Squamata Prostrata

[Mitchell]

Went to my first ever bonsai class tonight!
Took this plant, Clinton Nesci believes the above virt to be the way to go using the bottom branch as a cascade.

It pleases me that I might be able to pull a bonsai out of this mess.

[kcpoole]

Just got home too after just meeting Mitchell at his first school night

Great to meet in the flesh and what a great discussion about his tree.
A few eyebrows went up when he said, it was just a stock tree, and then walked in with the monster

Biggest Trunk I have seen on a Juni in real life, and the thing is easily about 3 feet hight,

It will be great to see the progression of this one as everyone had their own ideas. Love to see the creative ideas flowing

Ken

[Mitchell]

Thanks Ken!

Was a nerve racking/exciting experience.

I'm not someone whom can easily socialize with others, rather a loner really.
I could have happily continued in my own lil' bonsai world but decided to push myself into it. I am glad I did as I can see it will benefit me not only with bonsai.

I'd like to thank you for making me more than welcome and I can see by your techniques/attitude/persona that we shall have some exciting times ahead!
look forward to mixing it up a bit and having a great time doing it.

Thanks mate.


ken also had his own ideas on the plant too, we shall see where it all blends together. I'm still in two minds about loosing the top completely, I would still like to keep some foliage up there... maybe semi cascade?

[Jamie]

hi man,

try this one on for size great bit of stock to work with, do it some justice

virt for mitch.jpg

[kcpoole]

No Worries mate
I will make sure you enjoy yourself

Glad you jumped in, We are a nice bunch

Ken

[kcpoole]

Thats a real nice Virt Jamie
Ah Mitchell, Decision Decisions

Print them both and have a look at them often to decide which sort of way you like

[Mitchell]

Thanks Jamie!

In your virt, do you see full filled foliage or individual smaller wired pads for the tail? Where you have the apex, I only have small branches to work with, pom pom's really. Not sure if I could fill it in like your virt.

Like Ken said, decisions, decisions...

I clipped another 4 tails of it last night after class, then jinned them.
I'll try and grab some pics, as it has opened it up somewhat, perhaps with a better view...

[Jamie]

hi mitch, the virt is only a guideline, if you only have smaller thin branches to work with then you could select a leader and grow it out strong. my idea for the virt would be a long term plan. tail wise i would go with pads but very close together, same with the apex it is more natural for the juniper species.

Jamie

[Mitchell]

Thanks mate!

A few update shots after shedding some more tails.

I was thinking of wiring out the lower branch to put some movement in it.

[Jamie]

it looks like to me you got heaps to work with for an apex, that branch starts from higher up then i thought, you might have to do some heavy bending to the lower trunk to get the tail a little lower.

jamie

[dayne]

that lower branch is far to high for a cascade or semi cascade id try for somthing like a literati jmho

[Mitchell]

I was thinking, tilt that front to the right 45% and jack the gap between the trunk and the tail open more. Hopefully that should gives a nice hook over the pot edge.
I think a cascade would work if tilted over.

Though I have seen a few cascades done at this angle and the finished image although tall made for a impressive cascade.

Lit is certainly in the back of my mind, that's why I've only cut the tails off and not reduced the height.

[dayne]

id draw up what you propose before you do it and go from there allways hard to tell from on the photos ive posted photos and they look nothing like the tree

[Mitchell]

My rooms filling up with drawings mate.

Too many options, I think that is my problem at the moment.

[Gareth]

well from something that was though to not have many options at the start i think you might end up having a nice little tree in the end.

That bottom branch, if it was me i would shorten it up and bring it up, not lower in the cascade postion it is now, i agree that it would look out of place as a cascade/semi.

then perhaps bend the upper trunk back a bit more towards that branch, over the centreline of the tree, in the first picture if the top of the trunk was more curved and over the lower branch after it was shortened up and wired a bit flatter, you could then work whatever other branches you have to balance out the tree.