AusBonsai

OK Boys and Girls

Had the misfortune of going on another olive dig, and you all know that as much as Wyatt and I hate olives and in particular BIG olives, sometimes we just feel the need to be silly. The result is as follows. 2 hours digging. 9 Chainsaw sharpening sessions. 2 Chain blow-offs. More carbon emissions than would be polite to count, and a partridge in a pear tree. Thanks to my dig partner Steven le Roux for the help!

As I said, this is just a wee one. You can get a sense of scale from the hose and Gardena fitting.
I decided to cut it in half to create two mames . . . . .
Resulting trees should hold some potential with a bit of luck. I'm having Viky over this weekend to chat about design options and will then make my final cuts and pot them up ready to grow on for a few years . . . . .

Wow that's a bit of work in getting that out of the ground.
It got a lot of potential and I really like the natural hollows it has.

What can't you do to an olive?

Hi Andrew,
You have some work there mate. I like the dead wood, you should be able to do some great carving. This will be great to see in a couple of years. Please keep posting about this one.

Regards Ray

OK, so with a bit of thought and discussion with Viky, the decision is to plant this olive at this angle. Comments?
Cheers,

Andrew

Nice material Andrew, still picking out the little ones I see.

what are your plans for the other half? That's the one that looks really interesting.

Justin Hervey wrote:Nice material Andrew, still picking out the little ones I see.

what are your plans for the other half? That's the one that looks really interesting.

Seems to be that I have a weakness huh! The other half will be photo'ed in it's correct position once I'm feeling a bit better (it's a smidge heavier) - I currently feel like I've got a hedgehog stuck in my throat!

The suggested potting angle make the best of the current triangle shape, which is technically what you want for creating the depth of field in a bonsai but I guess that only works if you keep the stump at the top and carve it. Its a good angle to start with before you see where the shoots come out from but it could end up being more straight and still work really well.

Yes nice stump.

Look forward to seeing this evolve over the years.
Might be nice to see a few more notes / virts on where you hope to take this Andrew?

time8theuniverse wrote:The suggested potting angle make the best of the current triangle shape, which is technically what you want for creating the depth of field in a bonsai but I guess that only works if you keep the stump at the top and carve it. Its a good angle to start with before you see where the shoots come out from but it could end up being more straight and still work really well.

Hi T8TU,

That's so true. We spend too much time trying to force our trees to do what we want and not enough time trying to gentle guide them with what they give us! Specially in Yamadori!! I only envisage having a final concept in about 3 to 4 years when I see what the tree gives me to work with. That top stump is pretty rotten, so I'm not sure how much will survive, but time will tell.

Boics wrote:Yes nice stump.

Look forward to seeing this evolve over the years.
Might be nice to see a few more notes / virts on where you hope to take this Andrew?

I'll try to put something together today Boics, but no guarantees!

Good dig Andrew.
You can make even two bonsai out of the last one...and make a uro in front of the taller one.

Neli wrote:Good dig Andrew.
You can make even two bonsai out of the last one...and make a uro in front of the taller one.

Thanks Neli,

When I'm feeling stronger I'll take a stab at getting it potted and choosing a front. I think for now I'm going to keep it as one, but who knows which way the wind will blow!

Righty-ho then Boics, here's a blank canvas for y'all to have a little play with. What would you guys 'n gals do? Virts baby . . . . give me virts!
I look forward to seeing what people come up with. I'm working on my ideas in the interim.

Andrew

No Big olives this weekend please.... I have not got the trailer so you will be restricted to small stuff.....

Brett Simon wrote:Andrew

No Big olives this weekend please.... I have not got the trailer so you will be restricted to small stuff.....

Who me? What you looking at me for?

Thanks for the lift by the way - What time you gonna pick me up?