New San Jose Rough Stock

*Update on page 2*

Hello all..Getting an early start on some treee work this season. This is a San Jose I purchased at the end of last season. This tree has very good proportions. After styling, it is now 10 1/2 inches tall with a 2 1/2 inch base. This tree has a long journey ahead of it. Especially with the infamous San Jose foliage. However, if all goes well, it should have some nice pad structure in about 3-5 years. Here are the befores and afters.

Comment always welcome
Rob

Very nice work, Rob! I think you've achieved a real natural look with this tree and I could imagine seeing a tree like this up in the mountains some where. Well done.

Cory

Lovely initial work Rob. I am jealous, none of my trees can be pried out of the ground yet Getting the bonsai itch pretty badly.

You're right, san jose foliage is a pain, but this tree has a nice basic structure and is worth hanging on to.

Are you planning on shortening the apex? I see a more compact tree within your current design.



Thank you for sharing.

Thank you very much misfit11...I think it is the swooping branches that makes it have that natural look.

Thank you amkhalid.. Normally, you would absolutely be correct about the apex. However, there are some issues that are not visible in the picture. The small tuft of foliage that is making up the the very top of the apex, is still very young. There is really not much to cut. I did reduce it a bit, but I think that anymore, given the san jose foliage, might not be a good idea at this time. There is also a space right in the center of the current apex that is also not visible in the picture. What I might do is grow that little spot out and create a small apex there. Then, create more of a space in between the branches on the top left and right branches. So depending on how the tree grows, it may get a whole new apex in the future. Sometimes I like to let the tree grow and make up it's own mind. Then I restyle according to the new options.

I think your off to a good start with this San Jose.

Here is some food for thought.



Cheers,
Paul

Nice start to a great tree in the future. Looks like an infamous Muranaka green pot......

It really is a first rate piece of work. I would suggest leaving it alone now for at least a year.

Smoke said:

Nice start to a great tree in the future. Looks like an infamous Muranaka green pot......

Click to expand...

Can you expand on that last part? I don't understand.

Jason said:

Can you expand on that last part? I don't understand.

Click to expand...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/mbn1978/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984

Hello pjkatich, I like your pot virt.. Actually, caught me by surprise how nice the tree looks in the pot. I have not really begun to think about pots yet. Originally, I was going to go with a smooth edge, rugged rectangular pot.. You know the line of thinking, powerful, old trunk, rugged pot etc.. However, after seeing your virt, I think there are many new and original ideas that should be considered. Thank you for the virt.

Hello Smoke...Thank you very much. I take your compliment heavilly because I know that you speak with honesty as far as critiques and pull no punches. Thank you..and yes, although the main structure is in place, this tree needs ramification almost starting from the beginning. A long road that I hope will yield beautiful results.

Hello Vance, I would like to thank you for all your input over the years. You probably haven't thought about, but you have been commenting on my postings for about 6-7 years plus now.. Always with very helpful and preventative advice. Being the bonsai veteran that you are, your compliments on my expanding work with bonsai really mean alot. Also, I will be leaving this tree alone, with the exception of just slip potting the tree into a larger grow pot in the next month or so. Also, I will probably just let the tree grow out and get strong and then cut back with scissors. I find that sometimes after the first styling, letting the tree grow like crazy and then cutting back to the orignal style, yields a very strong and happy tree. I don't think I'll be doing much pinching on this tree until after a couple of years...Thanks again.

Hello Brian and Jason.. I wondered the same thing...

Rob

Nice tree !!!

Here is an update. After the styling 1 1/2 years ago, the tree was put in a grow pot to recover. When the tree was taken out of the green pot, there were hardly any roots. I was amazed that this tree was even alive. I removed the wire in early summer and let it grow untouched, with the exception of cleaning some of the interior. When I got in there recently, I was happy with the health, but my design was barely evident. So, it's almost back to square one with this tree. The plan now is to let it grow out again, but not as much. Also, the apex looks wider than it actually is. I will let that grow and cut back appropriately. There is actually not much apex to cut back in it's current state.

Here is a before and after.

Rob

More good work!Thanks for sharing the progression. Do you have any bad trees? lol

This is all juvenile foliage correct? Not to derail, but it was pointed out to me in my San jose thread that I likely have a prostrata. The foliage on yours does look somewhat like the juvenile foliage on mine. I posted a pic on it when i tried to see how far I could bend it not too long ago. I wish it grew in as thick as yours has...

Nice tree, and looks really healthy...especially considering it had no roots when repotted!

Chris

It's looking great Rob. Maybe I'll see it in person one of these days.

Nybonsai12 said:

More good work!Thanks for sharing the progression. Do you have any bad trees? lol

This is all juvenile foliage correct? Not to derail, but it was pointed out to me in my San jose thread that I likely have a prostrata. The foliage on yours does look somewhat like the juvenile foliage on mine. I posted a pic on it when i tried to see how far I could bend it not too long ago. I wish it grew in as thick as yours has...

Click to expand...

Thank you.. Yes, it is all juvenile foliage. I don't mind that as long as I can keep the growth tight and compact. Also, you think you have a prostrata? Their foliage can get pretty leggy.

Over the last 6 years or so, I have downsized my collection. I only work with trees that have good potential now. It makes things more fun and rewarding.

Recently, I changed my fertilizing regimen. I have stopped using green dream. I used to use mostly green dream. Once in a while, I would use saltwater farms fish and seaweed. From what I was noticed, now mind you, this was not an experiment, just my observations... I was not getting the growth and in somecases health, especially with the junipers, by using mostly green dream. About 7-8 weeks ago, I switched to only using salt water farms fish and seaweed. Now it could be a coincidence. However, everything started to grow and just look better. Don't know if it is a coicidence. However there is a definite improvement.

Rob

coh said:

Nice tree, and looks really healthy...especially considering it had no roots when repotted!

Chris

Click to expand...

Thanks Chris.. Ya, I thin kthere were like 8-10 straggly thin roots. Also, they were only on one side.

Rob

AboveBeyond said:

It's looking great Rob. Maybe I'll see it in person one of these days.

Click to expand...

Thanks, you just might.

Rob

I really like the shari you added. Are those placed artistically or did the tree tell you where they could be added?

Also, exceptional bark. Ever tempted to pick at it?

berobinson82 said:

I really like the shari you added. Are those placed artistically or did the tree tell you where they could be added?

Also, exceptional bark. Ever tempted to pick at it?

Click to expand...

Thank you.. Very good question. Last year, I did some virts of different shari. I did one in the middle going up the tree and this one that sort of spirals. I liked the spiral one so that was the plan I have had since last year. Unfortunately, this was made from mostly live tissue. I was a little hesitant to do as much as I did. However, there should be more than enough to supply the tree with what it needs. If anything, I think I would be more worried about the stripping down of the foliage.

I still need to lime sulfur the deadwood. Also, in a few years, when the vein swells, it should look more natural. I thought that having this spiral shari will really make this a better future bonsai. Thats what its all about. Making our trees the best they can be within the confines of keeping them healthy.

p.s. As far as the bark, not tempted yet. Maybe down the road when the tree is in the refinement stage.

Rob