Semi cascade to literati

[Fishtank307]

Got this little shimpaku last year. When I bought it, it wasn't in very good shape. Very pot bound, lots of yellow foliage. I repotted it last summer and nursed it back to health. The branches are getting a bit leggy. I just cleaned it it up a bit, opening the canopy to get some more light and air in.
I'm also thinking about changing the design. I like it as it is, but it could be more 'dramatic'. Maybe I'll air layer it where the trunk splits and make a (sort of) shohin literati out of it.



Back branch (the one going to the right in this picture) is very long...


I could prune it like this:


And then tilt it like this:

 

[penumbra]

Great plant with lots of potential.

 

[Paradox]

I think the current angle is really nice.

If it were mine Id keep it close to that but put it into a cresent pot, something like this :

Unglazed Bonsai Pots

bonsai pots are perfect for creating a customized look for your bonsai tree or repotting if your bonsai has outgrown its current pot.

www.easternleaf.com

 

[Cadillactaste]

I think the current angle is really nice.

If it were mine Id keep it close to that but put it into a cresent pot, something like this :

Unglazed Bonsai Pots

bonsai pots are perfect for creating a customized look for your bonsai tree or repotting if your bonsai has outgrown its current pot.

www.easternleaf.com

TOTALLY AGREE! I think a crescent pot will just add to the vision of where this tree already is at. Telling a much better story.

 

[Pitoon]

I agree with @penumbra a lot of options to take here. I do think it would look better in a smaller pot, maybe a drum?

 

[Fishtank307]

I agree with @penumbra a lot of options to take here. I do think it would look better in a smaller pot, maybe a drum?

A smaller, round pot came to my mind as well... Drum or nanban even. But since it was in poor shape last year, I figured it needed some space to reinvigorate.

 

[Fishtank307]

@Paradox @Cadillactaste I'm still on the fence! I like the current design, but I think that in the long run I'd like to 'simplify' and compact it. You can't really tell from the picture, but there's alot of canopy for such a slender trunk. Besides, the bark is absolutely stunning! So imo too much canopy detracts from the appearance of age in the bark.
I also kinda like the second to last photo; drastic pruning (/airlayering), but keeping the current angle

 

[Paradox]

@Paradox @Cadillactaste I'm still on the fence! I like the current design, but I think that in the long run I'd like to 'simplify' and compact it. You can't really tell from the picture, but there's alot of canopy for such a slender trunk. Besides, the bark is absolutely stunning! So imo too much canopy detracts from the appearance of age in the bark.
I also kinda like the second to last photo; drastic pruning (/airlayering), but keeping the current angle

you can still prune that branch with keeping it at same angle as suggested. I would actually jin it rather than remove it altogether

 

[Endoftown]

I like it I have a pine that is like this.

 

[sorce]

I think this is more, a very valuable base, than much potential.

I think it is absolutely critical to use that DW line with the Jin Right.

I think I'd try to keep all foilage doing it, cuz your first attempt to compact it enough may crack.

Even with your angle change, that jin is going to make a closed form with the bottom lip of the crescent. That's gonna look meh, plus crescent pots are played out.

@Tidal Bonsai got his grafted.

That base is definitely worth sparing no expense.

Sorce

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I think this is more, a very valuable base, than much potential.

I think it is absolutely critical to use that DW line with the Jin Right.

I think I'd try to keep all foilage doing it, cuz your first attempt to compact it enough may crack.

Even with your angle change, that jin is going to make a closed form with the bottom lip of the crescent. That's gonna look meh, plus crescent pots are played out.

@Tidal Bonsai got his grafted.

That base is definitely worth sparing no expense.

Sorce

huh?

 

[sorce]

huh?

You shimp graft! I think he should apply every kind of magic possible to accent that DW jin line.

I feel like changing the top before considering leaving it alone for grafting health would be a better use of time. If, when design sacrifices health, grafting is put off. Then you fail grafting, then you succeed.

I'd rather just jump to the failing grafts to get it right and move on.

It's near a damn shame because the movement is so pimp, but the base is too wide for a convincing literati. Maybe try to hold on to some of that movement with the layer off after the grafts take.

Pretty sure a crescent will work against, at least until the base is tilted aesthetically unpleasantly and horticulturally dangerously. Then the entire effect of the cascade is lost anyhow.

If you commissioned a crescent with the bottom lip also flowing down....bingo.

Like a Slab from... That dude from..ah..killing it with the rock texture slabs.

Sorce

 

[Bu-Jetjet]

@Paradox @Cadillactaste I'm still on the fence! I like the current design, but I think that in the long run I'd like to 'simplify' and compact it. You can't really tell from the picture, but there's alot of canopy for such a slender trunk. Besides, the bark is absolutely stunning! So imo too much canopy detracts from the appearance of age in the bark.
I also kinda like the second to last photo; drastic pruning (/airlayering), but keeping the current angle

Great tree, and all in all, great suggestions!

I just wanted to add something regarding the bark. I would typically agree with this because most of my trees are pines and their bark shows their age... However, for junipers I believe it's the opposite. I was told that the bark allows spider mites and other insects to have a place to inhabit. Also, smoothing and cleaning the bark will allow you to see the live vein and accent its age much earlier - similar to ancient junipers in the wild where they are constantly sandblasted by the wind.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Got it now! Not sure what the weather is like in Belgium, but people typically Scion graft in Fall or late winter. The important thing is protection from frost! I have put some tips from my own success on another thread.

 

[sorce]

Thanks for the ......

Jinspiration!




Sorce

 

[Pitoon]

Thanks for the ......

Jinspiration!

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Sorce

Nice! I see your sketch in the notebook. How do you plan to fire this one, setting it on kiln posts when you fire?

 

[leatherback]

Get it back to full health first. Do not layer and make this a literati. Then better trade it. This is a nice little tree which with a little work can really come to shine.

 

[sorce]

Nice! I see your sketch in the notebook. How do you plan to fire this one, setting it on kiln posts when you fire?

I just noticed my highly intricate sketch and wondered if it made the photo! Nice that you also spied it already!

Shrink could make a post fall, so I'll hang it over the edge of a shelf.

If .....

Sorce

 

[Paradox]

@sorce, I have a feeling that soil will spill right out the bottom end of that pot

 

[Fishtank307]

Thanks for the ......

Jinspiration!

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Sorce

So.. Any chance of selling that pot and shipping it to Belgium?