Apr 4 2011

Back to Front

I snapped a few pics of these two yesterday. First is a field grown Silver Birch. I popped it into this pot last month. It was lifted from the ground 2 years ago and has only been clip and grow to this stage. I’m reluctant to wire too much as they drop branches for fun after wiring. I plan to build up some ramification this year and then work on the deadwood cuts in the Autumn.

Here’s the front and back, you decide which is which 🙂

This little Yew was also field grown. Out of 15 growing in open ground, this one decided that fattening up wasn’t for him. It remained quite small and I have decided to keep it as a shohin. I styled it last year and I’m hoping for plenty of growth this year to start filling out the image. Again, front and back below.

Apr 3 2011

Zelkova Stump

I took a cutting of a Zelkova about 12 years ago and after a year or two I planted it in open ground for about 8 years. At one point it reached 25′ tall!!

It was dug out of the ground last Spring and chopped down to a lower branch. I gave it free growth for the last year. I did clip a few bits back as it was taking over it’s corner!

Today I decided that I needed to reduce the stump by carving. I wasn’t planning on any detailed work, or even completing any crude block carving. I just wanted to take back the cambium layer to where it needs to be in the future. This will stop the tree producing numerous new shoots where they aren’t needed. This is it before I started.

This cut off is the area for some attention. You can see all the unwanted shoots below my hand.

I removed the unwanted branches and shortened some of the top growth. A quick outline with chalk as a guide.

Makita and samurai bit.

Afterwards I’m left with what’s needed for further refinement.

Apr 3 2011

In Full Flower

My Rhododendron Blue Diamond is just about at full flower. I removed about 1/2 the buds a few weeks back but it quite amazing just how many there is on on plant.

Signs of the new foliage following flowering is already evident.

Apr 3 2011

Last Instalment until June

This is a link to the last Bonsai School instalment until the June School.

Bonsai School Part 7

There is an interesting chat in there about why you need to repot those Chinese Elms recently imported.

Apr 2 2011

Beachcomber Finds

On the beach yesterday I lifted a few bits and pieces that will look nice when displaying bonsai.

This shingle stone has the most beautiful lichen growing on it. The stone is actually red under all this.

Close up of Lichen, looks like an ancient map of the world.

These bits of dead ivy wood are lovely too.

Apr 2 2011

Bonsai School Parts 5&6

I’ve spent a little time over the last few days putting together these two videos from the NIBS/Willowbog bonsai school. Follow the link to watch Peter in full flow. You even get a view of me for a few minutes but don’t let that put you off 😛

NIBS Bonsai School Part 5

NIBS Bonsai School Part 6

Apr 1 2011

Hostas

These two hostas are starting to show for me. Both potted last year. I checked all the freebee ones Stephen gave me and they are all starting to emerge too. Time for more slug pellets I think!!

This little sea thrift is also coming to life. It even has a little flower emerging. Just plucked this out of a rock at the coast last Summer.

 

Apr 1 2011

Stephen and Ian’s big Adventure

Well, not big, a few hours out driving around speculating where there might be trees to collect. I wanted to get a few snaps of some trees in a field near where I live before they came into leaf. This is them.

No trees but nice all the same.

I took Stephen to see some Blackthorn that were amazing but totally un-collectable. Deep deep rooted into stone. To even attempt to lift these would be a waste of time and a sin for ruining a beautiful tree. Some things are better left alone. It was blowing a gale at the time but Stephen was still amazed at the quality of these wee fellas. The bark was to die for. We collected a few dead branches to use as accents. The movement and character in them is amazing.

WINDSWEPT STYLE LOL

Bursting into flower

We then came across these Ivy’s among the rocks. Not deep rooted 🙂

The place was covered with them!

Removal of a few stones resulted in a few keepsakes. This is Stephen doing his impression of Father Jack. DRINK!! 🙂

Back at the bat cave…

This one held onto a rock

I’m hoping for these to put out some decent root and then I’ll air layer a few small bits off here and there. I have a wee Ivy air-layer and they take easily. We picked up a few nice stones for display as well. I’ll post more pics tomorrow.

Mar 31 2011

1,169!!

I started putting videos on you tube back in November for a bit of a laugh and in the hope of promoting the club. I just cast my eye over the stats on some of the videos and am amazed that this one has been viewed 1,169 times in nearly 5 months 🙂

Here’s the tree this week by way of update.

Mar 31 2011

Recovering from dog attack!

Last September my dog Smudge took a fancy to the apples on this Malus. He waited for them to ripen first of course 🙂

Here it is before he munched them.

and after…

and the guilty looking culprit.

This is the tree today. A few of the more mauled branches didn’t have any tip buds to open. I have been watching it for signs of new buds and today I founds loads. It looks as if it will back bud strongly, perhaps Smudge did me a favour 🙂

The back budding. Looks like a little pair of but cheeks at the bottom 🙂

and some of the flower buds. I was going to remove them but to be honest the tree is responding that strongly, I don’t think I’ll bother for now. I might remove the fruit if that changes.