AusBonsai

the newb is up for suggestions on what to do with my first successful bonsai, its still alive and still looks like a tree, im considering a full revamp and id like to know what the experts say? i dont like the knobs on top of the main trunk where its been cut by the previous owner, do i carve these out and keep the tree as is or should i cut the trunk down and start over and also plant the off cut? i think it looks good in bloom but i dont think im getting the right look with the lower branches

thanks mike

hi mate, i dont think the rock so close to the tree helps the comopsition, as for the tree it has the basics but i think you need to chase that foliage back to the trunk, good food and you will be on the way to a nice tree. maybe bring the height down some too. this has a very smooth trunk for a boug, what cultivar is it?

Jamie wrote:hi mate, i dont think the rock so close to the tree helps the comopsition, as for the tree it has the basics but i think you need to chase that foliage back to the trunk, good food and you will be on the way to a nice tree. maybe bring the height down some too. this has a very smooth trunk for a boug, what cultivar is it?

i brought it from a market so i dont know what type it is but it does have the purple bracts which attracted me to it. When you say chase the foliage you mean allow it to grow further in on the branches?

yes, you want foliage back closer to the trunk, it has a pom pom look, sorry if it is blunt. its not one of the desired looks to put it. i would be trying to get them in close and building ramification for some nice pads

Hi Mike
Love your choice of tree It's a bit hard to see the structure - is it possible for you to take some more photos against a neutral background ? It looks like it needs a feed - at this time of year it should be booming - but not sure how they do over your side of the island. They need to be sealed wherever they are cut or carved - otherwise they rot.


Tony

Bougy Fan wrote:Hi Mike
Love your choice of tree It's a bit hard to see the structure - is it possible for you to take some more photos against a neutral background ? It looks like it needs a feed - at this time of year it should be booming - but not sure how they do over your side of the island. They need to be sealed wherever they are cut or carved - otherwise they rot.


Tony

i been told the west is better heres a few pics taken now tony, it has been booming but i decided to defoliate it so i could look at the structure and trim and change it while it was still growing, just experimenting really with this tree

Yes the West is Better. Bougainvillea whether it is the West or the East has soft wood that will rot if not treated. I speak from experience that Is why I do not grow them anymore too much trouble. Who ever told you that was not being honest.

Like most markets stalls in the Perth Metro they stick them in a pot and the stick you with a hefty price for a stick in an over size cheap pot.

Now my rant is out of the way.
You need as Jamie has advised to cut back and get some growth happening in close to the trunk!!. Shorten the height to make it more in tune with the rest of the branches.
Then when that has happened and it start to re grow you might get some thing more like what you thought you had a Bonsai.

Cheers Pup

Hi Mike,

Looks like you've chosen a GREAT little boug to work on.
I'm sure when you follow these wonderful sugestions given here,
you'll end up with a fantastic little bonsai.
I've taken some of the advice on board for myself....Hope no one minds???
Looking forward to seeing your future results.

Regards, Beth.

Hi Beth that is what most of us are here for to help you in your Bonsai journey. These things that are said by me in any way. Are not meant to offend, but to get you going in the right direction.
Mike is that rock supporting the tree or can it stand up right on its own roots?. If it falls over then the roots are not developed enough for any real work to be done.

So if it appears I am coming on a bit strong, it is to stop you waisting years. We all want you to have nice tree's so we will try to help you achieve this.

That is all, Cheers Pup

My appologies Pup.

Regards Beth.

i would take out a few of the branches around the lower branch or you are going to end end with reverse taper where there is a big fat clump there.

dw new branches thicken up quick and it will heal up the cut wound quick

id reduce the hieght a bit and work on ramification as a new shoot grows just pinch out the center when it gets to a few leaves long this will help with more back budding

whats the apologies for beth

thanks everyone for the advice. dont mind ur comments and not afraid of the bad ones either, no point beating around the bush as we are here to learn when asking these questions

i think the rock was originally there to support it but it does stay up on its own and i have checked it and seems to have a good hold in the pot so id say it has a good root growth in the pot, the tree isnt actually leaning on the rock at the moment anyway but very close. ill trim the height as suggested and see how it goes from there.

dont know what to do with the lower branches tho, they seem a bit odd in placement, will work on that.

would this be a good idea in doing to remove the big knobs from the tree in this pic? advice? or should it be left?

thanks everyone
mike

is this your chosen front??????
or the side?

you can decide. u just need the lowest branch on the right of the trunk and the second higher on the left side or vice versa if any branches are not used in your design remove them ur bougie will grow a bunch of branches from the cut area


ps i dont think that would remove the knob i would just let it grow for now but take off any branches u dont need and start a new leader with on of the middle branches to get some taper.

thats the side, my front is the last pic of the four, thx IS2SXC sounds like a good plan