Rmj, how much tree to use?

[PiñonJ]

Not sure what you mean, you're suggesting lowering the apex more?

Either the jin, or the apex, just so they are not at the same height. In this case, probably the apex.

 

[wireme]

The branch structure looks good, though it is a little hard to see through the foliage

There are a couple cheats there for sure, this branch comes over the top of the main branch from behind to fill space. Eventually that won't be needed. This is the apex, I decided on just a simple spiral, a bit predictable, maybe cliche I don't know, but it seemed like the best option. I actually am shooting for something approaching "cookie cutter" with this one. Modelling it more on other bonsai than on real trees if you know what I mean. Trying to make my tree look like a bonsai, not my bonsai look like a tree and not afraid to admit it ha! Other material will have different objectives.

 

[wireme]

Either the jin, or the apex, just so they are not at the same height. In this case, probably the apex.

Ah, yeah I see what you mean but right now i don't want to do either. Maybe I'll glue the jinn back on? Here it is wired back into place.

 

[wireme]

There's also a fair bit of absurd wiring like this on the tree! Wire ends left wild while I think things over etc.. As mentioned I just didn't have the wire to try to do it right. Little things like this were placed here and there so foliage at least approaches the right position. Call it a kind of rough in. I actually find it helps to envision the finall product when a real wiring does happen. I think it's pretty harmless with some caution.It may cause Adairs head to explode or something I suppose.

 

[Vance Wood]

At some point you are going to have to deal with how to create foliage pads and how to control the growth so that the tree gets more compact.

 

[Djtommy]

i think i would put the foliage more with a direction to the right, dont have as low on left as its now but rather make it lower on the right side, i believe it could benefit the directional flow of the tree, the left jin would need to be bend but i dont think thats impossible.

 

[wireme]

At some point you are going to have to deal with how to create foliage pads and how to control the growth so that the tree gets more compact.

Yes, I consider everything done so far to be just steps to set the stage for those things. Hopefully will manage to pull the rest off as time goes on!

 

[wireme]

i think i would put the foliage more with a direction to the right, dont have as low on left as its now but rather make it lower on the right side, i believe it could benefit the directional flow of the tree, the left jin would need to be bend but i dont think thats impossible.

I have thought of that. Along the lines of Stacey's virtual a couple pages back?
That I think will require more time. Time to grow out some foliage that's not there yet. I thought it made sense to try to come up with a somewhat finished image using what is there now first. Then reasses the tree and quite possibly head in the direction you say. I've already bent a jinn on the left to where I thought it would work best with the current developing design. It can be moved again if that's the one you meant.

 

[PiñonJ]

I actually am shooting for something approaching "cookie cutter" with this one. Modelling it more on other bonsai than on real trees if you know what I mean. Trying to make my tree look like a bonsai, not my bonsai look like a tree and not afraid to admit it ha! Other material will have different objectives.

Model it on whatever works, but this tree screams 'wild tree.' I'm not sure you'll be able to make it cookie cutter, lol!

There's also a fair bit of absurd wiring like this on the tree! Wire ends left wild while I think things over etc.. As mentioned I just didn't have the wire to try to do it right. Little things like this were placed here and there so foliage at least approaches the right position. Call it a kind of rough in. I actually find it helps to envision the finall product when a real wiring does happen. I think it's pretty harmless with some caution.It may cause Adairs head to explode or something I suppose. View attachment 120188

Unconventional, for sure!

i think i would put the foliage more with a direction to the right, dont have as low on left as its now but rather make it lower on the right side, i believe it could benefit the directional flow of the tree, the left jin would need to be bend but i dont think thats impossible.

With the image you have so far, I don't agree with making a defining branch on the right side. You would have to completely re-think your image. I think you're working well with what the tree is giving you.

 

[wireme]

Model it on whatever works, but this tree screams 'wild tree.' I'm not sure you'll be able to make it cookie cutter, lol!
.

