thejimmyrigger

I have to agree that the hokaido are just too small, the more i've looked at seiju it has also begun to be a bit too mini for me. A young shoot looks more fernish than branch. But, on the other hand I wouldn't mind having an hokaido as a novelty over a true bonsai. I also wouldn't mind using it in a small landscape display.

Though, reducing leaf size helps to match the tight internode space (on larger specimens). A full sized leaf on a tree with 1/3 sized internodes would get cramped looking, and the full sized petiole-assuming the species has big ones- would really throw off the illusion. I think the laeves would sit way too far away from the branches- especially secondary and tertiary branches. Ultra fine twiggy growth might end up as big as the petiole itsef. On a mame, where a leaf can represent a 1/3 of the canopy, I suppose it would really depend on the tree and species itself. Then that full sized petiole could add 30 "feet" to the tree's appearance.

Then like you said Carl, say your working with a big leaved native, you'ld have to fight the leaf/internode size down as much as physically possible. Coarse growth is often really fast growth so that maple could really capitalize on sacrifice branches.


jim

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Jimmyrigging is much like jerryrigging, just go a bit lighter on the duct tape and wire coat hangers, and hit said broken item more. Remember: if it isn't broke don't kick it.