Seeking advice
- Thread starter marcusboring
- Start date
marcusboring
Seed
Please don’t judge my back yard. That’s a different story.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
I'm not familiar with this species so I can't really advise you.
However, the 2 trunks kind of contradict each other. One is curved nicely and the other is very straight
However, the 2 trunks kind of contradict each other. One is curved nicely and the other is very straight
River's Edge
Imperial Masterpiece
Welcome! New to the forum and site! Perhaps you would fill in your information, location and climatic zone . This would allow those who live in a similar climate and have this particular species to respond and share their insights.The species is known for its fragrant sap but iI have not seen it displayed as a Bonsai personally. Do you have any pictures of the species as a. Bonsiai that have appealed to you?
Common names appear to be " Frankincense of the Americas and or Elephant Tree"
WaywardSol
Seedling
Well ultimately, if you are happy with it that's what counts. It's your tree and your art, some folk will like it along with you and some folk wont. So do what makes you happy with it, and any suggestions take them as just that to improve what you want out of the tree, not what anyone says it "should" be.
That said, you asked what you should do, so onto the since you asked portion of the post
. I personally I see two big issues. One, the fat trunk both has inverse taper and doesn't look very appealing in general. Secondly, I don't think the two play very well together and the composition doesn't invoke any particularly pleasant mental images for me. So if it somehow found itself on my bench tomorrow step one would be to remove the fat trunk entirely. The top half of it isn't bad though, and I'd have to look into how well it works with this species, but I might let it stay long enough to air layer the top half off for a seperate tree. From there I'd examine the potential on the slender one from different angles, but based solely on the picture I would go for the look of a leaning and windswept tree.
That said, you asked what you should do, so onto the since you asked portion of the post
. I personally I see two big issues. One, the fat trunk both has inverse taper and doesn't look very appealing in general. Secondly, I don't think the two play very well together and the composition doesn't invoke any particularly pleasant mental images for me. So if it somehow found itself on my bench tomorrow step one would be to remove the fat trunk entirely. The top half of it isn't bad though, and I'd have to look into how well it works with this species, but I might let it stay long enough to air layer the top half off for a seperate tree. From there I'd examine the potential on the slender one from different angles, but based solely on the picture I would go for the look of a leaning and windswept tree.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
It needs "more?" More what? It's an odd species (and a succulent) and it's never going to conform to traditional bonsai parameters. Maybe a different pot?
Personally, I'd think about separating the two plants. They don't really go together visually. They're conflicted. The one on the left grows up and into the movement of the other. But if you separate them, you lose half the foliage.
Personally, I'd think about separating the two plants. They don't really go together visually. They're conflicted. The one on the left grows up and into the movement of the other. But if you separate them, you lose half the foliage.
Joelshack2362
Shohin
Congrats on keeping it alive for 25 years.
marcusboring
Seed
Thank you all for the advice. I’m seeing all of your points. I think separating them is going to happen. It’ll probably take a couple years for the foliage to fill in but that the fun for me is watching it slowly happen.
WaywardSol
Seedling
Watching things grow back in after a restyle is all part of the process
