Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 4:25 pm

I had a deodora cedar that I was growing in the slanting style, but I was never really happy with it.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 4:30 pm

In June 2010 I took this tree for a ride to Sydney for the "Bonsai By The Harbour" event and the tree was critiqued by Noel Sommerill and Leigh Taffe as part of the day. They came up with a few suggestions and ideas that would improve the bonsai.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 4:51 pm

I really like one of the design options, but by the time I got around to working on the tree in March 2011, the tree had leaned (is that a real word?) over to the extent that it was nearly falling out of the pot.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 4:55 pm

It needed a wedge under the pot to give it some stability.
I should say that Noel and Leigh were very helpful and supportive in this exercise and I thank them a lot.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 5:00 pm

A week or so later I went to take a photo of the tree with it's new look, and found that a frog had made its home under the pot.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 5:09 pm

A little bit of foligae thinning, wiring and branch placement today and this tree is ready for the a rest over the coming winter months. It is my experience with this species that it needs a steady as you go approach, so after as I did the initial amount of reduction to the foliage I was not prepared to disturb the roots too much and that is the reason for the "unusual" potting arrangement which was needed to enable the tree to "stand up" and bit more.
It is my intention to repot in mid spring this year, but until then, this arrangement will need to suffice.

Damian Bee · Post by **Damian Bee** » March 27th, 2011, 5:36 pm

Hey Watto,

That looks like a Littoria ewingi, a very resilient little frog.

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 27th, 2011, 7:10 pm

Thanks for the info Damian, I don't know anything about frogs - except that I like them around. About six years ago I "built" a frog pond in the backyard to encourage them into our environment.
Here is a photo of the one that lives in the same bonsai house, but under a different bonsai. Maybe they will get together and ..........

Handy Mick · Post by **Handy Mick** » March 27th, 2011, 8:21 pm

Watto, your tree looks good, I did however shed a tear for the lost folage as it looked good before.
I found a frog in my apple tree today also, its mate is under my elm, there so cute. It's amazing how they camofage themselves in so well.

Mick

Bretts · Post by **Bretts** » March 27th, 2011, 10:24 pm

Frogs are going mad around here at the moment. Can hear at least one croaking now.
Had some tadpoles for the kids and released them when they turned into frogs. Is very cool to see them around the yard slowly getting bigger.
Found this one on my umbrella tree the other day

um2.jpg

Sorry Watto not sure I am keen where you are going

Watto · Post by **Watto** » March 28th, 2011, 7:42 pm

Have faith Bretts. A bit more wire on the branches, some saw work (to reduce the angle of the new apex) and a bit of guy wire, some jin/shari work, a new pot and hey presto - beautiful. Well that's the plan anyway. In a couple of years it will look beautiful and dramitic - Leigh and Noel said!!!

Leigh Taafe · Post by **Leigh Taafe** » March 28th, 2011, 7:59 pm

Hi Greg,

Nice start mate! Keep an eye on the tree's movement in early spring. Be sure to get onto the root pruning before the new buds develop into foliage. If left too late in spring - it will suffer terribly. Given a few seasons of good growth and training, this tree will be 10 times better than the one you started with.

Handy Mick · Post by **Handy Mick** » March 28th, 2011, 8:06 pm

For you mate.

Leigh Taafe · Post by **Leigh Taafe** » March 28th, 2011, 9:23 pm

You seem a bit sceptical Mick.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » March 28th, 2011, 11:20 pm

I'd have to say i'm with Bretts and Mick on this one, but very keen to see the progression Watto. Keep us posted

Regards Craig

AusBonsai

Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)

Re: Cedar Makeover (plus frog)