second chance

[sam]

I recently acquired 7 bougainvillea that'd been rough styled and potted in 2011, then seriously neglected. the grower had let the trees go to the point where they were very weak, suffering from a multitude of problems- not the least of which was rampant rot . sharing some pictures of a rescue of one such tree . the first picture show the size of the original trunk, nearly as large as a man's thigh. the next three shots show how extensive the rot was. as more and more of the trunk disappeared, there was cause to wonder if there'd be anything left by the time solid wood was found. the fifth picture taken at dark, shows what is left. note that the deadwood is gone- changing the tree's future. the original supine attitude becomes a future bunjin-ji.

best wishes, sam

 

[sam]

the next day

today the project continued. the tree was pruned and planted as a bunjin in a celedon green pot with a cherry blossom design. the tree has a way to go to become bonsai. the planting angle needs to be improved, branches selected/eliminated and wired. the lower trunk needs refinement and more. rather than continue to fuss with an already weak tree, the choice is to let it recover and get healthy again.

done for now, with a brighter future ahead.

best wishes, sam

 

[Ryan820]

That is a BIG plant! Can't wait to see where you go with this one. Nice save!

 

[fourteener]

As long as there is a live vein left, there is a story to tell. Gonna be a dramatic story!!

You can't make new stock look like legit old stock. The combining of the old gnarly wood and a tree that flowers is a great combo.

 

[sam]

from the same batch

tackled another of the seven neglected bougainvillea today. the trunk on this one is solid - little to no rot. the tree had been planted haphazardly in a leaning attitude, which really didn't suit the material. sort of han kengai style but not really. the tree was moved around a lot, propped straight up, leaned way down as a cascade, and everything in between. the challenge was to find a new planting angle that best used the shape of the trunk and the wild growing branches. the best look resulted when a 2 X 4 was propped under the pot. once the trunk angle was decided, branches were removed, others pruned and wired for the future design. pictures #1 & #2 show both sides, #3 shows the best front with the pot propped up with a brick. the up angle is too abrupt. #4 the angle with the 2 X 4. branch pruning started. #5 the canopy is noticeably thinner.

 

[sam]

sharing a few more pictures where today's work ended. looks pretty naked, but the groundwork has been laid for a better future

best wishes, sam

 

[Poink88]

Sam.

Love the new angle, should display the base to its best.

Did you consider reducing the lower left branch? I know most of the branches are there but since you are rebuilding...I think this is the time to see if reducing that main branch is the way to go.

Removing the snag and tapering the main branch may change the feeling all together actually. That will save all the branches.

Just a suggestion. Thank you.

 

[A Random User]

Thanks for sharing...
Sorry to hear of the amount of rot. But glad that you posted it
So others can see the effects of what deadwood can encounter on
A bougie...
There are some here that think for some strange reason this cannot
Happen, and in essence one can loose a very nice tree.
Glad that you were able to save as much as you could.
I think you will in the end wind up with a very awesome tree.

 

[drew33998]

If anyone knows bougie's, I think it would be you! Great material!

 

[sam]

a tree with a future

best wishes, sam

 

[Ryan820]

Wow that last one is freaking amazing!

 

[iant]

Do you treat the wood after you clean it to prevent rot?
Ian

 

[sam]

Do you treat the wood after you clean it to prevent rot?
Ian

yes. this is a must

best wishes, sam

 

[kirk@localbonsai.com]

Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Maybe some Minwax wood hardener would help.