Species Spotlight: Myrtus communis

rschlafer

NOW THAT IS A STUMP! This is going to be a great looking tree in a few years (or now) That grew a lot of foliage in one month. The carving looks like it will be fun! Nice Pot btw. I love Lotus shaped pots.

__________________
- Todd

coloradobonsai.com
Specializing in Yamadori Bonsai/Pre Bonsai.

Advertisement

bonsaial1

Another thirty days. Not much change in the outline but the ramification is triple.

Attached Images

	083007.JPG (48.3 KB, 124 views)
	DSC_000414.JPG (69.4 KB, 148 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

Vonsgardens

Very nice Al, I don't know how I pissed this thread before, love the stumps. John

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

anttal63

nice goatie al

__________________
Antonio . . .
------------------------------------

rschlafer

This tree is fantastic. Have you been continually clipping it this summer?

__________________
- Todd

coloradobonsai.com
Specializing in Yamadori Bonsai/Pre Bonsai.

SiNguyen

Massive tree Al! At this rate, it is going to be a spectacular tree in just a year more. What else are you planning for this tree? Are you going to carve that trunk or hollow it out soon? The mid horizontal section is a bit heavy looking from here. Have you consider a cascade style for this tree yet?
Si

bonsaial1

Thanks for the comments. I trim the tree almost daily. At least every other day. Each time I pinch back it splits into two more buds. I keep cutting back each time to larger twigs to keep the foliage compact. I could get it pretty lanky fast if I'm not careful. I have noticed that the suckering near the branches is slowing down, and while I still get some on the base, it's slowed down to about half. So thats a good thing.

As far as carving, I have three heavy branch stubs that will need to be reduced and hollowed. They are very prominent and will have to be addressed since I am convinced this is the best side of the tree. When I dug it from the ground, I imagined the other side as the front and did not take steps to leave stubs to carve. Since the pruneing scars are rather flush, I will have to hollow them.

No cascade here, though that could be an idea. John Naka had a very old large Jeffery Pine that he turned sideways and made a cascade from. I think it is in his books either no. I or II. I didn't really like the tree and it always seemed too heavy for a cascade to me. I think Informal upright is going to be its form.


As far as the middle section, I had not really thought about reducing nor carving this area. That may be something I look at in the future, but as of now I had not thought too much about it.

My short term goals for the tree is to develop the apex more. Right now it is mostly composed of just twigs clipped to shape with no real branch structure. The lower branches are for the most part set and will just need thickening over the years along with constant pruneing. I do need to make some choices this winter and choose some branches for the top and allow them to develop. They grow amazingly fast so I should be able to build a top as quickly as I devolped the bottom.

On the other forum Rick Moquin had asked about my pot. "He asked why I felt a need to change it?" I don't think I especially feel a need to change inso much as I feel the tree will deserve better after it has been worked on for a few years. I love the shape, and the size for the tree. I just feel that somehow it should be a glazed pot for a flowering tree. I am hopeing for flowers this year and will prune this winter to prepare for such. I have begun my flower fertilizer in prep for this also. Once I see the tree in bloom, I will have a better idea what to really do as far as a pot and color. The flowers are white.

The pot now is a Yixing pot from China, Royola Pacific. They make pretty nice inexpensive pots for the bonsai market. What they make are very good large pots. Soemthing very lacking in the USA. I am fortunate in that my local bonsai nursery can get most anything I request. That is a big bonus here in my neck of the woods. Here is ole Ripsgreentree posing with a couple big ones at the nursery.

Cheers, Al

Attached Images

	DSCF0763.JPG (60.2 KB, 89 views)
	DSCF0762.JPG (58.8 KB, 91 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

I carved out a huge branch scar above the first branch on the right. I tried to make it look like a scar that had rotted out and had a depression. I carved a water groove also. Don't need the water sitting there for extended periods causing real rot!

There are two other scars to carve out. I started these also but the still need more work.

Attached Images

	DSC_000111.JPG (49.6 KB, 58 views)
	DSC_00111.JPG (37.1 KB, 64 views)
	DSC_00031.JPG (68.5 KB, 51 views)
	DSC_00161.JPG (58.5 KB, 46 views)
	DSC_00121.JPG (59.6 KB, 57 views)
	DSC_000712.JPG (48.9 KB, 84 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!

bonsaial1

I had to use the respirator due to the hardness of the wood and the acrid smoke. It really takes your breath away.

Picture of the tree after carving and lime sulphur. More carving this weekend.

Attached Images

DSC_001811.JPG (47.9 KB, 133 views)

__________________
I been kidding the last seven years.
no.... really!