Oct 24 2012

Rhododendron Alterations

Another tree that Peter Warren looked at on his recent visit was this Rhododendron.

This was it a few weeks before his visit.

Peter suggested opening it our a little along the main long branch and a few other suggestion about future growth and pot. A few pot virtuals over the Winter months perhaps.

Heavy wire used to add a slight separation in the pad. Like Azaleas always use a heavier wire than normal to alter branches on this species. Some other areas were reduced. This was the first time that the tree has even had wire applied!

This was it in 2002

A few dodgy years were major TLC was needed to keep this one alive.

Oct 23 2012

Tullymore

Just had to share this photograph with you. It was taken in Tullymore Forest Park in County Down N. Ireland by Hugh Wilkinson, one of our club members. He’s been playing around with his new camera and I was blown away when I seen this. It’s now my desktop image!!

Click photo for bigger image

Oct 22 2012

Shohin Black Pine

I’ve shown this one before but I asked Peter Warren for his view on it and we changed the angle a touch and removed two branches. Oh, and we made the back the front 🙂

This was it before wiring. The first one was my chosen front. The main reason for this choice was to hide the chop mark.

This was the back that I had discounted. You can see the chop that I was avoiding.

This was my styling.

Peter said that many people, obviously me included, can get hung up on one particular fault. The chop is hard to see and he didn’t see it as a big problem. He pointed out that the major bend in the trunk was easier on the eye from the chop side. With a slight change of angle and a few minor branches removed….

He had a few minor concerns over the slight yellow tinge. This years rainfall has seen many of the micro nutrients being leeched from the soil. He suggested a feed with seaweed extract and better control of the watering by placing it in the greenhouse for the Winter.

Oct 21 2012

Photo’s From Cavehill, Belfast

Some photos from my walk this morning up Cavehill over looking Belfast and Belfast Lough. A bit misty at the top and some mist floating around the docks giving it a spooky look just in time for Halloween approaching.

Three photos in one using photomerge. Click it for a bigger image on FlickR.

Belfast docks

Holywood, County Down peeking out of the morning mist

Had to laugh at this 🙂 Bonsai Baker down on his knees to get a decent shot, then …

Enter Smudge stage left who whipped him round the face with a wet tail on the way past 🙂 …

and the look of, ‘WTF’ on Stephen’s face 😀

Inspiration in an old Scottie

Why they call it cavehill

These two cavemen heading home! Spoke to them briefly on the way up. Both obviously high as kites from last night and have gone for a wander up the hill. They tried to pet my dogs who managed to give them a wide berth! [Yes Stephen, I’m taking credit for the cavemen joke 🙂 ]

Haws catching the sun.

Hooded Crows catching the thermals

McArts Fort with a misty top.

Spooky!!

About the only splash of colour

Maggie splashing in the puddles at the top

Looking over the flat top, I’m a shadow of my former self 😉

I said to Stephen, ‘Look a Chestnut Horse’. He said, ‘You mean a Horse Chestnut?’ Nope 🙂

Finishing on the down slope.

Oct 20 2012

Shades of Red

Some Maple Reds on my bonsai.

Oct 19 2012

Capel Manor Exhibition Photos

Dan from the Enfield Bonsai Group kindly sent me some photos showing the trees exhibited at Capel Manor this weekend past. I had previously blogged the poster here to help get the word out. Happy to do this for any club event pretty much anywhere in the world as I seem to have viewers from everywhere! All photos also gratefully received.

Oct 17 2012

Peter Warren Day 4

Well, there wasn’t really a day 4, it was the day Peter flew home, but we did manage to pop down to Stephen’s House [bonsai Baker] for a look around.

Check out the colour on his Arakawa Maple. The colour had even deepened from the Friday night meeting.

Oct 16 2012

Sunday’s Workshop in Photos

Sunday was a smaller affair with the workshop limited to four of which I was one. Here are the photos. I haven’t added my trees here as I plan to post these with a little more information. As time permits I’ll be putting some video together showing Peter’s thoughts on trees from the weekend. In the mean time, you’ll have to make do with this.

Oct 15 2012

Saturday’s Workshop In Photos

Only getting around to uploading the weekends Photos.

This Gallery is from the Saturday workshop with Peter Warren and shows the action as well as many of the trees before during and after. Participants were a mixture of beginners and hardcore members with a variety of trees both raw and established. If I had time I’d add some text explaining what’s going on but to be honest I’m absolutely shattered!!

I think we can safety say that the weekend was a success and Peter is most definitely worth having along for a workshop.

Oct 13 2012

PW Day One

Peter Warren first day In Photos….

A visits to Phil’s bonsai, or are they Frankies?! 🙂

And then some snaps of the meeting. 30+ members turned up for what was a great night. Some great shots of Peter break dancing. 😆 Roll on the Workshops.