Spruce yamadori

[davetree]

I treated myself to a nice tree this year. I didn't buy any trees last year, and I am selling 20 or so stock trees to pay for this one. I saw it on Facebook, and couldn't resist. Collected in Colorado by Todd Schlafer, styled by Suthin, and sold to me by Scott Lee.
Blue spruce have always fascinated me, and the chance to own and work on one was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. This tree is about 12 inches tall at the apex not counting the jin, and about 16 inches wide. Trunk is almost 3 inches. The color is a bright blue and the needles are small. The low Jin will be shortened or removed.
I will soon be taking a trip to Sara Rayner's new studio to pick out a pot for this beauty. Any suggestions as to what will go with the needle color ? Or as to the shape ? I am thinking unglazed soft cornered rectangle, but am not sure of the color. Your thoughts ? Thanks.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

This finish/color could be nice if you're going with a Sara Rayner. I wish some of the US potters would slab- or mold-build rectangle pots. I abhor wheel-thrown rectangles.

That tree caught my eye on FB, have fun with it.

 

[davetree]

I agree, it's hard to find slab built rectangles here in the US. I would rather go domestic for the pot, so we will see. I'm going to take the tree into Sara's studio to pick out a good match. She has a reddish clay that looks pretty nice.

 

[davetree]

The bark is old and very fine.

 

[sorce]

The bark is old and very fine.

And them super orange buds!

Nice!

Sorce

 

[BeebsBonsai]

Dasu bonsai has a pretty cool finish, their signature finish in a brown might really complement the thick, scaly bark. If you are looking to buy a Rayner pot, you might see this signature finish as a lower quality, but I saw a few of these finishes in person at the Chicago Botanic Garden Bonsai Show and I have to tell you, it really looks incredible. Grey signature might even work here too. I bought a special sized Grey Signature Finish large rectangle for under 100 dollars for a spring repot of a limber I have. Cannot wait to get it in the mail.

 

[BeebsBonsai]

Or even grey fossil. I don't know what it is about Dasu's work, but I love the dull finish and color, and how that dull finish and color still allows for the intriguing cracked rock look to stand out.

 

[Giga]

very nice spruce - I have a couple and they are a very fun species

 

[M. Frary]

That's kickass!

 

[davetree]

Thanks for your comments. Any ideas on pot color ? I am not sure if gray, tan or red will work best with the needle color. The trunk is pretty gray so I may avoid that.

 

[LanceMac10]

wish some of the US potters would slab- or mold-build rectangle pots.

+1.........I find Rayners to drain poorly. I need to tip these for thorough drainage.




With that low slung deadwood branch, you'll need an "outside the box" container. I see the notch cut out of the current container.

Interesting tree with a unique future, I'd say. Cool beans!!!

 

[petegreg]

I've got one spruce in this pot from a slovak potterin, not a best picture...


BTW, a unique compact spruce you have there.

 

[davetree]

+1.........I find Rayners to drain poorly. I need to tip these for thorough drainage.




With that low slung deadwood branch, you'll need an "outside the box" container. I see the notch cut out of the current container.

Interesting tree with a unique future, I'd say. Cool beans!!!

I'm probably going to reduce the bottom jin. I don't really like it. For now, it stays.

Rayner pots drain poorly ? I have never heard that before.