Quick Coastal Redwood Progression

[Brian Underwood]

This redwood was bought in July of 09 from Mendocino Coast Bonsai. The first picture was August 09, the second February 2010, and the last is from this month. It has been a very fast progression so far, and I am actually finding it hard to keep up with. The branches are starting to thicken and really take shape, and the needles are starting to turn a dark green and harden. I potted it in a Jim Gremel Namban which I think is appropriate, but not entirely sure. It is still pretty scraggly, but hopefully it will fill out and look nicer next year. Enjoy!

 

[october]

Wow... I guess you were not kidding that they had some nice pre material. I did check out the medocino site and was very impressed...as I am with this material you are working on...

Very nice job picking a front.. Nice natural taper.. Just what you would want in a redwood..not too curvy, but very subtle with a rugged, strong presence. Also, nice branch selection so far..


Rob

 

[october]

p.s. the pot is a very nice pot and probably good for health reasons at this juncture.. This pot will give the root ball a 360 degree spread in which to grow some new, healthy, fobrous roots...and since it is in the stage of training where it needs to grow the most, this was a good option...

For the final pot, you may want to go with a more rectangular shape pot. Generally, thick trunked, old and stong informal uprights are put into rectangular pots for their final pot... but, that is a guideline and it is really what looks the best in the end. So, in about 2 years, when everything is in place, that would be the time for a final pot decision. Again though, I think this pot was a good choice for the necessary growth of the tree.

Rob

 

[Klytus]

I like the leafy aesthetic of the first and the lumpy and misshapen accentuation of the third,combining the two to create an opposite of the second image would indeed be nice.

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thank you Rob! Its always nice to hear I'm doing something right. I'm sure I will find a new more suitable pot when the time comes. I am going to post a new thread in the vendor section about Mendocino Coast Bonsai for ya.

 

[Brian Underwood]

New pot for Coastal Redwood

Well, the redwood is coming along incredibly well and I hope to show it in REBS this year. I bought a new Sara Rayner pot and repotted the tree a few weeks ago. Now it will be a matter of hitting it hard with the fertilizer, and pruning back to smaller buds. Enjoy!

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

That pot fits perfectly with that tree! Very nice work, Brian.

 

[Brian Underwood]

The tree is really filling in nicely now, and I have been pinching new growth in preparation for the show in August. It is about time for a re-wire this Saturday, at which time I will do a small amount of detail carving on the chops to make it look a little more natural. In the last photo I tried to show the see-through in the trunk, but with the black background it gets a little lost, but you get the idea. If all goes well, I will have my very first show tree, styled by me from beginning to end. Exciting!

 

[Brian Underwood]

Also, thanks Axxon!

 

[Zach Smith]

The tree is really filling in nicely now, and I have been pinching new growth in preparation for the show in August. It is about time for a re-wire this Saturday, at which time I will do a small amount of detail carving on the chops to make it look a little more natural. In the last photo I tried to show the see-through in the trunk, but with the black background it gets a little lost, but you get the idea. If all goes well, I will have my very first show tree, styled by me from beginning to end. Exciting!

Beautiful tree, Brian. Great work!

Zach

 

[october]

Outstanding redwood Brian.. It is beautiful...

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks Zach and Rob! I have actually been asked to write an article on this tree for Golden Statements July/August issue, along with back information on myself as a relative newbie/youngster in the bonsai world, and information on the tree's preparations for the upcoming REBS show. I'm a little nervous about it, so perhaps I'll post it on Bonsai Nut for critique first...

 

[october]

Hello Brian,
Don't be nervous ...You have a beautiful tree and have done a great job with it..Anyone would he happy to have that redwood on their bonsai tables. I know I would.

 

[Brian Underwood]

Thanks Rob

A little haircut, and a few more wires...