Bonsai Before or after - All material is good material thread

[leatherback]

I thought it was time to have some before-after examples. As an inspiration.

Lets see those first stylings, the 10 year developments and stump-to-bonsai conversions.

 

[leatherback]

As a starter..

Larix, started in november 2016, till now

 

[Cadillactaste]

Ryusen maple decimated winter 2013-14 by arctic winter. Chopped at red line.


Allowed to recover...and just grow out. Didn't take it seriously.

Image of spring 2021

 

[Cadillactaste]

2014...and current 2021 spring image. From a short tree to literati. Won a deciduous native New England tree contest this year too. Virginia Creeper.

 

[Ruddigger]

Here’s a nursery stock transformation, 1.5 years of progress inbetween.

 

[Cadillactaste]

2015 pink pixie bougainvillea...


...my bougainvillea also is on the British Bonsai group as their banner image. *I am a member there. But also cool to have the honor. To have validation...many told me not to buy this material. But it has come full circle.

 

[VAFisher]

Earliest pic I have of this Chinzan azalea is from 2016, which means I probably bought it in 2015. I wish I had a pic before any work.



2021

 

[Hartinez]

@VAFisher im constantly forgetting to take a raw stock photo.
1 year

 

[Hartinez]

@Brian Van Fleet has some of the most drastic transformations I’ve seen on this site. Maybe you’d be down to share a few before and after a on this thread Brian?

 

[Joe Dupre']

Chinese privet. Collected Jan. 17 of this year.......so ... 5 months of growth.

 

[VAFisher]

@VAFisher im constantly forgetting to take a raw stock photo.
1 year

View attachment 383403View attachment 383404

Impressive for one year.

I pulled a little winged elm volunteer out of the flower bed in 2016.



2021

 

[Hartinez]

2017

2020




This tree had some significant die back this spring from undetected winter storage spider mites. Will need a drastic restyle once it gains steam

 

[Hartinez]

2018

2021

 

[Cadillactaste]

Though...I disagree with the title. Sorry...not all trees need to be bonsai. I say that with tongue in cheek. Because we all have a different eye for a finished tree. But I still stand on not all should be bonsai. I try to find some character that draws me in. The ryusen way above...only because of the sentimental meaning...did I try and save it. That Bill Valavanis likes it...pretty cool...among a few others I also respect.

The detested Olive by some. [2018]

 

[penumbra]

From a turd with legs ......... to a turd with legs & leaves.............

 

[Cadillactaste]

From a turd with legs ......... to a turd with legs & leaves.............

Or as Adair called it. Bog Monster...

 

[Ruddigger]

Here’s another one, a Rosemary from nursery stock. 1.5 years

 

[VAFisher]

Time can do nice things to crappy material. Water Elm cuttings from 2017.



Water Elm cuttings in 2021.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Goji berry

 

[VAFisher]

20016



2021