AusBonsai

I have read 2 interesting posts in recent days.

"Ausbonsai what to expect" (Pup)
"Who is growing radiata" (Jow)

Pup, I hope you will be pleased to hear that I have recieved inspiration.
Jow, my experience is similar to yours with new growth confined mostly to the tips of branches on my radiatas.
I could not give any experience as feedback but your thread convinced me that it was time to perform maintenance in order to promote budding.

Here are some pictures of pinus radiata dug at Easter 2010. (approx 12 months)

woah!

I really like #3, thats great material.

Something that walter pall would dig up from a mountain somewhere.

Huge potential.

#5

Very nice trees:-)
Was number 2 already chopped? Lots of really low branches and shoots on that one

@parablola, Why do you think #5 so nice? interested to to see what you think can be done with this?

Ken

Thanks Kas,
#3 Was the first choice and the first one dug. It is most likely to be styled in a workshop with Hirotoshi Saito in July 2012.
At this stage I am trying to keep lots of branches, and keeping 2 buds wherever possible removing the rest.

Hi Parabola,
#5 Styling has been inspired by a post on this forum by Skippy. Where he split almost the entire length of the trunk, and twisted it into a very interesting bunjin. So far I have created a shari the full length of the trunk (except the first 40cm) and started a matching shari on the back. Once this is establihed I hope to split the trunk without causing too much stress.
The tree is currently taller than me. It was also potted immediately after collection which will mean less stress at styling time.

Hi Ken,
All these trees came from an old Christmas tree plantation, many had been chopped years earlier. #2 Was chopped about 30cm higher than the present chop it will need some serious carving to acheive taper. After digging the root ball was a perfect fit for the pot, still has poor soil but will fix that over the next 2 years. Possible Hiro workshop for this tree also.

I managed to find Skippy's post. Which is roughly the plan for tree #5

viewtopic.php?f=121&t=3517&start=0&hili ... a%2C+Split

Gerard wrote:I managed to find Skippy's post. Which is roughly the plan for tree #5

viewtopic.php?f=121&t=3517&start=0&hili ... a%2C+Split

thought that Might have been the idea, Be interesting to see how you go

I have a similar one, but has more low growth. will not try and Pretzel that one but leave as an upright straight pole with the top carved. I have seen a similar tree on Walters(I think) site that I am using for inspiration

Ken

Remember that the one Skippy did died; so be careful in the execution of what you are doing.

A Chinese Bonsai master was splitting Junipers and doing all sorts of bending but he would not do the same to a pine as he said they would die.

I do some splitting of trunks and general gouging out of Pines and so I am OK with it.

Good luck.

Grant

Thanks Grant,
Skippy's experience has taught me one thing........I need to be patient. My intention is to complete the full length of the shari on both sides and be confident sap flow is not interrupted and the tree is healthy before attempting the splitting process. Should be lots of fun when I get there.

A quick update on one which I potted yesterday morning After another 12 months recovery I plan to take this tree to a workshop with Hirotoshi Saito in July 2012

Great result Gerard. You are going to have to show me where you collect these trees from one day!!!

DavidN wrote:Great result Gerard. You are going to have to show me where you collect these trees from one day!!!

Sure David, but will need to be one day soon. I believe autumn is the best time to dig them as they have a chance to develop new roots before our harsh summer. And the plantation is shrinking the spot where this recently potted tree came from has been bulldozed. I suspect the entire area will be gone by next autumn.