Again, 8 years in open ground and just one major chop. Aiming for a broom type image. Last year it got free growth and this is it now after a pruning back to the original shape.
Category My Bonsai
Field Grown #1 Cydonia oblonga?
A few of my field grown trees. Early days but they are starting to shape up. If I had it all to do again I would make a better job of the field grown material. Like most things in this hobby, once you have it sussed, it’s already too late 😀
First up an unknown species of tree, I have been calling it a Celtis for years but after a little help over on Wee Trees Bonsai Forum recently Alain K produced leaves from a tree in his garden that were identicial. It was a pear tree that had been grafted onto Cydonia oblonga, the common Quince . I have two of them and have had them both for sale for yonks, but no one wants a tree when they don’t know what it is! I am therefore going to make the best of this one and keep it for myself. (other one still for sale if anyone’s interested 
)
I has grown really strongly this year in the poly tunnel and I lifted it out to do some pruning.
As I started trimming I quickly noticed a lot of Caterpillars on the inner leaves where they couldn’t be seen. I have never done a full defoliation on this tree but decided to go ahead and do one now. A safe way of removing the pests and also allowing me to adjust the branch structure and do a little wiring. This is it after defoliation.
and after a little wiring. Aiming for a natural looking image.
Bench Reshuffle
I spent Friday morning with my son reshuffling my benches in my display area. I acquired a few extra railway sleepers and was going to do this in a few weeks time. However, my son has to make a promotional video for his Creative Media course at Tech and he’s making one for the club. He has to video me talking about the NIBS and I wanted to do it among my benches. One thing lead to another and well, see for yourself 🙂
Elm 2011 to 2013
This is a stump from a Cork Bark Elm after I layered the top off back in September 2011
And this was it earlier in the week.
After a little trim. Progressing nicely
Old Air Layer
This little Shohin Maple was a layering from two years ago. Still very early days but this is it’s strongest year so far and is developing nicely.
Tridents…..
After first trim. Both have grown strongly this Spring and some extension shoots and larger leaves have already required removal. Both have been in a greenhouse up until now but will shortly be placed out on the benches. I find keeping them under glass until the leaves are fully hardened is a safer bet. Over the last few years I have experimented a little with defoliation, partial defoliation and just extension pruning to see how Tridents react. This is part of bonsai, constantly looking to see how trees respond at different times of the year to different techniques, feeding regimes and weather. No two years are the same and it can be hard to reach any concrete conclusions. But if this was easy, we’d all be doing it 🙂
Malus in Flower
My Crab Apple has been in flower this week and the scent has been amazing too. I’ve been trying to capture a bee in a snap shot visiting the blooms but they either fly off or it’s been raining. Running out of time as the flowers will soon be over.
Elm Forest Update
The Elm forest from recent posts has be growing vigorously since it was moved to it’s new home on the slab. This is it sitting in the poly tunnel a few days ago. Going to need a trim soon, need helpers to lift it out though 😦
Hawthorn Update
After a severe repotting and removal of heavy roots, my Hawthorn has really pushed hard. This is it after a trim .
The Colour Purple
Well, the Beech is now open, you’ve got to love this colour of foliage. Again early days in development but should make a nice tree.
Bonsai Eejit 