Silly Pet Projects. Post yours

[bodhidharma]

When i started Bonsai i wanted it all. Every book you browse through you think, i want one like that. The reality dawns on you as you get more knowledgeable Most of my projects were abandoned as i realised the ridiculousness of the vision and what the outcome would be. My wrap around of a Chinese elm around a stick is now planted out in my front lawn and is a full sized tree. But this is one project i would like to see through. Inspired by Harry tomlinson's book and a Tamarix Tanuki (phoenix graft) I got to work on locating a stump and my project was underway. Two things i didnt understand then was that Tamarix are SLOOOWWW and the second was..get a stump that fits in with your plans. Oh yes, and carve the stump BEFORE you do the grafts. It will now be very difficult to hollow out So, this project is now 15 years old, yes i know what you are thinking," but it hasnt made much progress" And it is true, but it has taught me patience. Hells bells, i didnt even know Tamarix flowered. Anyway, join me if you have a pet project and post it here and we can see what happened in another ten years. Dont be shy or embarrassed.

[GavinG]

I think the vision is all good. Would you consider ground-growing it, with the trunks tied firmly to the stump with grafting tape, just to speed it up, and get some bulk in the leader? Have you other tamarisks in the ground, growing their own way? It's a very niche taste, but the trunks age very well, and the branch habit is distinctive. Thanks for posting.

Gavin

[Neli]

I dont have one...apart for my first tanuki for this competition. So I need to think and have one...I can see it is fun!
Does turning cufea into a bonsai count...I had nothing more to chop wire on my close or over 1000 trees, so I attacked the cufea in the garden...all else was dug out already. Thought I can practice forming different pads on it.

[MattA]

Great project Bodhi, given the species I am not surprised it has taken 15yrs so far, keep at it, when least expected others will suddenly see why you have bothered this long.

As for silly projects that covers over half my collection but the one I have spent the most time on is my Vireya Rhododendron, the last pic taken was this one. Its since had the tail shortened by over half & an upper branch brought down to continue the fall.

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[Watto]

No laughing now!
I had a plum that I'd dug that had a reasonable nabari but the trunk was like a telegraph pole. So I decided to cut the trunk straight across, and then with what was left cut a big V down the middle. The plan was then to glue the heartwood and clamp the two sides together to give the tree some taper. Hopefully the cambiums would meet and eventually grow together.
The pictorial is below.
I failed to get a photo before the work started but something I did learn - I needed to screw the two sides together temporarily until the glue was set, now I can't get the screws out because they are glued in - hello!
Anyway, a fun project that is not over - yet.

[PAUL2229]

^^^ that's not silly, that is genius lol

[Watto]

Thanks Paul. I really need another photo to see how it is going!

[Andrew F]

Thats gold lol, way to induce taper.

[jadecuphey87]

That's a really great idea. Nice

[Graeme]

When i started Bonsai i wanted it all. Every book you browse through you think, i want one like that. The reality dawns on you as you get more knowledgeable

I reckon this just about applies to every single person who has ever started Bonsai, mate (note - started, not just continued with ) I know my dream, when I first started off, was to have one of every type of Ficus. That was one of every type, not variety. Considering we have over 600 figs out there at present it would have ended up quite a collection I reckon.

I presently have 6 different figs in the back yard - although I do intend to increase that number by one.

[Watto]

Bodhi - I don't think there are many crazies out there! Well, there is you, and me, and maybe Matt - and probably everyone else is "normal".
What do you think?

[time8theuniverse]

This just seems normal me. Maybe I'm just not the best judge of normal

Its name is Doghead because I described it as "about the size of a dogs head". Just a feral olive I dug up (near critical infrastructure )

I didn't like part of it so I cut "A 1/4 of Doghead" free. I then gave it away to someone as an introduction to bonsai... and its still alive (last time I heard).

I hope to carve up the front of remaining Doghead to get a "quick" root over rock. I have shortened the main trunk already and it seem to be growing ok , with new shoots. I'm just waiting for better weather and better carving techniques (my techniques that is).

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might do an update tomorrow.

What is normal anyway

[bodhidharma]

Bodhi - I don't think there are many crazies out there! Well, there is you, and me, and maybe Matt - and probably everyone else is "normal".
What do you think?

Probably true Watto but i am now used to my "crazy" and kinda enjoy it.

[time8theuniverse]

abPET.jpg

I had a bit of a go with the die grinder to see where is was going to head with this. I'll wait for some more inspiration for some hand carving next.

[Josh]

Ok, so decided to join the crazy club Went on a dig on the weekend. I found what I think is an ash growing ona rock on the side of a creek. It had a really gnarly twisted root system which hung down over the rock into the creek. There were quite a few roots heading off in different directions so I figured it wouldn't miss a couple that were hanging down the rock. Have no idea if they will reshoot or not but thought of this thread and figured I'd have a go. Here is the result.

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I have another root as well and will post photos when it's day light enough to take them (finished potting at 9pm tonight) The other may end up root over rock yet.
So does this qualify me to join the crazy club

Josh