Workshop With Kenji Miyata

Adam_MA

All,
My club had another all day workshop with Kenji Miyata this past Sunday. Just like the last one I was overwhelmed and truly amazed at the talent and artistic eye that Mr. Miyata posses. He is able to see the bonsai inside any tree. I brought 3 trees to work on. One was my Japanese Maple that last time he helped me take it from nursery stock to pre-bonsai, re-potting and working on the roots. This time he helped me trim where needed and instructed me on what to pinch and what to leave alone, as well as what branches and buds were important and to take special care of. The other tree was my Cypress that I presented in THIS THREAD . I will post pictures of that one tomorrow.

I was most excited about the 3rd tree. I bought this Ficus Retusa from our very own Ron Martin. I took delivery of this Ficus just about 2 months ago. Having only seen it in pictures I was extremely excited to finally get my hands on it. After sitting in my greenhouse for 2 months and putting on plenty of growth I thought it was a good time to start working on this tree. And having a 7 hour workshop with Kenji Miyata, made working on my new Ficus the logical choice.

Of course being as excited as I was to start working on my tree I forgot to take a before picture. In fact I forgot all together to take any pictures of this tree since I've had it. I did however have pictures that Ron sent to me, and with his permission I will use one of his pictures as the before.

Here is the tree as it sat in Ron's place before being shipped up.

Attached Images

retusa before1.jpg (67.8 KB, 497 views)

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Adam_MA

I learned an important lesson working on this tree. Ramification is a wonderful thing until you have to wire it all! But seriously I had a great time wiring every branch on this tree. It took a great deal of time, but I loved every minute of it.

Here is the after. I appreciate any comments or suggestions you have.

Thanks
Adam

Attached Images

retusa 4.jpg (33.7 KB, 471 views)

D3rutat

the tree looks very good. I would let the foliage drop a bit, it seems a little bit too tall, just a little bit too tall. And of course you should try to fill the foliage pads. The root base will be a problem, how about drilling some holes and adding rooting hormone in them and burying the roots a little deeper? It seems like it has no roots now. just a high tapered trunk.Very nice

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Bonsai Club Romania

DavidN

I think it looks pretty good. The large scar at the top is the only major concern I have.

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Bonsai Northwest Inc, Melbourne, Australia

Bonsai Flora Nursery in Yarraville, Melbourne

dbz12fan

The large scar was my concern as well. IMO you should allow for foliage to fill in near the apex to cover this scar.

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Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

Adam_MA

Thanks for the comments guys! I will post this guy again after a couple months of good strong growing!

Thanks
Adam

RonMartin(deceased)

Actually I would not be surprised if that scar is all but gone in a couple of seasons.
The year before you got the tree that scar was about 30% bigger than when you received it.

Adam_MA

Thanks for the info Ron,

I'm not quite sure what scar you are pointing out. There is a large scar at the apex in the back of the tree where it was chopped, but I think the bad lighting/photo may be making it look much worse near the apex. I will try to get another pic with better light of the top.

Thanks
Adam

RonMartin(deceased)

Not sure about everyone else but this is the scar I am talking about.

Attached Images

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