bwaynef

Just to complete the thread, I had a great time. I was shown/taught wiring like I've never known. My technique/results suck when I wire. I was forced to wire a lot more than I ever have with some instruction as to why you do what you do. I probably won't be the best at explaining it but I understand a lot better.

There was a selection of about 10 JBP's (landscape trees that were purchased a few years ago and preliminary branch selection as well as some candling and needle plucking were done to increase the possibilities available). There were also a handful of Mikawa pines. Being of sound mind and finite pocketbook I had to opt for the first category, though the Mikawas were EXTREMELY tempting. I almost got a divorce.

To start things off we got a short synopsis of black pine and why they're ideally suited for bonsai culture. We were warned that some of the techniques used for JBP would kill other pines so don't use them on anything but JBP (though a question later about ABP revealed the same techniques could be used but not as severely.) A student chose one of the mikawas for Randy to style and he started talking us through the process. It was amazing to see how quickly he worked and to see the assuredness with which he clipped off well-developed branches. We all decided that our wives/girlfriends/fiances would deem the result Randy came to as a disaster for the poor tree. It was perfect. Branch placement was taken care of as well as the apex develop(ing/ed). The former ball of needles actually had a pine tree shape though it could use a little manicure (it was a first styling!!!).

He then explained what would be necessary for the care of the tree in the coming months and years. We took a tour of his garden to see a few trees he'd planted in the ground.

(At this point I need to take a little time to describe his garden to you. It was absolutely gorgeous. There were trees of all kinds around his garden. He had HUGE pines, a gorgeous redwood/sequoia with amazing carving-work, azaleas that looked like I'd just missed an impressive show, a crabapple I wanted to take home with me, very impressive tridents and trident forests, japanese maples, and junipers in all shapes and sizes. The trees were reasonably priced too. My wife's comment as we walked thru the garden (she dropped me off) was that this was as nice a display and trees as what we saw in Oakland at the GSBF North collection. All his trees were displayed well on benches also. His facilities were wonderful, and happenstancically the weather was perfect.)

We went to see a few mikawas he'd planted in the ground. I saw one with a 3 foot long candle!! He showed us what he'd been explaining as to JBP growth habits. He showed how much growth they'd put on in 2 years. He talked a little more about what would need to be done if we wanted more growth (and about in-ground growing to thicken JBP.) Then we took a few-minute break to handle what nature beckoned for us and to look around his garden.

Now came OUR turn. Randy's method for who gets to choose stock first is based on the order reservations for the class are made; an apparent incentive to register early. I was 4th, and the 1st guy chose the tree I'd been eyeballing. The 2nd and 3rd guys either had more money or had their wives in better control than I. They went for the Mikawas and chose some nice stock. I was next to choose one of the landscape JBPs. There were 2 with low branching (one the 1st guy had chosen). I'd been eyeballing the selection and had placed an order on the trees I wanted. My #2 tree had a huge selection of branching as well as what appeared to be a usable, if a little leggy, first branch. I thought I should look the entire selection over before I rushed to get the #2 tree. Luckily I did that. My #3 or #4 was tall. Branching was up high on the trunk but seemed almost ideally placed. There was enough to build an apex from and I was presented with 2 fronts (from which the branching looked ideal.) I saw a tall, feminine informal upright, with a possibility for an elegant bunjin later. I skipped over the low-branched #2 tree and went with this tall one.

The other guys (5 of us if I didn't mention that) proceeded to needle pluck and snip away. I grabbed a soda (gratis though donations are gladly accepted) and a chair and just ogled my tree. I was surprised more of them didn't, but their trees were a little bushier so they had to do a little work to see what they were dealing with. My tree was pretty open. The landscape JBPs had been worked so that there wasn't as much needle plucking and thinning of branches as the Mikawas needed.

Randy came by while I was looking and thinking and we set to choose the front. He chose what was MY choice for the rear. It had a scar that was healing nicely, but excellent branch placement (#1, #2, and back). I asked why he'd chosen it and he explained the branch placement. I agreed they were nice, but asked why HIS rear wouldn't make a nice front. Then moved a branch into place to show him that it'd be used as a back branch and he agreed with me that THAT was the better front. Luckily I'd passed the first test (even if it was I who was testing.) I'd selected the best front for the tree.

He got me started by wiring the first pad of foliage showing me how to wire and how to shape the pad with the wire. He also moved pretty quickly thru the tree with the wire. (I really need to work on this. I have a few trees that can use a bit of wire so I'll be getting some wire and really trying to improve my technique.) When he was done we discussed the placement of the #2 branch and the resulting pad. I was tasked with wiring that one.

My results weren't as good as his, but no wires crossed and the wire held the tree in the shape of a pad. He helped me tweak the placement just a little and explained to me why my wiring wasn't great. I was tasked with wiring another pad and went to work on that.

I finally chose the apex and he helped me decide that a few of the branchlets needed to be removed around the apex. Then he told me to wire it into place. I took it a little too far and I heard/felt the apex branch crack just a little. I was later assured that (since I'd stopped monkeying with it and it wasn't too severe a crack) that it'd heal up on its own. I sure hope so, BUT I have 1 or 2 "justin" branches for a replacement apex if necessary.

Finally I'd never used guy wires and Randy was kind enough to supply me with some plastic tubing to cover the wires as we pulled the branches downward.

I really learned a whole lot. I was thoroughly pleased with the end result. Randy was an excellent teacher and I'm planning to sign up for a few more classes already. He went from student to student helping them make decisions or giving advice. He was quick to remember where I was with the tree when he came back and didn't seem to be distracted when he was asked questions in the middle of working. I'm not sure if he told "all the guys this," but he did say while we were in the shop checking out that I'd chosen the best tree. I certainly thought I'd done well. I could've been convinced to trade for one of the mikawas I'd seen, but I liked my end result the best.


And finally, sorry to disappoint everyone with my lack of a picture but I haven't taken one yet. I'll try to get to that soon though. I'll be leaving this tree alone except for water and NPK for the rest of the year probably. (Ok, I'll probably do the summer tune-up on it in the next 2-3 weeks then THATS it.)

It was a great experience. I recommend the Bonsai Learning Center and Randy Clark. I also recommend formal instruction. I learned more there than any other one source.

Wayne F.

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