Test Dummy Jacaranda

[time8theuniverse]

This is the test dummy Jacaranda mimosifolia that I started to work with in October 2011 to see what I could do with it. It was neglected stock form a family friends nursery. I am going to start referring to it as Blue Lagoon (BL). Blue Lagoon because of the tropical lagoon arches it has now and 5 pronged aerial roots. There is also some inspiration from MattA’s Crab Cove Jacaranda. BL was probably a year, or two, old when I first acquired it. It been defoliated 6-7 times already and had some styling.

Is in a pot that is 20X25cm, which is large than it need but is good enough to get some more growth out of the plant. BL is 30cm high, 36cm wide and 18cm deep. Its trunk diameter is 1.5cm.

It still has a long journey ahead of it to be a good bonsai but it has taught me a lot about the species to work on other Jacaranda. So the plan for the future is to develop more arching structure in the tree and put more growth through the trunk. I think a nice textured ocean blue pot will be in its future, I’m not certain how big it will be yet.

AB09.jpg

AB10.jpg

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[MattA]

Just tip pruned CC as its already thumping again

[time8theuniverse]

I figured I would give an update on BL as it got wired today. Not really the right time of the year for this but its deciduous, so . I wasn't hppy with how it looked, so there is no really before shot. I had a branch curling to cross over the top of the trunk, which is just the wrong way for it to go, and it has came off now. Some of the other branches where shortened, taking most of the leaves with them. Then I wired in some more movement and pulled the trunk down lower.

Its starting to have bud burst now, so this treatment will hopefully get more back budding. Getting some of the branches which weren't strong enough to hold the shape, and snapped off at the trunk, would be nice.

Also It doesn't technically have a front yet. I'll have to see where I go with that problem but a round pot would be good. Like the one I got from Val for my other Jac.

(p.s. I also found you can rotate the picture right there in the folder on the thumbnail with the right mouse button. I had realised that before.)

[Neli]

Looks better now. Are you going to leave the roots like this?

[time8theuniverse]

I don't have a plan for the tree. It has changed so much from the bare stick it started as.

I do like the roots. I am thinking of them as a tree that has had a bank washed away from it, exposing the base. Lots more work to do but it has turned out to be easy to work with.

[Neli]

Did the leaf reduce a lot, or you have not started that yet?

[MattA]

Coming along nicely mate, keep letting the tree tell you where it wants to go and you are on a winner

They really are easy trees and reward attention with fast results. Seeing your post has reminded me to get a pic of CC, it is looking really nice with its winter cover of gold.

[time8theuniverse]

Leaf size reduces well. You just have to keep defoliating and being in a pot helps. I have 4cm leave on one at the moment.

I don't know if it will ever flower as a bonsai though.

[Neli]

Thank You! We have them big ones here so I was scared to use it.