sacfafice branch do your stuff

[Gerard]

Very nice update Gerard, looks like its going to be a very nice tree. How thick is it?

Sorry Edward, I missed your post
Trunk between the roots and sacrifice branch is 4.5cm thick. I have wrapped some thin wire around this section which I will allow to bite in order to achieve some swelling.
A few months ago I attempted two grafts (scions) one has failed but the second looks promising.

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The candles will be reduced again in about 4 weeks and the sacrifice branch will come off in winter

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