Thanks Vance.
This is the tree you gave to me once at a show to style when I was in need of material to style for the passerbys. Later you surprised me by telling me I could keep it. I still don't know if the gift was from the heart or because I screwed it up so bad that you didn't want it on your bench....either way it was appreciated.
Will
Pot suggestions? Does this one work?
Pot suggestions? QUOTE]
I like the Columbian stuff best ! Nice tree by the way.
Harry
Will,
How long have you been into bonsai? I myself am new, so take what I say in stride... First this tree needs to be in the GROUND. The bark is not nearly aged enough to give the literati impression you are attempting to convey. Second, literati should never be a last resort, and it seems that this may be the case. A cardinal rule is to start with better stock with features that will make a nice specimen one day. If it were mine it would go in the garden, and I would look for something with a little more potential (yamadori or nursery) in ten years, you'll be glad you did.
If you insist on keeping it potted, one of Dale's is the way to go.
Well, It would give this tree a chance to develop with minimal effort from the grower. This would allow for more time to be devoted to the nicer/more developed stock in the collection. Now that a general shape has been set, just put it out and let it go, and provide basic species specific pruning to promote back budding for future options. In that small pot, imagine how much care it will need over the next 15-20 years it spends waiting to be a bonsai.
Maybe after 5-10 in the ground it will be fantastic, or it will have presented many new options other than what was originally considered. Either way, I say put it in the ground and look for something a bit further along if you want it in a bonsai pot.
-David