Having left Ricks house we followed him over to Paul’s home. On our way Rick stopped to show us one of his collecting sites for Bald Cypress. (I have it marked on the Satnav 🙂 Only joking Rick, they are safe from me, for now) This one is a typical shot of bonsai folk talking about the thickness of their trunks 🙂
and the site itself ..
We travelled onto Paul’s beautiful home and were ushered out the back to the pool area where Paul keeps his bonsai. This was a beautiful set up and Paul has done what I dream of having.. a compact collection of bonsai. They say that the wise ones do this 🙂
One of the first things I noticed was the variation in the types of bonsai that Paul had. Not just in variety but also in style as well. Ever the Ficus where of different varieties.
Again, the backdrop isn’t perfect to see these trees at their best and many of them can be viewed on Paul’s website www.orlandobonsai.com
This Crape Myrtle caught my eye. It had a powerful little trunk and a lovely small leaf. I was informed that the foliage was grafted on from a dwarf variety. The flowers are also beautiful. They reminded me of how the escallonia flowers on extension growth. You have to put up with this if you want colour.
One of Paul’s smaller Ficus.
Another Ficus and a Black Pine.
Some of these I just can’t remember what they are! I’m sure Paul with check and help me out. Being a talented photographer as well, I’m sure he has better photos as well.
Possibly Buttonwood??
Trident Maple
Another Big Trident recently defoliated.
A beautiful Bougie.
Spotted this fruit on one of them. Not sure what it’s called either! Should have taken notes!!
A big Literati Bald Cypress
There’s another one in the sixth photo down that has a sacrifice branch at the apex. Going to be a stunning tree. I just love their foliage.
Carmona
Whilst I was snapping away, the craic continued in a cooler spot. We were all amazed by just how many similarities we had with bonsai problems. One issue that did raise it’s head was the pronunciation of a few words. Aluminium or Aluminum wire was discussed and we had to point out that it was our language first so we had to be right 🙂
Stephen and the chaps.
Myself with Paul and Rick.
I would just like to publicly thank both Rick and Paul for taking the time on a very hot Sunday morning and afternoon to show us their collections. As I say to anyone on here, if you are in Northern Ireland, look me up and come visit. Rick, I’ll happily take you out for a real pint of Guinness 🙂
I have more photos from my holiday of inspirational trees in the wild and nature in general that I will be posting over the next week.
As there was only a green forest for a backdrop, Rick sent me a shot of it with a better backdrop. This tree has been exhibited in an Exhibition recently. I’m sure Rick will correct me if I get any names of facts wrong 🙂
He also had a great collection of Shohin Ficus. I normally avoid these, but seeing them in their proper climate and observing just how good they can be for bonsai was an eye opener. I used Stephen as a backdrop for a few photos.
This is one of his bigger Ficus.
and another. We had a good chat about options with this one.
He also had a few nice Bougies on the benches. This big one caught my eye. It’s well on it’s way to being a stunning tree.
and a smaller one also with a few pics supplied by Rick.
The flowers on this Crown of Thorns caught my eye and Stephens 🙂 We have both now added a little one to our collections 😉
One of the most eye catching yamadori in the garden was this Pond Cypress. Did I get it right Rick? It’s not Bald Cypress is it? Stephen used for scale, for goodness sake Stephen put those wee ones behind your back 😀
One of the best features of the tree is the knee at the base. This is a root that extends up usually in swampy areas and is thought to help the tree process oxygen. I have a nice photo of one to show in another post.
We had another discussion about the future front of this tree. The knee was always to be a visible feature to show off.
Rick only had the one Juniper in the garden and it was raw material belonging to the club. This was a surprise to me as throughout my stay in Orlando I saw many Chinese Juniper varieties being used as landscape plants and was rather envious.
Rick’s Chocolate Lab was also a welcome sight. I was missing my own dogs dreadfully 😦
It was a very hot day, even for locals. We moved inside to cool down and a great chat ensued with Rick and his wife Patty about Ireland, the black art of Gunniess brewing and drinking, genealogy and dogs 🙂
Video for it in use. 
It liking the conditions in the poly tunnel and the nice open mix of grit and cat litter. It’s even budding up at the top of the tallest trunk.
The other one wasn’t repotted and had been outside on a bench. For some reason this one got mildew and I had to defoliate. I thought being outside with good air circulation would have been a less likely spot to get mildew, but what do I know.
Bonsai Eejit 