Tropical Work

Well lately I have had the bonsai itch, so a round of work on the tropicals was in order. First up are two trees that I was lost with what to do with, so a cutback is all I could think of.

First up is a ficus Retusa that had lost vigor, and now regained it after a repotting a few months ago. I gave this tree to my wife as her project and she decided that it needed to be whacked back. Who was I to say no?

Before work:

After work:

Up next was a bougainvillea that I chopped back and added a little wire. Not much to look at but wanted to start it over from the beginning.

Before:

After:

Lastly, I defoliated and fully wired my green island ficus that I am hoping to have ready to show this fall. It has been growing well and I decided to get a jump on more ramification, and wiring to the tips.

Before:

After:

Spring Update

I have been rather busy lately, but I thought I’d post an update on my trees. I have thinned out everything except the worthwhile projects, in hopes of improving my technique and trying to make show-able trees.

The first tree is a Japanese maple forest that I acquired in August 2011. The trees have grown strongly and I hope to do some selective pruning soon. If you check back on my blog you can see photos as purchased.

Next up is a Japanese maple that I acquired this winter. To my surprise,the leaves came out in a red color. It appears to be a bloodgood variety. I am thinking of air layering parts of this tree in the future, but for now it just needs to get healthy and grow.

The last Japanese maple I have is an arakawa, or rough barked JM. I think some sort of broom style would be nice, need some growth to use as an apex.

To round out my deciduous trees, I bought a Korean hornbeam last winter and am quite excited about its future. Again, needs to have a healthy growing season for some options.

My only larch at the moment, the one I layered is no more. A little bit lost on where to take this one, wired it in February but I am unhappy with the result.

Next up ill share my two ficus trees. The first one is a green island ficus that I plan on showing this fall. I have already defoliated once and will again this summer.

Another ficus that has struggled this winter, but since repotting a few weeks ago is regaining its health. I have found out multiple times that repotting a tree after purchase is critical for the health of the tree. The soil mix needs to match you style of watering.

Lastly, my shimpaku juniper. It had some sort of fungus last year and lost quite a but of foliage. I repotted into well draining soil in hopes that it makes a full recovery this year.

And that’s it for the moment. We have moved back into the city and I don’t have room for much else. This year I’d like to see some health return to the trees and some progress towards final designs. The spring has had a slow start, but the good weather should be on its way.