AusBonsai

Bodhi, that is inspiring work you have done. What an amazing difference in the tree. What I love with this type of post is it makes us less experienced people look at our trees differently. That is some serious work to change the direction of the tree but will make such a better tree in the long run. Safe vs Awesome.....awesome wins hands down.

Thanks for sharing
Josh

Boics wrote:iper..A lot.
by Boics » Yesterday, 10:35 am

Very interesting tree Bodhi.

Really marks a move away from a traditional "cookie cut" Bonsai style.
I think this is really positive as it brings out the creative "art" component of Bonsai which is important.

Thanks Boics, I have been spending a lot of time in the last few years trying hard to look at how things can be done differently re styling trees and when this was suggested, as stated, i couldnt wait to give it a go. it is not easy to change your mind regards how you" see things " and being open to suggestion has been an eye opener for me.

Josh wrote:Bodhi, that is inspiring work you have done. What an amazing difference in the tree. What I love with this type of post is it makes us less experienced people look at our trees differently. That is some serious work to change the direction of the tree but will make such a better tree in the long run. Safe vs Awesome.....awesome wins hands down.

Cool Josh it is encouragement like yours that keeps us wanting to do these improvements to our trees.

This will be the next incarnation of this tree and has been formulating in my mind for a while now. How to finish the root ball so it does not have that chopped off look . It may not be this particular piece of driftwood but, if not, some similar piece. it will be carved and moulded to the rootball and somehow fixed but i need to look at it more ( and drink a couple more reds ) I will then discuss with some Potters the design of the pot it will go into. Potters out there give me some ideas.

I like it as it is - the addition of the root balances it very well, and the shapes harmonise with the foliage shapes, to me. Good to see each change as it happens.

Gavin

I like the way the tree has progressed. The driftwood is a surprise for me but It's OK. Perhaps too much of a feature and a reduced size may be better but it is quite novel and may become a major factor in making the tree unique and memorable

This thread has indeed inspired me to style a few of my Junipers this weekend!

I love Sunday's, i get some stuff done!!! I have redesigned a cascade pot into what i want and i will now see if i can get a potter to make a square, simple design, plain pot with the cutout. The driftwood has been moulded to fit and is wired into place . The tree will sit down in the pot so the driftwood will be at soil level. i wont fit it until the tree has been repotted into its new home. Any constructive criticism good or not so good welcomed.

Bodhi,

Have you thought of one of those crescent moon shaped pots?

Cheers, Andrew

Andrew Legg wrote:Have you thought of one of those crescent moon shaped pots?

How you doing Andrew? If you go back to page one and the drawing that Gerard did, that is the angle we are trying to get it into the pot at. There is no way a crescent would do the task. This tree still has a fair way to go and i want to get it exactly right. Thanks for the input Bro.

So humble to see photos of steps by steps. If you do not mind let me know how long it stay in training pot and after repot does it require a particular soil mix? Thanks

bodhidharma wrote:

Andrew Legg wrote:Have you thought of one of those crescent moon shaped pots?

How you doing Andrew? If you go back to page one and the drawing that Gerard did, that is the angle we are trying to get it into the pot at. There is no way a crescent would do the task. This tree still has a fair way to go and i want to get it exactly right. Thanks for the input Bro.

Hey bud, I have been a bit scarce of late on here. Been spending some time on SA bonsai forum to try to get some energy going for our local forum. Otherwise all is well. Just plodding along. Life. Kids. Schools. Work. You know the gig.

I do like the vision in that drawing as well. Time to go out and do some bonsai and stop lurking on the web. See ya.

bonsais wrote:If you do not mind let me know how long it stay in training pot and after repot does it require a particular soil mix? Thanks

Hi Bonsais, It will live in its training pot until until i can find someone who can make what i require for its new look. The tree has already had etensive root work done so it can go straight into its new home. I mix my own soils and try to achieve a very free draining soil mix.

I have found someone (Petrus Spronk) who is a renowned Potter, to make a pot for me. Actually he made two for this tree. The first is a light one with patterns of leaves in it. I think he pressed the leaves into it while the clay was still moist, and a red one. problems have arisen regards firing as a collective of clay Artists here in Daylesford were kicked out of their Studio by a GREEDY landlord. It will be fired soon but it is now in its training pot. This is his first attempt at Bonsai pots and the photos are in their raw state but i am leaning toward the lighter one but will wait until firing as i am sure they will change. The tree is now in its final position in the pot and will only require fine tuning into its new pot. The driftwood has been fine tuned (as in a new piece located) it was found on this property while i was on a meditative walk, and has been carved to fit snuggly over the root system as it comes out of the pot. it will be lime sulphered but i dont want it to white. The trunkline has been adjusted to its new angle but i wont shift any branches until it has settled into its new home. Just branch and foliage refinement now. Many thanks to the people who have helped and especially Gerard who was instrumental in this trees evolution and is a good friend. Maybe i can seduce him with alcohol to come over and help me with wiring out the tree this Summer? Enjoy the photos and, as always, constructive critiques welcomed.

Nice to see it coming together, achieving the desired potting angle has made a big difference.
Will will find it much easier to persuade me to bend the elbow than it was with the tree.

Gerard wrote:Will find it much easier to persuade me to bend the elbow than it was with the tree.

Its a date Mate, Hope your demo's were Awesome.