AusBonsai

Species : Clerodendrum
Height : 700mm
Source : Cutting grown by me
Cost : Free

This tree has amazed me - it really shows the benefit of a sacrifice branch and growing in a gravel tray. I love these cleros as the bark looks great on them in a fairly young tree. You can see the roots that have grown out the bottom of pot into the tray in about 2 months.

Very pleased with this tree - I am discovering how well clero's grow and the way the bark develops on these trees. I have let the sacrifice branch grow and have had it in a gravel tray. Even better that it's a native

Well the sacrifice branch has done it's job and I cut it off. Looking forward to this one growing on a bit and going into a bonsai pot

This tree is going really well. I am really starting to love this species. Another sacrifice has grown and it is sitting on a large saucer of deco which has helped with it's growth. I am hoping to get it into a bonsai pot soon - hoping for a few more branches.

Well this continues to be my favourite entry. I recently put it into a bonsai pot and cut off the sacrifice branch. The branch has done it's job well and even thought he taper is lost towards the top of the tree I am very happy. I also love this pot - a Mudlark that I only really picked as it fitted the tree but I am really happy with. This will make a great tree in time once I grow the branches

This is the final submission
I am really happy with the trees progress but it is not finished by a long shot. I don't think this species is suitable for a comp of this length unless it had all the branching in place and just needed styling. I am aiming for it to entered into my club show in the first half of next year - as long as the branches develop in time. The left hand side of the tree needs branching - that will come in time. Down the track the roots will develop even further and it will be a great tree. I have put a lot of these trees into pots that are rooting through into the ground and with sacrifice branches. A very under utilised tree in Australian bonsai.

So this one lives - but I nearly killed it being over zealous with chemical fert. I have just let it recover and have it's head. Current size is 600mm.

So this tree has sprung back - I have been feeding and watering it madly and it is getting a bit more sun. I have trimmed it about a week ago and I am very pleased with it's progress. May have to look at the positioning of the branches - will see how it goes.

Hi Bougy , great job on the base . This tree is developing nicely .

Here we are again - that time of the comp. This tree had been stripped bare by pests but has made a great recovery. Again apologies for the photo.

Well I think this is my best entry - it has been hit hard by the beetles that look like lady birds but aren't - it has been stripped several times.
I really love the pot this in - thanks Penny

This has been stripped by the beetles that look like lady birds. I can see I need to remove the second highest branch on the left - it is too tight in there. I also want to bring the higher branches up to a greater angle to the trunk.

Very happy with this tree - it is finally talking to me or I have finally figured out how to listen Have been jumping on the bugs that seems to love this tree and keeping it a bit healthier.

So it's that time of the year again . . . . .
I guess the biggest thing I have learnt is that shohin need more attention that larger trees. I have been really busy with having a couple of weeks away and then the resulting increase in workload. All of my comp trees are showing this whereas the larger trees can cope with just watering and the occasional fertilising. My future plans for this tree are to repot soon and concentrate on the branching. I am finally happy with the structure of the trunk and it's height. I need to put this tree in a prominent position and take better care of it. This is probably my favourite of the REFINE category trees and I really love the Penny Davis pot.