AusBonsai

I may be perverse, but have you thought of combining the lot into one massive forest? The two outer groups each maybe look a little empty in the middle. If you put the tall group (right) back behind the middle group, off to the left a bit, and the left group drifting off to the right (as it naturally does), you might hasve osmething quite complex, where each group fills out the others.

Just my 2c. It might be dementia setting in.

Gavin

Very insightful Gavin
Cheers
Kirky

Thanks Gavin, certainly not dementia. As Kirky notes - insightful.

Indeed, that is my step-dad's recommendation too - albeit not with the specificity of your placement.

The idea is certainly in play. It also aligns with my love of forests and group plantings and makes one three pots one. (Albeit one a bit heaver! ) Indeed, the keen eye on the thread will see that four pots become three not so long ago.

Thank you for the thought.

@Gavin

Well - let's start with mistakes...I always make mistakes! This re-potting's mistake was underestimating the size of the group ... That said, I am confident the root work will be fine; it was harsher than the photos below show but not what I would call extreme. Further, it is early for re-potting...but these trees seem reasonably robust, so I think they'll be fine until spring arrives. My question (mostly to myself) but happy for others to answer is whether it is now too chaotic or whether I am just getting used to the density. I think the moss is to too heavy as well - it takes way from trunks ... anyway ... the pictures tell the story. In short, I am happy - a complex yet manageable and reasonably natural looking setting is developing. And now I have three more spare pots.

Looks good to me, chaos looks OK in some situations. It certainly doesn't look planed and that I think is what you are going for.

I really like this Mark. What a great idea bringing them together. Looking forward to seeing it progress

GavinG wrote: ↑June 11th, 2020, 5:45 pm I may be perverse, but have you thought of combining the lot into one massive forest? The two outer groups each maybe look a little empty in the middle. If you put the tall group (right) back behind the middle group, off to the left a bit, and the left group drifting off to the right (as it naturally does), you might hasve osmething quite complex, where each group fills out the others.

Just my 2c. It might be dementia setting in.

Gavin

Thanks Gavin (not Gerard ) I am happy. As you noted, it is indeed quite a complex group and I will cut 'n' grow to shape and ramify one the years. Works for me as it starts to bud out. And one pot, while heavier, is much easier to manage that the seperate pots I used to have.

Don't know how I missed this thread before, but well done Mark It looks very natural and un-contrived, which is not easy to achieve with group plantings in a lot of cases.
Cheers, Frank.

Looks great as a group and will be nice to see them settle in together over the next few years, definitely progress here.
Not sure about reality, but I even like the angle (see thumbnail below) that you put up in the repotting post as an alternative front...

Putting them together has undeniably taken 3 plants with some promise to one group with an excellent future ahead. It will only develop better from here and mesh into a really Coll little clump imo. Great work Mark

First trim of the season. You all know this my now but I do like getting lost in my bonsai forests.


Thanks again for the foresight Gavin. Some may say that biggest middle clump was starting to stand alone but I like ‘em together and my enjoyment of group platings makes it even more satisfying.


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This group is almost too complex for my little skull to comprehend... I like it but I also liked three separate clumps ... I’m confused but delighted with how these root cuttings have progressed and with three clips through this most growing season it is starting to ramify well.


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My worth :- don't change it!! It's starting to look like a real "wild wood". Love it.

Agree looks great very natural
Cheers
Kirky

Ok I’ll keep running with it.


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