Oh no, not another DAS!

[RJG2]

Let's go on a journey...

Early 2020, and I've just started considering doing bonsai more seriously (I had a couple false starts in the few years prior).

Hey look, I bet that spruce - which was in a red pot we used as a Christmas tree a few years ago - would be good!



A couple months later (April 2020), and we start digging... No one told me DAS were horrible - especially if you didn't have the patience to continuously wire...





A year later in 2021 (October apparently), I decided it was time to try styling it a bit.

Thanks, I hate it...

Probably due to lack of interior greenery, and being too lazy to detail wire anything.



And that's how it sat for two more years, while the foliage slowly drifted back up to vertical. I guess at once point I jinned the top as well.

But in September of 2023 I decided to try something different...





And so it sat for a couple more years...

Until last week. Figured I should try and do something with it or clear it off the bench.

And here we are now:



Thanks, I don't hate it as much.

You'll live to see another day (also, I need to get a decent backdrop for photos...).

I have a couple ideas for a natural looking cement slabby thing.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Very interesting idea to completely turn it horizontal. Actually a great idea.. I wonder...



Youd have to guy wire and heavily wire that first primary branch down to compact...

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Is it looking kind of weak now? Maybe let it gather some steam first?

 

[shohin_branches]

Spruce are good trees for people who love detail wiring.

 

[RJG2]

Is it looking kind of weak now? Maybe let it gather some steam first?

Thanks for the concern. It was strong before I removed 80% of the foliage. If it lives, cool; if it dies, also fine.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Thanks for the concern. It was strong before I removed 80% of the foliage. If it lives, cool; if it dies, also fine.

Ok, I got you.. Sept 2023 you repotted to the angle, and you just now did a 80% cut back.. I think you are distributing the work well.
I’ve only a couple kills of DAS, but I am pulling for you.
I also like @Orion_metalhead ’s idea of taking your design a step further back to the first and maybe second branches.. in another few years. Having a straight Jin would add some narrative to the tenacious wind toppled spruce.

 

[houterig]

Smart idea with that planting angle, those branches are a pain to get down (and stay down).

 

[Orion_metalhead]

You actually have me looking for a straight ass conifer now btw. Hahaha

 

[RozendaalArts]

Nice, could be interesting as a kind of raft style forest, but Orion's idea is interesting too, I'm just not sure how natural the deadwood would look that way