May 18 2011

Strength 2 Strength

I checked this Japanese Maple today for black fly. None to be found but everyone else’s maples seem to have them. I had done a major repot on this tree back in the Winter. It was very weak last year and the branch structure was very poor due to a few bits dying back. As you can see it’s responded well.

I moved a few of the little accent pots I had sitting on the soil surface, right in at the corners and this is what I found.

It has responded that well to the repotting that it has produced new roots right out into each corner and was even trying to put roots into the accent pot! It is just loving that open mix of SC Pink and grit. Not fine stuff either as you can see.

May 18 2011

New Case Study

To save me having to look back for old posts about the Cork Bark Elm Forest, I have added a full story/time line to the case studies Tab. I’ll add to it every few months to show the development of this group.

Click on the photo to view the case study.

May 17 2011

Bonsaifocustv

Great to see Bonsai Focus now have their own You Tube Channel. Just watched the video of Ryan Neil styling a Pine. I had already read the article in the latest magazine last week, but the video added to the information in a way a photograph never will.

Here’s a link to the channel.

bonsaifocustv

May 16 2011

Another Elm Air Layer

While Stephen was here today we layered his Elm. The apex that looked contrived was going to be chopped off to improve the tree. But on closer inspection we thought it would make a nice twin trunk Shohin 🙂

The apex, obviously made by poor wiring many years ago.

This bit could make a nice twin trunk.

May 16 2011

Elm Forest Planting

As part of the current challenge on the Wee Trees Bonsai Forum I put together this group planting. Previous posts can be seen here.

Cork Bark Elm Forest

Elm Forest Update

As today was the final chance to update the photos for the challenge, I asked Stephen to come down to my place and give me a hand lifting the group out of the Poly Tunnel.

The growth in a month was great to see.

and as you can see, the weeds grew well too!

After a quick weeding session Stephen and I trimmed back the new growth. This part of the apex in the main tree has yet to fill out to hide the lack of taper and develope the new branch.

Stephen hard at work. As you can see, a lot of growth has been trimmed.

This is it after it’s second trim of the year.

and me added just for scale.

If you want to see the new 360 made for this group click this link Elm Forest 360

This is a quick virtual showing what it might be like on a slab.

May 14 2011

More Flowers today

My Cotoneaster has now fully opened.

May 14 2011

Old Joe Yew

This is Old Joe, a Golden variety of Yew that I dug from my Uncles garden after he died 4 years ago. It was tall, poker straight and not much to look at but it is my memory of my Uncle, so I’m trying the make the best of it.

I did the basic carving on it last year. This was an attempt to add interest to a very straight and boring tree. After some consideration I removed a tall jin at the top of the tree a short time later. It was just too tall and leaned back too far from the apex foliage.

Today I wanted to try out the new carving bits and decided to do the basic carving required at the chopped jin and maybe do a little refinement work on last years work.

This was it last year.

Today with a little more growth.

This is the chopped jin to be worked on.

Tools at the ready…

The chop after basic carving and a coat of Lime Sulphur.

A little more detail added lower down.

May 14 2011

Elm Recovered

I posted about this Elm last month and my attempt to assist it in recovering from a nasty Winter

Elm Recovery

This was the tree yesterday before I took it to the club meeting to hand back to the owner. I think I can safety say it on the right path.

I got rid of this one and got Jamie’s sick Larch in return 🙂

May 13 2011

Club Meeting

Just back from a hectic night of talking, cutting, pruning, and more talking, at the monthly NIBS meeting. Three new members on the night which was great to see.

May 13 2011

Mail Order

I ordered a few bits and pieces from Kaizen on Tuesday and they arrived today.

Mike Jones, Bonsai Passion recommended the bark cleaner.

I also fancied one of these spray pumps that you attach a coke bottle too. This will be handy around the garden.

I spotted this sharp knife for working deadwood and removing bark.

My mate Stephen needed a 1/4 inch collet for a Makita so i added this to the order along with 2 cutting bits. The Wood Weasel and a Mole. I also ordered a few spare cutting cups for my samurai and little Terrier.