New Boug--comments welcome!

[daniel]

Hey all,

Did some initial styling on a boug I bought from a local dealer recently and found that it had a dead/rotten center and I hollowed it out (not much work). The result is a really cool boug, I thought. Hopefully you can see it from the pics. I've done some initial wiring and cutting of branches, nothing major. I appreciate any comments. Thanks!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Daniel;

Think about your final design first, and then work towards that design. What do you want this bonsai to look like when complete?

I think you will want to work on a couple of things. First, you do not have a clear apex - in fact, there are two branches that are competing for priority. You will want to decide on your apex and then reduce any other branches that come close to the same height. Additionally, you will want to eliminate any branches that grow vertically (except for the branch that leads to your apex, which becomes your new trunk line). You also want to reduce all branches so that they start to suggest the final outline of the tree that you have planned. Here is a quick virtual of what I would do if this were my tree today:

 

[HotAction]

Daniel, first of all, your bio doesn't seem to have a location, and that will help Us give you advice. Secondly, I hope you have a yard, because even though this may make a nice landscape tree, it will never be a good bonsai. Not trying to be rude, just one noob, tryin' to save another some time and effort. But, even if you are determined to make it a bonsai, the yard is the best place for it anyhow. So, put it in the ground and put your effort into other projects.

-Dave

 

[daniel]

Daniel, first of all, your bio doesn't seem to have a location, and that will help Us give you advice. Secondly, I hope you have a yard, because even though this may make a nice landscape tree, it will never be a good bonsai. Not trying to be rude, just one noob, tryin' to save another some time and effort. But, even if you are determined to make it a bonsai, the yard is the best place for it anyhow. So, put it in the ground and put your effort into other projects.

-Dave

Why do you say "it will never be a good bonsai"? I said it was an initial styling. I know there is a lot more to be reduced on it, but I didn't want to go chopping on it until I had a review or two from someone more seasoned than myself. There probably are a thousand, heck a million better examples of a bonsai, but isn't beauty in the eye of the beholder? In terms of art, I am a painter, not a collector. I don't just go out and buy stuff already finished (or close). I like to transform or make it myself. If I don't see some potential in it, then I won't buy it. What I'm getting at is please watch your assumptions. Also, if you're going to make a blanket statement such as the above, then back it up with your reasons why. Remember, you're stating this after seeing two not-so-good pictures of a tree, not even from all angles.

I do realize that there is more than one vertical branch competing right now. I wanted to see how it grew, as the time in the store was a bit stressing to it. I was going to let it recover for a month or so and then have at it with the cutters! Thanks for the thoughts. I appreciate your input!

 

[irene_b]

I suggest just letting it run free for a year. A well fed Bougie and freedom will produce faster results than trimming for now.
Bougies bud back very well on old wood and in a year you should see a lot of new buds/branches forming to choose from, then will be the time to pick and choose where you want branches to be.
Irene

 

[daniel]

Thanks, Irene. That's what I had planned to do. I realize it's not a "beautiful" tree as it is, but in time it may be to others, but I'm pretty convinced it will be to me.

 

[agraham]

I thought you wrote "new bong".

Good start on this little guy.There's no reason to think that it won't make a nice bonsai with the passage of time and good care.I like what you've done so far.

Andy