1st time Bonsai from raw material dont laugh!

[Jinjihan]

Hi all I thought I would share my first attempt at bonsai creation from raw material.
I selected a juniperus rigida for a small fee of £10 sterling, and spent a few more quid on some other lovely trees I will post snaps of them elsewhere. Any feedback welcome good or bad thankyou for looking!

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Not bad! I'd suggest you wire the branches more downward though, to get that aged kind of look.

 

[Jinjihan]

Like a droopy swoopy type configuration? I have just looked at some trees for reference and i think i know what you mean. I will keep you posted. Thanks!

 

[october]

I like what you have done here.. Here are a couple of virts to demonstrate what Ryan was talking about. Also, if you feel daring, you could wire and put some curves in the trunk, like the second virt.

Rob

 

[TheSteve]

Like a droopy swoopy type configuration?

Is this a new technical term??? I really need to keep pace with the lingo. sigh

 

[Paulpash]

When learning how to style trees it's useful to try and apply a few 'rules' the first few times. Once you have more experience you can start to bend them and still produce a quality tree.

#1 nebari (root spread) is important. Gently scrape away surface soil til you find the woody roots. You want them radiating from the base like the spokes of a wheel. The beginnings of what you are aiming for can be found at the bottom of this page: http://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATNebari.html.

#2 decide on the height of the tree. A good ratio to go by is the height should be approximately 6 times the diameter of the trunk. The first branch should be around a third of the height of the tree.

#3 find the most interesting trunk line for the best 'front'. Get in on a turntable, spin it around, tilt it (a set of wedges of various thicknesses really helps). Remember that branches can be used as a means of adding both taper and changes in direction.

#4 avoid bar branches. A good article to read for branch formation is

http://andyrutledge.com/book/contents/towardart.htm

Good luck

 

[Paradox]

I think youve got a good start there! The only way to learn is to do. Like others above said, now go for some training/styling and youre off to a good start with that one.

 

[Jinjihan]

Here is a snap of the nebari seems pretty good and I have wired the branches downwards but not yet taken a new
picture.....

 

[jkd2572]

I like your start. Like the reply above, the most important thing in learning is to do. Read my signature. I would over bend the limbs down. When the wire comes off they will bend back up a bit

 

[Jinjihan]

Here he is in New configuration and branches wired downwards I'm going to leave it now for a couple of years and see what happens hopefully have a beautiful bonsai!

 

[october]

Off to a good start.. Now, just let it grow for the next year. Meanwhile learn about pruning and the 5 styles of bonsai. Maybe join a club or find a good teacher. This way, next Spring, you will be able to prune with a little more confidence. Pruning is extremely important. If pruning is done incorrectly, it can ruin the style of the tree and even worse, kill off ections of the tree.. Good luck.

Rob