Well if look at the tree at the start of the thread you can see I removed a lot of it.
I dreamt up a lot of different ideas using more of the tree. Some of them downright whacky, could have been fun. Of all the ideas I had for the tree this or something like this was kind of the most conforming to a "bonsai look". Maybe that's why I see it as a bit cookie cutter. If it's not really, that's good!

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the current direction too!

 

[Djtommy]

I have thought of that. Along the lines of Stacey's virtual a couple pages back?
That I think will require more time. Time to grow out some foliage that's not there yet. I thought it made sense to try to come up with a somewhat finished image using what is there now first. Then reasses the tree and quite possibly head in the direction you say. I've already bent a jinn on the left to where I thought it would work best with the current developing design. It can be moved again if that's the one you meant. View attachment 120196View attachment 120197

yes, staceys virt is more or less what i had in mind. id leave the right jin probably longer though. flow wise it just seems better

 

[Dav4]

It happens. I'd much rather live in a world where this danger exists than a world where these animals no longer have habitat to live in. Big grizzly was spotted a couple kms away last week too. Scary yes but also great.

I once had some in ground pre=bonsai junipers inadvertently styled by my 140# bull mastiff...but never a bear.

Fwiw, I agree with you completely about animals like this...our world is diminished on many levels when it loses it's diversity and it's good that there still are places where bears like this one are still able to be bears.

 

[PiñonJ]

Well if look at the tree at the start of the thread you can see I removed a lot of it.
I dreamt up a lot of different ideas using more of the tree. Some of them downright whacky, could have been fun. Of all the ideas I had for the tree this or something like this was kind of the most conforming to a "bonsai look". Maybe that's why I see it as a bit cookie cutter. If it's not really, that's good!

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the current direction too!

If you want cookie cutter, graft shimpaku onto it!

 

[wireme]

If you want cookie cutter, graft shimpaku onto it!

Nope!

 

[wireme]

Spent a bit of time with this one this afternoon. First time this season doing anything other than repotting so that was nice. Thinned out some weak and useless stuff. Tweaked a couple things that were easy to tweak. It's looking quite good healthwise, started growing already, should make some progress this season.

 

[sorce]

Spent a bit of time with this one this afternoon. First time this season doing anything other than repotting so that was nice. Thinned out some weak and useless stuff. Tweaked a couple things that were easy to tweak. It's looking quite good healthwise, started growing already, should make some progress this season. View attachment 146780

That is so beautifully framed.

Fantasmal!

Sorce

 

[wireme]

That is so beautifully framed.

Fantasmal!

Sorce

Thanks Sorce. I'm totally pleased with the way it's shaping up myself. I think I'll try bending the descending branch a bit to follow the flow of that bottom Jinn better sometime soon.

 

[discusmike]

Nice find

 

[Vance Wood]

Thanks Sorce. I'm totally pleased with the way it's shaping up myself. I think I'll try bending the descending branch a bit to follow the flow of that bottom Jinn better sometime soon.

Use a slow application of heat/fire and pressure over time and you can pretty much bend the jined branch almost anywhere you want to. The branch is old and dry but it should still be full of resin. If that is the case the application of heat and bending the branch in the desired direction with the application of some sort of mechanical assistance like a turnbuckle should make accomplishing this kind of move interesting and rewarding. Take it slow and allow the turnbuckle to remain in place until the wood cools.

 

[wireme]

Use a slow application of heat/fire and pressure over time and you can pretty much bend the jined branch almost anywhere you want to. The branch is old and dry but it should still be full of resin. If that is the case the application of heat and bending the branch in the desired direction with the application of some sort of mechanical assistance like a turnbuckle should make accomplishing this kind of move interesting and rewarding. Take it slow and allow the turnbuckle to remain in place until the wood cools.

Thanks Vance, I'll keep it in mind if I feel like I need to move it around. I did something similar once. Wrapped a jinn in wet paper towel and covered it with tinfoil. Left it for a week to give the wood time to absorb then heated with a torch through the paper and foil, steamed it. It worked but would slowly move back to where it was over time (months).