AusBonsai

Hi all,

Any idea what this is? Grant

Hi Grant...

Apologies ,I missed this thread, as I do not frequent often to the site.

Im sad to see this tree in such neglect...Ive been hearing many rumblings filter back to me of the sorry state of the collection for past few months, and not to think about it or blocking it off..is becoming harder and harder..

Since I departed from The Chinese Gardens in June 2010 as caretaker of the Penjing & Gardens ...A large percentage of the Penjing have died due to neglect and mis-care...all in the last 12 months...!!

Very sad for me to witness after nearly 2 decades of development, this is now the reality... needles to say, im not Impressed.

Whomever has been 'caring' for the collection in the last 15 months needs to do some serious

OK,

This tree (rather should I say, what remains of it )is,

retia rigida - Lilac

I will add some photos of the Tree from 2009, as well as another From The Lingnan Penjing Academy of Australia and the collection prior June 2010....

It has a small lilac clusterflower in Alt white and purple. As well as Red non edible Berries. It does not like the cold so much also being a native of Africa so if you cannot maintian the Temp, leaf fall will eventuate and become semi decideus. As long as the warm temp remains consistent , it defoliates well. I worked 1st on one of these back in the day in Hong Kong in the early 90's and a natural choice for Penjing subjects in the South.

Hope this clears the smoke on this subject,

Take care Grant and to all fellow artists,

Warmest Regards

Philippe Tot

Thanks for that Phillipe.

I hope the penjing collection gets the care it deserves in the future.

Grant

Since I departed from The Chinese Gardens in June 2010 as caretaker of the Penjing & Gardens ...A large percentage of the Penjing have died due to neglect and mis-care...all in the last 12 months...!!

Very sad for me to witness after nearly 2 decades of development, this is now the reality... needles to say, im not Impressed.

That is ........ I just can't think of the words to describe how unacceptable this is. Disgraceful that the powers that be could let this happen.
Sounds like this needs some immediate attention

Terrible that such a nice collection could go to ruin. The display should be disbanded and the tree go to good homes.
Maybe after revival they could be displayed at the new arboretum in a penjing section?
One of the Sydney clubs should speak to the powers that be and find an arrangement asap.

May be they should be transfered to Canberra, where they can the attention they deserve Just a thought.

Well, the EOI Process is still under due process.... I hope they get it right to save what is left of the original collection.

What is seriously mis guided is the training teachiniques soil structures, intents on Penjing are not the same as those found in Bonsai.

So a big mistake they did was suddenly treat them the same after June 2010.

To a Bonsai stylist , upon seeing the type of soil that is used in Shunde Lingnan Penjing is like stone... Very hard.

Hence, They were all re potted thinking they were root bound by Bonsai Practionaers, when infact would not have required re work in the soils for at least another 4 to 5 years, possibly more. Replacing the soil structures with Bonsai mixes was done after I left in 2010.

This would have started a major decline for them. As flux levels would ahve dropped dramatically . Tradtional Lingnan Penjing works in pro- biotoic Flux timing and all based on Energy. Soils become a apart of the tree and the tree apart of the soils.

Not Soil and Tree.

This was a huge 'No No' to suddendly root work them when they did. They have never had this done to them ...This as well as other things.

Penjng is Penjing Bonsai is Bonsai. And politics is politics. I hope they get it right soon....


'I shall speak no more to those who choose blindness to hear,
Maybe now, they will choose hearing to not be so blind'

Philippe Tot

I contacted the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority about this concern and felt I should relay what has been explained to me. Personally I prefer to be very strait forward and unlike others involved do not need to be so politically diplomatic so I will be as forthcoming as possible here. Diplomatically I will not use names as some is personal opinion and I am not a complete idiot when it comes to diplomacy.

It did not start off too well with my first contact telling me everything was fine you have been given wrong information put your concerns in writing and hung up on me several times.

Next step up the ladder was a little more diplomatic but in the end I got the same result

It seems there are some tentative issues with all involved and they would get their back up very quickly.

Next step up the ladder I found some one that obviously understands his job and I was put onto a chap that was hesitant of my intentions but after spending some considerable amount of time talking with me I think I have as fair an understanding as I could from outside the circle.

It was explained to me that yes after Philippe left there has been a period of decline with the trees. It is thought that they where unprepared in experience for days when they need extra care in the heat last Summer but it is probably more complicated than that as it always is.
It was after this that advice was given to repot some trees which I tend to agree with Phillipe it may not have been great advice.

Phillipe will be glad to hear that although several trees have been removed from display I am assured that none have died. The first Guy tried to tell me they where moved as a normal process of rotating the display and I found this denial attitude very concerning. The truth is they are receiving special care at a Bonsai nursery (not the same one that gave advice to replace soil) to regain vigor and are expected to do so.

I also tend to agree with Phillipe that the penjing way of caring for trees is very specialised and different to Bonsai. The soil and care is a complete package that is not easily understood in relation to our free draining mixes promoted these days.
Yet it would be hard to argue that the nursery and other advice they have now contracted is anything but a move in the right direction.
Personally though I think it will be a pity if the traditional methods are lost in this process.
The EOI process is now closed to tenders but still needs to be finalised. I was told there was a limited reply to the tender
It seems that although they admit they did drop the ball on this issue which is unacceptable for all involved when caring for such a collection they are now taking what seems to be the most reasonable steps available to them at the moment to remedy the situation in the short and long term.


It must be very hard for Phillipe to have to sit on the sidelines due to work place politics and watch all this unfold. It does seem to me that Phillipe's experience in caring for this collection should have been given more wieght. What ever politics unfolded the trees care should have been higher on the agenda.

Lets hope it is lesson learned and all involved get it right from here

Final word on the name of the tree.

It is Ehretia rigida. It looks a nice plant for use in penjing or bonsai.

http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantefg/ehretiarig.htm

Grant

Ok Grant,

If your in Sydney sometime in the future you are welcome to come by to the Academy for an long over due catch up,

If you want more stuff on the "Ehretia rigida" (apologies for the typo in past thread).You can look up-close at more healthy Lilac Penjing here.

Bretts, many thanks for your kind words and support,

But mmmmmm,

Phillipe will be glad to hear that although several trees have been removed from display I am assured that none have died

Sorry to say...someone is not been completly honest with you there. Im sure you can all appreciateI know my tree's. As im sure you all know of yours, to every fine detail.

They have indeed lost a few