Apr 26 2014

Yamadori Sitka Spruce

This Spruce was collected back in March 2012, full story here.

During the week I decided to give it a clear out of the dead branches and remove a few unnecessary ones. I have chased back the foliage a bit too to encourage some back budding.

After a lot of turning around and a little thought I opted to remove the branch on the right and do a little shari.

It will now be left alone until next year to allow it to recover and back bud. I see two options with it and a lot of raffia in it’s future 🙂

Apr 25 2014

Off to Munster Again

Today sees Phil and I head back to Cork for a workshop weekend with the Munster Bonsai Club. Looking forward to seeing the chaps again.

We are even stopping off on the way down to see Owen who’s starting up the Leinster Bonsai Club.

Apr 24 2014

Sumo Cotoneaster

It was time to do a little work on this garden cotoneaster. This was it back in May last year.

This is it before work this week.

I did a little carving to remove the chop marks and gave it a basic first styling.

It’ll now have a year to fill out and see what new shoots pop.

Apr 23 2014

Zelkova Group Planting

I was offered a few field grown Zelkova recently. I had passed comment to the owner that a few of the tougher trees could be used to create a group. As part of a little deal I got to dig up and create the group for myself.

These photos show Stephen and I collecting the trees from the ground, thinning out and planting up a group. One went to an individual pot as it was required for the forest.

In the grow bed

12 years in the ground

heave ho

and out

back at home

Thinning

washing out garden soil

making plans

Single tree

A few options but left tall for now.

getting there

some alterations to be made but done for now.

Apr 22 2014

Full Tilt Rhododendron

Here the Blue Diamond Rhododendron in full glory taken over the last few days.

Apr 21 2014

Another Elm Air layer

I had 3 broom shohin Elms which was 2 too many. I sold one a few weeks ago which got me down to two. I looked at the other two and decided that this one with inverse taper needed to change to make it worth keeping. I opted to air layer it to make a clump style image. This is it before and after the layer.

Apr 20 2014

Facelift

I’ve had this Elm group for a while on my For Sale list but I think the cracked red Cat litter tray was putting a few interested folk off. I decided to transfer it over onto a slate to make a better image.

Apr 17 2014

First Swallow 2014

I compete with my Dad every year to see who can spot the first Swallow of Summer. Yesterday I was visiting him at the farm where I grew up and guess what flew over head? I saw it first though 😀 A nice moment to share.