Bougie into a Cascade?

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
A friend of mine has recently started selling bonsai material and he posted this image of a bougainvillea that he had for sale. It immediately caught my eye because of the great deadwood.
16722439_710042979157250_3962820770353840214_o.jpg

I took a drive out to his place over the weekend to have a good look at it and to decide if I wanted it or not.
Once I got there, I had a good look and I saw that I could do something with it.

At first I thought that the piece on the bottom left was rooted and I could cut the one side off and hopefully get 2 trees out of it.
The first one, I would do some carving on the dead wood in the front and style the canopy
123.jpg
The 2nd part I would hope to have it bud out and grow something from there.
123.jpg

The dead wood had plenty of rot on it but I scratched it and saw that it could easily be removed and cleaned up. Also we have had so much rain over the last few weeks that the rot was very wet.
IMG_8388.JPG
IMG_8387.JPG IMG_8384.JPG
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
So I bought the tree and brought it home. I firstly wanted to clean off all the wet rot and treat it with lime sulphur.

I put it onto my work station and got started. This is the back view of the tree.
IMG_8383.JPG

Front view
IMG_8381.JPG

I have a small stiff bristle brush and I started scrubbing away on the dead wood to clean off the rot.
IMG_8385.JPG


After 30 minutes I realised that this would take me forever so I took out my dremel with a small wire brush and started to use that. It worked like a charm. It removed the wet rot in no time and once that was gone, it did no damage to the hard wood beneath.

Whilst I was busy, I realised that the piece that I had thought was rooted was in fact not. It had just been resting quite deeply in the soil.
IMG_8383.JPG
I found a rock in my yard and wedged that underneath it to keep it out of the soil and too allow me to clean up the rot around that area too.

After about 2 hours, the rot had all been cleaned off and it was actually looking quite good.
IMG_8393.JPG
IMG_8392.JPG
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
All during the time that I was busy cleaning off the rot, I was thinking on a possibly future plan for the tree. The canopy is in some serious need of styling. The branches are growing every way except the right way but that I knew that that could be correct. My concern was how was I going to plant this tree one day into a suitable container and upright.

After I had cleaned off all the rot, I wanted it to dry out before put lime sulphur on it to preserve it. I moved it to the garden and called it quits for the day.

IMG_8395.JPG
IMG_8391.JPG
As I was taking the final pics, it hit me that it could definitely work as a cascade. If I get the correct pot and make sure that it is secured into the pot correctly, it could work. I did a quick mockup on the PC of what I was thinking.

Cascade.jpg
The canopy will have to be styled correctly but that will be for Spring in Sept 2017.
Let me know your thoughts on this and if I am heading in the right direction. Suggestions and critique most welcome
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Maybe it's because it's floating in mid air......
But there is to much "live trunk" disconnect between the pot, the DW, and the foliage.

The squarededoffedness the up- across-down creates currently is a little bothersome...

But this is great!

When you find something that works well, it will be pretty....

I love the dead and flowers.
Nice cleanup.

Sorce
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
Maybe it's because it's floating in mid air......
But there is to much "live trunk" disconnect between the pot, the DW, and the foliage.

The squarededoffedness the up- across-down creates currently is a little bothersome...

But this is great!

When you find something that works well, it will be pretty....

I love the dead and flowers.
Nice cleanup.

Sorce
Thanks so much Sorce. Appreciate the feedback.

I put it on a stand. :confused:
Cascade.jpg

When the wood is treated, I am going to leave it till spring and see how the new growth comes out. I am thinking of doing some carving on the wood to make it look more natural.

Is this what you mean about "squarededoffedness" (the area circled) To me this is where I will have to work on the carving to add in more texture with carving? Or am I missing what you meant?
Cascade.jpg
 
Last edited:

Cadillactaste

Neagari Gal
Messages
16,262
Reaction score
20,882
Location
NE Ohio: zone 4 (USA) lake microclimate
USDA Zone
5b
I must say...when I heard you mention making two trees from this piece. I was disheartened...you rob it of all the unique character it holds. Making it unique on your bench. That said...totally see the cascade!!! I do see that offering it the best potential with something others will pause and admire. Glad you let the tree whisper to you...before you ruined it into making two trees.
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
I must say...when I heard you mention making two trees from this piece. I was disheartened...you rob it of all the unique character it holds. Making it unique on your bench. That said...totally see the cascade!!! I do see that offering it the best potential with something others will pause and admire. Glad you let the tree whisper to you...before you ruined it into making two trees.
Thanks so much for the feedback.

I definitely think this can become a really good tree. So watch this space.

I am going to paint the deadwood with lime sulphur and then it must rest over autumn and winter.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
That looks a lot better with a stand.

The way it is in the pot now....
The perp and parallel lines to the pot is ugh.

