Stewartia Pseudocamellia

JudyB · Mar 3, 2014

I'm starting to see a pattern in my material purchasing in the last couple years, and it's starting to be all about the bark for me. In addition to my Chinese quince obsession, I've started to be intensely interested in Stewartia. Although I hear they can be difficult and finicky, I've found one and am really looking forward to seeing this develop. Will probably get a monodelpha as well once I get my feet wet with this one. Just got it into a trainer and did some branch reductions.... The base is just wonderful on this, I wanted something fairly broad and large to show off the trunk bark. It's about 3 inches at the low branch and 6" at soil line.
Here are some photos, I think I'll cut the large branch that is covered in much of the photos.

Open to ideas, there is still more pruning on the docket.
enjoy.

Dav4 · Mar 3, 2014

S. pseudocamelia is one of my all time favorite landscape trees, having four season interest with it's beautiful exfoliating bark, flowers, and soft, green foliage. I've never seen one used for bonsai material though you clearly found one. As a landscape tree, I know they like moist, cool roots and some afternoon shade from summer sun. I wish I could give you more species specific bonsai culture info. It looks like the apex needs a little help in developing an identity befitting that great trunk. I'd probably go ahead and prune and wire it out and see what happens this spring. Good luck with it.

yenling83 · Mar 3, 2014

Nice material Judy! Best of luck with it.

JudyB · Mar 3, 2014

Dav4 said:
It looks like the apex needs a little help in developing an identity befitting that great trunk. I'd probably go ahead and prune and wire it out and see what happens this spring.

I indeed did a chop up top and am on my way to better definition of the apex. Also it's about 1/2 wired right now, I'll post in a couple days an update once I'm done wiring. I have two sides now that I'm looking at as well.... more.... later.

Dav4 · Mar 3, 2014

Looking at the pictures again, I wonder if the lowest branch toward the back of the tree is low enough to be considered a trunk...any chance for a twin trunk/mother-daughter style with this?

coh · Mar 3, 2014

Looks like a "wee tree"? They had a bunch of these and they all sold.

I've got a couple of S. pseudocamellias in my yard, love them...have been thinking about "harvesting" one of them but it doesn't have good roots so I'll probably leave it alone. I'd like to get a S. monadelpha (or maybe a few for a clump/forest) which from what I've read has finer growth and is more suited for "reasonable" sized bonsai.

Keep us posted, let us know how this one develops.

Chris

dick benbow · Mar 3, 2014

Enjoyed your observation on yourself. I'm in transistion to more deciduous stuff and will follow your comments on this tree.

repotted a korean hornbeam into a korean pot was my high point for the day.

Last fall colected an alpine willow, and i see today it's beginning to push leaves and one fuzzy bloom. so delighted to see it survived and has life.

since you've been out here to the collection, so many changes, hard to come to terms with it all.

keep up the good work Judy, thanks for sharing

discusmike · Mar 3, 2014

Nice base flare

Cadillactaste · Mar 3, 2014

What can I say...you always seem to have pretty amazing stuff your working with...you mentioned how thick...how tall is this? And what size do you consider your max comfort zone of working on...being a woman and all. Though everyone has their limitations men and women alike.

jk_lewis · Mar 3, 2014

Wow! Nice tree. I've wanted one of these but I'm no longer adding plants, so I'll just watch you work on this one. Have fun.

JudyB · Mar 3, 2014

Dav4 said:
Looking at the pictures again, I wonder if the lowest branch toward the back of the tree is low enough to be considered a trunk...any chance for a twin trunk/mother-daughter style with this?

You Bet.

yes wee tree.

Dick, nice to hear that D trees are on your radar, how is that Tucker oak doing at the PRC?

Thanks JKL, I will...

Dav4 · Mar 3, 2014

Mother/daughter twin trunks have become a favorite style of mine. Any chance you can get a picture with the trunk rotated counterclockwise a bit?

rev0s · Mar 3, 2014

I am absolutely taken with this tree. What a beautiful start, congratulations!

