San Jose today [Embedded Pics Warning]

marcovgv

I finally got some time to work on this San Jose. The cascade Branch will be brought down more in the future, but for the moment thats as far as I could go with out breaking it.

Below are a before and after pics. Let me know what you think.

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waltr

Nice trunk and first styling.
I'd get rid of that cascade branch through, it just doesn't do any thing for the style. If you wanted a cascade branch then I think the next one up could be used.
The other very low branches also don't look right. If you're unsure leave them for now as they can be cut later.
Please keep us up-dated.
wlt

bonsaikc

Not wanting to rain on your parade, I would like to point you to the forum policy on photos. I just had to wait 5 minutes for both photos to download before I could finish replying to the thread.

Forum Photo Policy


That being said, great job so far. Obviously it's easier to see the trunk movment in person, but the foliage has completely disguised it on your first photo, and you have done a great job getting rid of the straight portion and going for the movement. I like the base and what you have done so far. I almost like your wiring, so you are well on your way...work on using fewer wires. If you need three wires in one place, odds are good you could have used two and anchored at a better place. This takes some practice and instruction, but I like your coils and the way you follow the previous wire. Keep practicing!

I like your tree but would like to point out a couple of ways you might improve it.

Your tree has far too much informal upright to keep that cascading branch. It's redundant and takes away from the good work you have done. You don't need it. It should be a jin. The next couple of branches up should have more movement, they bend at the base and then are very straight. They should mirror the movement of the trunk.

Also, your tree could easily be half as tall without cutting anything off...always try to make the smaller tree if you can. It seems like a lot of work, but I would remove all the wire, wire the trunk with the largest size copper (2 strands if needed) and rewire all the branches (this might be hard on the tree if you have already moved all the branches a lot, so wait until next year). Then compress the bends instead of raising them. Your tree would look far more like a yamadori if you thought, "in and down" instead of "up and out."

This is a great piece of material and you have done a lot with it. Expand your horizons and it could be a fine bonsai. Don't settle for ordinary.

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marcovgv

The trunk is way to thick to compress it in to a shorter trere, as you stated.
I was not sure about the cascade branch, but it was either try it out or cut it off. I decicided to try it cascade, in a couple of months i will try and get it in the possition i want , if it dosnt look good off it goes. Besides i had never tried the raffia nad bending technique so it was good practice. The wire situation i dont even want to talk about, For some reason this tree kicked my ass, I had to fight with it every branch twig and little piece of foliage, branches cracking and in the end to avoid braking more branced i ended up wiring some individually.

anttal63

well

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Antonio . . .
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anttal63

well done marco in time you will see what it needs or doesnt need. good advice from kc though.

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Antonio . . .
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ficusfanatic

nice work. with all due respect to tradition, and it would be a fine informal upright, i love the cascade branch. enjoy your 'hybrid' tree.... it must have been a joy to find that tree in that stock. let us know what you decide.

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-chris-

marcovgv

Thanks, we will see what happens. i will post pics the next time i get to work on it.

marco

Vonsgardens

I am with Chris on this one. Needs to be compressed, most of the wire may or may not be effective. Just a thought.
John

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"Wiring is simple; However, it is not easy to do it right" Boon