advice on new LARGE Japanese apricot

[blkrota]

Dude that is sweet i just bought one from leong today, Only one left now. someone put a hold on the big one so i had to choose between two.

Do you know what you are going to do with it yet?

[Bretts]

Hey Astro
I saw the ones that Leong had for sale last year and they were very nice. I would think of getting one this year but it sounds like I might be too late!
I notice you have had virtually no input on the first styling and I gather that is because it will not be an easy decision. There are some fat branches there but I don't think it is out of the question to be able to utilize most of them. The obvious first choice would be an informal upright broom. Removing the thickest branches finding an informal upright line with a broom silhouette. It reminds me some what of my American hornbeam in that regard. Can't say I have seen an impressive apricot in this style before they are usually lots of deadwood and stuff but I reckon that is alot to do with the stock avialable in thier regard. You don't hear alot about nursery grown Apricot stock for bonsai. It seems a pity to waste a tree in this form making it something it is not.
I would be considering a penjing influence in the styling here I think it will give you more options to utilise the branching available.

Leong would sure have some ideas on the direction I am sure he would have styled one or two of his creations and would be able to give some great advice. It is very nice stock and the first styling is going to be a very important step. Leong has classes doesn't he. If I was you I would consider taking this along to one of his classes in Spring.

[astroboy76]

blkrota, i got the biggest one! hehe. Leong gave me first choice. i was hounding him for months waiting for them. i also bought a red flowering apricot from ray nesci. its small but in my garden so it can grow grow grow. no idea what to do yet. im sorta too scared to touch it. will wait till the flowers drop, do the standard cut back and then start thinning all the undesirable braches and take it from there. do u have any pics of yours? what u gonna do with your one. i see ur in sydney. we shoudl catch up some time. PM me if you want

laters

[astroboy76]

Bretts, Leong discussed options with me when i purchased it. the side angle showing the curv int he tunk will be the front. i want to remove most of the thick branches gradually and replace them with finer more ramified growth. i also discussed this tree with ray from nesci bonsai, and he advised that prunus mume are fast growers and can tolerate quite a bit of butchering. i am not a fan of broom style for prunus or malus. i ahve a few that are great broom styles but this tree i want to be graceful and more fluid. i want the trunk line to be more defined and tapered. mume backbud really easily and readily so it will be no issue to obtain the same sillouette with finer growth then the thick heavy branches it has now. i will aim to keep some of the branhces but upon closer inspection alot of them are simply too large or crossing over one another or growing aginst the movement of the tree. i am just going to be patient and study this beauty until it starts to sing a design to me