Holly Bonsai #1
A more recent pic of the developing crown of the Holly - it's really popping right now, a great deal of new growth. Holly species are very 'sticky' - that is, they are hard to jin the branches, and develop motion; it's better to develop this movement and taper in Holly with cuts, and pinching early when it's still green. Looking to be a healthy tree, and fun next year to develop.
Holly Bonsai #1
A better view further back of Holly #1 - I'm liking the pot selection as well, a bit large however the roots are still recovering from a severe cutback from 'stock' form. As this tree's crown develops, it will 'fill' into this pot in 2-3 years nicely.
Ugh, not attractive but frugal is the name of the Bonsai game for now. This is the work table, and also holds my partial light bonsai (starters, and a few Rose of Sharon I'm trying out). Also provides shade to many clippings and starters underneath.
Informal juniper headed to bunjin style soon, this was a gift from my Father in Law, for my birthday in June. Straight from the Monk Monestary in Conyers, GA. Great material, my first 'real' bonsai attempt. Much work still needs to be done, the pads need more attention and time to fill. Will look to remove more branches, as I feel the tree wishes to be more 'bunjin' style - less growth, with even more movement shown. Much smaller pot in the future as I continue to reduce it's root system and develop a good Nabari worth revealing. A few of my 'sticks' around it and a tropical to it's left that i need to re-identify (nice in it's own right, healthy grower)
Beginners sticks bonsai, as they are called. last years 'addiction' shows it's results. These will be real bonsai in.. 10 or so years, maybe.. But they are close to my heart so will continue to have a small table to themselves, as my Bonsai collection truly grows. Many small privet, and many small sweetgums. Will continue to keep them small in the 'Mame' pots. They have been good teachers to me, in preperation for what's to come. :)
Starter table #2, a Trident Maple to the left, that has a knot from previous cutting in the bottom that I plan to 'wedge' open and hollow. Healthy tree, it's recently been de-leafed and repotted. Also from the Monk Monestary in Conyers, GA. A small privet, and a root over rock in development in the red pot in the back. Some sort of Japanese Rose in the far back, have to re-classify it soon as well, it actually has a interesting Nebari, but it's branches need vast reducing in size to improve it's form.
Cascade juniper #1, this began as a graden stock juniper 2 gallon plant. It turned into numerous cuttings for future plants, and a nice beginning Cascade Style of itself. The right branch will be allowed to extend down while the middle and left will end in large pads and 'hang' close to where they are now. The top is just now being wired, another picture below shows it's beginning.
Pre bonsai material, was in the 50% off pile so I got it for 2.47 with tax at my most favorite Nursery.. I've nursed it back to health, and am happy with it's natural Jin in the trunk. Will repot in spring and begin styling next year.
Cascade Juniper #1, is in a Korean Clay pot that was purchased while on a Vacation in Nags Head, NC. Our next trip there, I plan to buy many more for cascade, absolutely beautiful glaze, sized well for a good Cascade styled tree. Here you can see the very beginnings of the 'tree on top of a tree' (Naka) styling of it's top that I plan to create.
Pre bonsai stock, it's terrible from above, but down in and close, and you can see many privet, a few sweetgum, a couple of tulip poplar, and even a few juniper cuttings. I have other cuttings rooted in containers under my 'work' tables (not pictured here). The rather large plant on the left side is a great looking 2 trunk privet that next spring will have it's own pot and begin it's styling into a true bonsai. On the top right, a nicely thickened sweetgum, awaits more treatment after it roots. I plan to raise this area into a 10" raised wooden 'box', with tiles 12"-14" deep in the soil to prevent long taproots from developing, and to encourage radial Nabari growth. (along with toruniquet usage!)
Bonsai in process, will have to rethink how I take photos as I don't seem able to rotate them when posted from my phone (technology in use!). Here is a rather large (and thick) Privet in a nice pot. This tree is going to belong to my best friend Aaron however I am going to help style and give him some assistance where needed as it grows. We intend to shorten it greatly, I'm waiting for it to back bud to select the best spot to make the next 'big cut'. Privet are rather hearty plants, and even in mid summer as it is, can take a root and trunk hacking, and rebud days later with good soil and treatment. (speaking of soils), I'm using a 100% inogranic on this one, a 'Turface' type material I got from Napa. (I will have to go into soil details soon I can see!)
