Cedrus atlantica

[Nybonsai12]

Figured I would start a thread on this one. Not much going on in the near future other than a repot at the end of January as it is root bound. Comments thoughts welcome.

 

[PaulH]

Is this an Australian tree?

 

[Nybonsai12]

As in is the species from Australia or did I get it from Australia? I did not get this from Australia. As for the origin of the species I do not know.

 

[PaulH]

I was kidding because your photos are upside down....

 

[Nybonsai12]

Haha. Right over my head. I'm not used to jokers on this forum. I keep trying to change the photos but each time they upload upside down.

 

[october]

Hello Nybonsai12..As is, you will be in for a decade or so before this can become a nice bonsai. However, wrapping the trunk with rafia and or tape to protect it and putting some drastic bends in it, would probably make a nice tree within 4-5 years. Here are a few virts showing different styling options.

One warning, sometimes these trees do not like to be chopped. However, in the virts provided, with the exception of one, there really isn't much chopping.

Rob

 

[nathanbs]

that's definitely a full cascade as it is well beneath the base of the pot

 

[bonsaibp]

Figured I would start a thread on this one. Not much going on in the near future other than a repot at the end of January as it is root bound. Comments thoughts welcome.

I'd wait a bit later then the end of January to re-pot maybe more like mid March, early April.
They don't like root work too early. With some raffia and heavy wire and maybe a piece of rebar you could bend that any way you want just about.

 

[Nybonsai12]

Thanks for the replies. Not sure which direction I want to take this one yet. I appreciate the virts very much october. I will probably just repot, get it good and healthy and think about it for a while. I'm in no rush.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'd wait a bit later then the end of January to re-pot maybe more like mid March, early April.
They don't like root work too early. With some raffia and heavy wire and maybe a piece of rebar you could bend that any way you want just about.

BP,
Just out of curiousty, how long after a repot would you wait to do that kind of work? Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the tree to wait a year as the repot would be considered enough disruption? Thanks for the advice.

 

[bonsaibp]

BP,
Just out of curiousty, how long after a repot would you wait to do that kind of work? Wouldn't it be in the best interest of the tree to wait a year as the repot would be considered enough disruption? Thanks for the advice.

I would do the bending stuff first, then re-pot. If you re-pot first then you will need to wait as the work will be tough on a newly potted tree. You could do the bending anytime then re-pot mid-late spring.

 

[Nybonsai12]

I would do the bending stuff first, then re-pot. If you re-pot first then you will need to wait as the work will be tough on a newly potted tree. You could do the bending anytime then re-pot mid-late spring.

Thanks,
i kind of see this as a semi-cascade, but I fear I may be making a rookie mistake. When I see it I just want to bend it down! Trying to find space to fit in wire and raffia is not going to be an easy task.

 

[bonsaibp]

First you'll need to choose the branches to be kept and remove the rest-that'll give you room to work. This http://bonsaibpsbonsaiblog-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-big-bend.html may be helpfull as well.

 

[Nybonsai12]

First you'll need to choose the branches to be kept and remove the rest-that'll give you room to work. This http://bonsaibpsbonsaiblog-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-big-bend.html may be helpfull as well.

Thanks BP, you're the man!
Would love to hear your opinion on what direction YOU would take this tree.

 

[Vance Wood]

As the tree is now all you have is one branch. That one branch may be your new trunk line but it would probably be a good idea to let it develop some secondary branching before you start throwing wire on it. I am not sure if the coloring I see is factual or the result of the time of year or what, but it does not look real healthy and may not survive too aggressive a treatment beyond repotting into a better growing medium and environment. I would go there first, get the tree grown vigorously and happy for a year then think about wiring it. As it is now you are going to be trying to design an air bonsai.

 

[Nybonsai12]

As the tree is now all you have is one branch. That one branch may be your new trunk line but it would probably be a good idea to let it develop some secondary branching before you start throwing wire on it. I am not sure if the coloring I see is factual or the result of the time of year or what, but it does not look real healthy and may not survive too aggressive a treatment beyond repotting into a better growing medium and environment. I would go there first, get the tree grown vigorously and happy for a year then think about wiring it. As it is now you are going to be trying to design an air bonsai.

Thanks Vance, the tree is healthy. It's the golden variety which would explain the coloring.

 

[bonsaibp]

If the tree is not in good health then I agree with Vance wholeheartedly. The tree needs to be in good health to take the stress of wiring and bending. If it is healthty than I see nothing wrong with getting the trunk bent and then letting it grow out and develop branching after repotting. The health of the tree has to be the first consideration. I sometimes tend to push thiings a bit, but I still make sure the tree is healthty enough to take it.
As to what I would do with it- probably put some movement in the trunk, repot and let it grow unchecked for a year or two.

 

[Nybonsai12]

When you say put movement in the trunk I assume you are referring to the branch and not the lower portion? Also, I meant what style tree you would go for? The reason i ask is because I respect your opinion as you have helped me in another forum in the past. Thanks again.

 

[bonsaibp]

Yes the branch which is basicly your trunk line. Probably a full cascade- but design from photo's is not a strong point for me.

 

[Vance Wood]

What would be wrong with letting this "one" branch ( that really is all you have) develop some secondary branching for a couple of years and see where the tree wants to go, as opposed to trying the cookie cutter technique of choosing an arbitrary style and trying to make the tree conform to it?--- Just asking? We always council people about patience and then turn around and suggest instant options that may or may not be of value and lose the tree in the process. I have a rule of thumb that has over the years proved itself to be self evident: A good cascade is very difficult to achieve, a lousy one can be found in most compost piles across the bonsai community. With all due respects if your only option appears to be a cascade you're not looking close enough, or you only have one branch------like this one.