Shohin Zelkova

[Lazylightningny]

Mach, can you talk about the soil mix in your first pic? and is that chopped sphagnum on top?

 

[MACH5]

Mach, can you talk about the soil mix in your first pic? and is that chopped sphagnum on top?

Sure. I used 100% akadama. I put chopped sphagnum moss on top to keep the tree cool and damp through the hottest months. I recently took it all off and that's now why you're seeing. I hope that helps.

 

[MACH5]

Wow!

The only thing about that set up is I would worry that the nebari may become one sided since there is so much more available soil on one side. Maybe alternate which side it's potted on at each repotting!

Yes or... can it be done by more aggressively containing the roots on that side at repotting? Or, does it make that much of a difference knowing how often we repot trees? I wonder?

 

[0soyoung]

Yes or... can it be done by more aggressively containing the roots on that side at repotting? Or, does it make that much of a difference knowing how often we repot trees? I wonder?

I am staying tuned.

BTW, does bonsai get any more exciting that this?

 

[MACH5]

I am staying tuned.

BTW, does bonsai get any more exciting that this?

Hardly Oso. This is edge-of-your-seat excitement! Be sure not to miss the next episode

 

[Andrew Robson]

Sure. I used 100% akadama. I put chopped sphagnum moss on top to keep the tree cool and damp through the hottest months. I recently took it all off and that's now why you're seeing. I hope that helps.

I put sphagnum or yamagoke moss on top of all my trees (even conifers, just with less amount). It really helps develop lots feeder roots, and keeps the trees in my substrates moist longer.

 

[Adair M]

Yes or... can it be done by more aggressively containing the roots on that side at repotting? Or, does it make that much of a difference knowing how often we repot trees? I wonder?

I don't know... Looking at that tree, it appears to me the heavier fork of the two large branches is going towards the short side of the pot. Logically, it should be the other way around. The heavier branch should go towards the larger expanse of "ground".

 

[MACH5]

I don't know... Looking at that tree, it appears to me the heavier fork of the two large branches is going towards the short side of the pot. Logically, it should be the other way around. The heavier branch should go towards the larger expanse of "ground".

LOL well heck... now I am confused. I thought originally you were making horticultural observations? But now it seems you are speaking aesthetically. In any case, yes agreed I would place it on the other side as well. We may be splitting hairs here but bonsai is very hairy!

 

[crust]

Crust are you referring to swelling?

Two trunks diverged in the night--both were the same size--yes the swelling. I wonder if it will get even bigger? One thing I have always admired ins the form of old elms. They have numerous slender trunks sprawling out from the main yet never get a lump--which kind of seems tough to do with bonsai.

 

[Adair M]

Two trunks diverged in the night--both were the same size--yes the swelling. I wonder if it will get even bigger? One thing I have always admired ins the form of old elms. They have numerous slender trunks sprawling out from the main yet never get a lump--which kind of seems tough to do with bonsai.

Yes. This is the difference between a zelkova broom made by growing a seed into a bonsai vs chopping a large tree and "creating" a broom from the sprouts. The latter method usually results in a large swell.

Mr Ibihara managed to do it, but he was extraordinarily talented. He made a "Million Dollar Tree" that way. It's called that because someone offered him a Million dollars for his zelkova broom. He turned down the offer, by the way.

 

[Adair M]

Here is a picture of Mr Ibihara's zelkova as featured in a Japanese magazine:

 

[Andrew Robson]

Thanks for sharing that progression Adair!

You can see the tree here: https://dupuich.smugmug.com/Bonsai/Re-ups/i-rMGM4B7/A

Also, here is a technique he uses to get that outstanding nebari! http://bonsaitonight.com/2011/06/10/the-best-repotting-of-the-year/

 

[Adair M]

Thanks for sharing that progression Adair!

You can see the tree here: https://dupuich.smugmug.com/Bonsai/Re-ups/i-rMGM4B7/A

Also, here is a technique he uses to get that outstanding nebari! http://bonsaitonight.com/2011/06/10/the-best-repotting-of-the-year/

Yep! Just like the one I did. I used screws rather than nails.

 

[ColinFraser]

Be sure not to miss the next episode

Haha, in a year! It's worse than waiting for the new season of Game of Thrones

 

[MACH5]

A couple of pics from tonight.

 

[Giga]

I never had much interest in zelkova but this is really nice

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

nice, very nice...

 

[dirk hoorelbeke]

Here is a picture of Mr Ibihara's zelkova as featured in a Japanese magazine:

I do like that tree very much. I do understand that he put on grafts on top to get growth right from the top. The thing i do not understand is that this tree develops a central leader over time. You can see it in the picture 4 years later. There is a big branch in the middle by then. Would this be a big graft or a couple grafts made on the edge and grafted together? As i'm planning on starting a bigger project like this it would help a lot understanding this. I like the natural look of those trees with a central leader. Thanks.

 

[Djtommy]

I do like that tree very much. I do understand that he put on grafts on top to get growth right from the top. The thing i do not understand is that this tree develops a central leader over time. You can see it in the picture 4 years later. There is a big branch in the middle by then. Would this be a big graft or a couple grafts made on the edge and grafted together? As i'm planning on starting a bigger project like this it would help a lot understanding this. I like the natural look of those trees with a central leader. Thanks.

Thats indeed what makes this so great to me too. I wonder if its luck or indeed a graft or something else..i think i will ask around once here. Planning to start some zelkova projects next year as well, with thanx to cmeg as well.

 

[Adair M]

I do like that tree very much. I do understand that he put on grafts on top to get growth right from the top. The thing i do not understand is that this tree develops a central leader over time. You can see it in the picture 4 years later. There is a big branch in the middle by then. Would this be a big graft or a couple grafts made on the edge and grafted together? As i'm planning on starting a bigger project like this it would help a lot understanding this. I like the natural look of those trees with a central leader. Thanks.

Here is another picture of the development of Mr. Ebihara's tree. Note the two grafts in progress using rooted scions.

Mr Ebihara is probably the best grafter of all time. I have seen some amazing photos of some of his projects that are just unbelievable!