Brian Van Fleet · Mar 3, 2014

Great material Judy! Eager to see this one come along.

discusmike · Mar 3, 2014

I think this tree would look even better with more branching and the apex regrown, can't wait to see what you do Judy, you must use a lot of water with all those trees you have in the summer

JudyB · Mar 4, 2014

Thanks all,

In answer to how tall, it's 24" above the soil. Yes it will look better with more branching, it had a lot more, but none of it was usable. I collect water, so it's not too bad, and we are on a well out here, so that helps. Mother daughter and twins are also some of my favorites, and becoming more so all the time.

Darlene, I am in a line of work that has largely been a mans domain. When you do that, then you better be ready and able to do just as well and actually better to prove yourself. That means physically too. (I can outwork almost anyone) So actually that is sort of insulting to see someone say "being a woman and all..." -at least from my standpoint, to women everywhere. I don't have any problems with my trees, and this one is not by a long shot my largest tree. Leverage is a good thing to learn, I'm 5'1" and can do what needs done.

I too am super excited about this tree, will post more shots all the way round once I'm done with wiring...

Cadillactaste · Mar 4, 2014

JudyB said:
Thanks all,

In answer to how tall, it's 24" above the soil. Yes it will look better with more branching, it had a lot more, but none of it was usable. I collect water, so it's not too bad, and we are on a well out here, so that helps. Mother daughter and twins are also some of my favorites, and becoming more so all the time.

Darlene, I am in a line of work that has largely been a mans domain. When you do that, then you better be ready and able to do just as well and actually better to prove yourself. That means physically too. (I can outwork almost anyone) So actually that is sort of insulting to see someone say "being a woman and all..." -at least from my standpoint, to women everywhere. I don't have any problems with my trees, and this one is not by a long shot my largest tree. Leverage is a good thing to learn, I'm 5'1" and can do what needs done.

I too am super excited about this tree, will post more shots all the way round once I'm done with wiring...

Sorry...I didn't meant for it to be offensive. But think of how awkward just moving the bottlebrush I have is. And just don't know what I am doing wrong.

Maybe there is a better technique than I am using. I assumed you only handle the pot itself. So not to disturb roots and such. I have not been to any classes as of yet. So I have not really seen bonsai trees handled. So possible ignorance of handling them properly is where my confusion lays and where my question came. But I also mentioned men also have their limitations. We all at some point have limitations. Never meant to offend you.

JudyB · Mar 4, 2014

Not to get off the subject here, but that exact kind of thinking is what I came up against in my field early on in my career, every every every day. People telling me that I couldn't do it because.... And it's what has set women back in the workforce and in many other pursuits as well. It is one of the most irritating things to me, that gender should matter. (or race, or religion...) I am the person now in charge, but I still outwork everyone on the crew.

Maybe you could lift weights, and just get stronger. Stronger is better.
rant over, back to the tree please...

Cadillactaste · Mar 4, 2014

Again...I am sorry I offended you...I do feel really bad. I commend you with where you are in your career and am sorry that you have had to struggle with ones giving you a hard time getting there. Maybe I am just not good at words...I know ones awhile back that had gotten rid of to large of material do to their age coming into factor with new limitations...And your tree looked HUGE! Which put me in awe...you seem to not have limitations with size...Which was why I was curious how big your largest tree was. I again am sorry you took offense...and if I offended any others...I truly am sorry.

I do workout...but do to an issue with a shoulder...I have limitations as to how much weight I can lift. I am sorry that if my own limitations came across as your own.

Now...back to the tree

That is a magnificent tree Judy...I know you'll do amazing work with it. Because all your trees are amazing and I always look forward to your posts.

GrimLore · Mar 4, 2014

Very nice specimen. I do not recall seeing one in in Bonsai although my mind might have been searching for something else. Based on what I have seen you do I am certain it is in the "right hands" and has potential! Enjoy - We are

Grimmy

Stewartia Pseudocamellia

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