AusBonsai

Hi Folks

I would appreciate your advice on another large camellia. This tree was ripped out of the ground of a neighbourhood garden and run over. The original tree was over 2m tall and 1.4m in diameter. It has a 150mm diameter trunk at the base.

I have removed the damaged branches and shortened it to under 1.5m. I have decided at present on the front as in the attached photo. The lower left branch is ~0.5m above the ground. I intend to remove the lower branch on the right and alternate other branches on the right. Also the right side needs shortening back.

To conform to bonsai rules that the lower one third is branchless would mean the tree would need to be 1.5m tall. If you work on the height to truck diameter ratio of 6:1, the height would need to be 0.9m. However I prefer a more elegant, feminine look of 10:1 which would mean a height of 1.5m.

There is not a lot of root and so I want to leave some greenery to help rebuild the roots.

The trunk up to the first branch is straight but there is movement above this. My thoughts were to lay the truck back a little and this give a nice line through the top trunk which will still lay forward. If I shorten the height back much it will emphasize the straightness of the lower trunk.

I realise that the main branches are vertical but can be corrected when I eventually get side growth on them and can shorten.

I would appreciate some guidance as to where to shorten to, branches to remove and styling, if you deem it necessary .

Fred

To be honest mate, i'm not seeing bonsai at that height, I can see a nice camellia bush though.

If it were my tree, which it is not, so take my opinion as you will, I would replant it in the ground. Remove all those thicker branches leaving only the thinner ones, let it recoup for 6months. Then apply an air layer just below where that little branch is on the right.... That I believe would give you a promising plant to work with. Good height, there will be taper and nice proportional branches.

Good luck, keep us updated.

As the leaves on Camelias do not reduce verry much and the flowers are large, a Larger tree wqould be the only real way to use this one

After potting up or put in the ground to recover, I woudl alt least cut back the main trunk you have to the large straight branch you have coming forward and use that as the new apex. After recovery,I would then cut back the straight "Leader much shorter and regrow the top.

Then you can regrow new branching where you need them and develop your Large Bonsai

Gunna be a few years yet before get anything to work with tho

Enjoy

ken

kcpoole wrote:As the leaves on Camelias do not reduce verry much and the flowers are large, a Larger tree wqould be the only real way
ken

Don't shatter my dreams Ken!! I've got a lovely rare quad flowering cam out the back which I am air-layering a chunk off, also been taking lots of large cuttings.

*Mitchell runs to the corner and starts mumbling to himself* "It will bonsai, it will bonsai, it will bonsai"

Hi Fred, Ken is right if you want to make a bonsai out of this plant you need to cut it low. I would cut it below the point where all the branching starts. If it survives then it will bud back all the way down the trunk. I have seen some nice japonica camellia bonsai before so you could get a good tree if you are prepared to cut it hard now and then regrow.
Craig

Hi Folks

Thanks for your replies. I have taken on board your suggestions.

Fred

Are you sure this thing is going to shoot? Not much root there!
I wouldn't get my hopes up yet, cut it hard, plant in the ground, have another look in a year.
Sorry for the harsh comment though.

Why not plant it in the garden after trimming back some of the straight ugly branches, grow it as a ground tree but style it as an inground bonsai. Your back will appreciate never having to lift it in a pot and you could take advantage of its size without losing any bench space.

Hi MelaQuin

What an interesting idea. I will give it some thought. I know what you mean about lifting heavy pots. My other large Camellia is just within my range. If it were any heavy I would not be able to move it.

Fred