But the DW is perfect! I wouldn't touch it. Let nature!

I agree with Caddi! I'm glad this is still one!

I think with a background, and a table, you could pull this look off. The cascade.

The closer you can get the crown to the DW the better.

I like this one a lot!

Sorce
 

CasAH

Chumono
Messages
780
Reaction score
1,270
Location
Arlington Heights, IL
USDA Zone
5
Maybe a different style pot?
View attachment 133811
I think the part you circled here is too vertical. On the second vert you have it at a slightly different angle that makes it look more natural.

When you repot in the future try to remember to make sure that section is not vertical.
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
I think the part you circled here is too vertical. On the second vert you have it at a slightly different angle that makes it look more natural.

When you repot in the future try to remember to make sure that section is not vertical.

Thanks CasAH. The angle on both the images are actually exactly the same. I think it is the pot that makes it look different. I do see what you mean though

I will continue to do a few mockups and change angles etc with different pots to get a good feel of the future possibilities. Still 6 months to go before repotting time so loads of time to get a really good idea.
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
That looks a lot better with a stand.

The way it is in the pot now....
The perp and parallel lines to the pot is ugh.

But the DW is perfect! I wouldn't touch it. Let nature!

I agree with Caddi! I'm glad this is still one!

I think with a background, and a table, you could pull this look off. The cascade.

The closer you can get the crown to the DW the better.

I like this one a lot!

Sorce
Thanks Sorce. When you mentioned the Perp and parallel lines, I suddenly see it. I tend to agree with you.

Also the image of the stand in the pics doesn't really help the overall image either

Any texture in a pot will take away from the tree. IMO

Antique Chinese.
Brown.
Muted.
I like what you are thinking. Unfortunately antique chinese is out out my budget and probably will not be found here in South Africa but a brown muted pot shouldn't be too hard.

I was searching the net for a few pots just to get a feel of possibilities.

1.
Option 1.jpg
2.
Option 2.jpg
3.
Option 3.jpg
4.
Option 4.jpg
5.Option 5.jpg
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
I spent the afternoon yesterday treating the wood with lime sulphur. After cleaning off the rot, I want to preserve it as best I can.
Before
IMG_8410.JPG
After
IMG_8411.JPG

This morning it has already started loosing the yellow colour and turning white.
IMG_8416.JPG IMG_8415.JPG

Then I realised that I had not put anything for a size reference so here we go. Monster Energy Can - 500ml (17 fl.oz.)
IMG_8413.JPG
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2
Nice!

2! The shape, size, color.
Hell, even the lips "match" the rolling over live tissue on the DW.

Sure it's shopped in, but even the shadows work.

The rounds don't look "strong" enough.

Man! I don't know if you are spending an arm and a leg, or just pulling arms and legs off dudes to get these trees! Lol!

But you come up with some stuff I really dig!

When is your repot Month for this?

Sorce
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
Nice!

2! The shape, size, color.
Hell, even the lips "match" the rolling over live tissue on the DW.

Sure it's shopped in, but even the shadows work.

The rounds don't look "strong" enough.

Man! I don't know if you are spending an arm and a leg, or just pulling arms and legs off dudes to get these trees! Lol!

But you come up with some stuff I really dig!

When is your repot Month for this?

Sorce
If I had to tell you how much I actually spent on this tree, you would say I got it for a steal. So yeah maybe I just pulled off some arms and legs. It helps to be a big guy.;)

I have to agree on pot 2. I also like pot 5 but it may be too shallow and doesn't look like it supports the weight of the tree. Now imaging when the canopy is styled and the flowers are out. :):):)

Re-pot month is mid August - End Sept. That is usually the best time when things are warming up. I want to get it repotted and positioned correctly and only then look at the canopy.
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
Messages
32,908
Reaction score
45,579
Location
Berwyn, Il
USDA Zone
6.2

My same thoughts on that one.

I kinda figured it wasn't too expensive, it's the kinda tree that sits in that realm, where you can get it cheap cuz it's "ugly", then bring out the "character" with a good vision.

My kinda stuff and you are killing with them!

Good eye good buy!

Sorce
 

Dorian Fourie

Chumono
Messages
716
Reaction score
2,010
Location
Johannesburg South Africa
USDA Zone
9b
My same thoughts on that one.

I kinda figured it wasn't too expensive, it's the kinda tree that sits in that realm, where you can get it cheap cuz it's "ugly", then bring out the "character" with a good vision.

My kinda stuff and you are killing with them!

Good eye good buy!

Sorce
Definitely.

Thanks so much. Now it is going to be a long 6 months before I can work on it. But till then, I will make sure that I do some detail work on the edges by making 100% sure I have missed any rooting wood etc. Have to get a finer brush to make sure all the edges are treated. Then I do have other trees to keep me busy with.
 
Top Bottom