Yeah man for sure on the repotting and club. I took up Bonsai in the beginning of March around corona and since then I have amassed a nice little collection. Through reading and numerous videos I’ve been trying to learn , with not the best results ha. I looked for some clubs in Long Island NY and actually joined one but doesn’t seem to in depth. Kind of just doing a trial and error with my ramification attempts, styling, pruning and what not. Not sure about phoenix graft or what that is even. I feel like that dead wood on the Juniper seems like a separate entity like was never part of the tree and just placed there (deadwood) so the Juniper can grow around it ?
Is that right? I actually considered the fact that this might be a phoenix graft, or Tanuki, but then thought it looked like the live vein was connected to the deadwood in such a way that it was unlikely. If it is indeed a Tanuki then the value will be considerably less and some thumb their noses at them. Most clubs won't show them.
Sounds very much like phoenix graft juniper where a younger tree is attached to a larger piece of dead wood to make it look like an older tree. That would also explain the price paid.
Hmm alright thanks. No flowers on mine yet and it seems like the guy kept it outside forever. Top of soil is all messy. I checked out the Juniper and it was difficult to distingusih if it was grafted or not. Have to do some raking on top portion of soil.
I mean I think aesthetically it’s pleasing- but being made aware of the “phoenix graft” ideology in the Bonsai community, I kind of feel a disservice to the art is all. That’s why it kind of crossed my mind to deconstruct it.
