Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
I have always wanted a Stewartia, and in December 2018, I had the opportunity to dig one from a grower’s field in Georgia:
Bare-rooted and washed off the Georgia red clay when I got it home:
Potted:
By late May, 2019, it was pretty strong, and clearly hadn’t skipped a beat from being dug and moved.
So I did a little structure-pruning in July, so some of the wounds would start to heal. I considered this as the front, so I could use the first branch on the left.
Leafless in late-November:
Decided to change the front to show more trunk movement.
And here it is after pruning and wiring in February. Not bad for 15 months from “collection”:
I may repot it to at least set the planting angle this spring.
Bare-rooted and washed off the Georgia red clay when I got it home:
Potted:
By late May, 2019, it was pretty strong, and clearly hadn’t skipped a beat from being dug and moved.
So I did a little structure-pruning in July, so some of the wounds would start to heal. I considered this as the front, so I could use the first branch on the left.
Leafless in late-November:
Decided to change the front to show more trunk movement.
And here it is after pruning and wiring in February. Not bad for 15 months from “collection”:
I may repot it to at least set the planting angle this spring.