AusBonsai

I used a Grewia for my first root over rock attempt.
The flowers are fantastic and the tree flexible and considerate. The main problem was my inability to let the plant / roots cook under ground for the first full growing year.

I unearthed the tree after about 4 months of the roots and rock being buried. The last 4 years have been spent trying to get the top roots to hug the rock. I think I am getting close.

Apart from the slight gap between roots and rock, I would be interested to know your thoughts on where I could take this tree
Regards
Steve

Hi Steven
I was just talking about this species today. I grabbed one from Rays as I thought the wife would love it for the flowers. I was right and after selling it on her I had better follow through on the promise to get her a better one. I have a flash pot lined up.
We did not have ours long but it was always flowering as Ray said it would.
I have done a quick mud map of what I can see for this tree. Removing that first left branch. Grow out that first right branch. You could go a fair distance and still be balanced, I think it will need to come up a little just so that it is in tune with the other branches. I would shorten the other main branch on the left even if it is only to balance the growth for a while so the top leader can thicken some.
Without seeing the back I would consider bending that top left root over to the back of the rock. I think it could look better and also has the advantage of minimising the gap between root and rock.

Hi Brett,
You are right – the flowers are beautiful and flower continuously for a large part of the year.
Removing dead flower heads significantly improves flower volume.

Thanks for your design suggestions.
The lower two branch (stubs) were actually sacrificial branches which were cut back immediately before the photo. Luckily I did not remove them totally

Your comments imply a more vertical and balanced tree whereas I had been thinking of biasing weight more to the left.
Good food for thought and will reflect on that and sharpen the cutters in the meantime.

Regards
Steve

Hi Steve. I like the flow of this bonsai the way it moves to the left following the trunk movement. I can see what Soltan sees but I prefer the current vision you have for it.
The exposed roots look sweet but it is a shame you lifted it before they had a chance to grab the rock fully. It looks like you are getting that sorted though.
Nice job though and great to see a progression like it!
BB

Peter Adams taught us a lot of uses for Gorilla Glue during his seminar. I found it to also be a good solution to wayward roots in root over rock plantings.

So far I have only tried it on the LHS of this Grewia and will use it on the RHS later in Summer.
Regards
Steve

gone gang busters mate. hope you dont mind me having a play with the weight distribution.

cheers ant, ya done most of the work, i think it needs a more even crown

a little like this, and the flower display would then be wicked
looks a little dense though, maybe more pad like then full canopy but i think it looks more balanced then just having it more prominent to one side

JMO

cheers


jamie

Thanks Guys,

I know I have been a bit of a woose with this one and appreciate your thoughts and virtuals.

I cant figure out whether to go left or right with this one, but will do so over the coming weeks and get the shears out.....

Again thanks for the virtuals it is always good when someone else gives their opinion.

Regards
Steve

i just realised my crappy virt is basically where ya are now

i reckon just a bit of refinement into tight pads creating a sweet canopy and you will be on track mate.

jamie

Hey mate , do they sometimes call this plant 'lavander star'?

Psymo wrote:Hey mate , do they sometimes call this plant 'lavander star'?

yes mate, thats the one

Hi Steve, the tree has progressed well since 2005.
I have tweaked the tree a little.
I tidied up the outline of the tree a little then:
1. I moved the apex across to the left
2. I lowered the 2nd left branch by 10 degrees
3. I created another foliage pad from the existing primary LH branch by lowering the outer half of the branch and separating it from a smaller inner pad, I just felt that the tree needed more visual weight on the lower left to help anchor the tree
4. I removed the lower RH branch

Beyond this, perhaps a wider pot?

Cheers
MM

Hi MM,
Thanks very much for the virtual – I appreciate the time you would have taken to produce it.

This is more along the lines of where I had been heading in my mind although I hadn’t considered separating the leaf pad on the lower LH branch.

I am challenging whether I had been going in the right direction. Another option in Antonio’s second virtual is also credible as it tells a story of a tree clinging for life and slowly falling to the right under gravity.

In the interim I think I will introduce the “tweaks” you suggested before going the full monty.

With respect to tidying up the outline, it hasn’t been cleaned up for a while as I have been enjoying the flowers. Yesterday arvo I had a rush of blood to the head and photographed all the trees. Unfortunately I had not removed the old flowers diligently the night before and therefore I didn’t have a flush of flowers in time for the photograph yesterday.

Again, thanks for your virtual and thoughts.

Regards
Steve

Mojo is right on the money right there.Good job pal ,thats what i would be going for

Hi Roka,
I think / thought he was as well

I spent a couple of hours this arvoworking the tree over. At the moment it is having an overnight bath and I hope to post another piccy tomorrow. Just hope it lives up to Mojo's virtual......

Regards
Steve