AusBonsai

Celtis chinensis or Chinese Hackberry

Dug this up from a friend's front yard a couple of months ago, It's around 600mm high.

One of the best trees for bonsai I reckon.

One of the best trees for bonsai I reckon.

Hope so, thanks Paulneill. I've never tried one of these before.

I trunk chopped this back in early June, and have chopped it again today... (it has been raining all weekend!)
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with this tree... but I'm hoping that it'll grow into something worthwhile...

I love a good trunk chop
Let it grow on a bit and decide from there, no need for a definitive direction just yet!

I'll leave it for awhile now, for sure. I'm sure it'll be pleased that I do...

Ryceman3 wrote:I love a good trunk chop
Let it grow on a bit and decide from there, no need for a definitive direction just yet!

Careful the rules preclude giving ideas to the contestant.

Pup wrote:

Ryceman3 wrote:I love a good trunk chop
Let it grow on a bit and decide from there, no need for a definitive direction just yet!

Careful the rules preclude giving ideas to the contestant.

100% correct Pup, my apologies. It was just a natural response without thinking about the competition itself, but you are right and I'll be more mindful - thanks for the reminder.

Ryceman3 wrote:

Pup wrote:

Ryceman3 wrote:I love a good trunk chop
Let it grow on a bit and decide from there, no need for a definitive direction just yet!

Careful the rules preclude giving ideas to the contestant.

100% correct Pup, my apologies. It was just a natural response without thinking about the competition itself, but you are right and I'll be more mindful - thanks for the reminder.

I disagree, the rules say you can talk about it as much as you want, just don't draw virts.

Steven wrote:Discussion, advice and comments in the entry threads is encouraged, but please "No Virtuals".

And one contestant giving another contestant advice is hardly something to worry about. It's about the fun of the competition... and bragging rights

LOL! Never mind Pup, I don't think my stick in a pot is a threat!

I think...it's not about how great your starter material is but it's what you can do with it. The difference you could make is what counts in this comp right? If the starter material is not obvious then it could be considered to be a challenge for the bonsai artist. However, great artists do like to take great challenges right?
Cheers.

I think...it's not about how great your starter material is but it's what you can do with it. The difference you could make is what counts in this comp right? If the starter material is not obvious then it could be considered to be a challenge for the bonsai artist. However, great artists do like to take great challenges right?
Cheers.

It's definitely a challenge, kvan64, and that's why I'm looking forward to participating, and learning.

There's been some growth through spring, but lately I noticed there's been some damage to the leaves from caterpillars (I think,) and there's yellowing of the leaves with the veins showing greener.

I chopped it back, and removed a few double ups to help stop reverse taper...

Not a lot of change in this over the past couple of months, other than I had a problem with the leaves yellowing, so I did a lot of leaf clipping, added chook poo, and let it run again. Considering I've got a few of these in the same situation, same mix and same fertiliser, I'm not sure why this one has failed to go crazy like the others. Maybe I just need to leave it alone for awhile...lol