Ilex vomitoria (possible bonsai material?)

[roelex14]

does the season matter if it is in a high humidity (+80%) green house?

[roelex14]

Would anyone have any suggestions as far as a style goes for this. maybe a virt?

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by roelex14

couple pics of a Yaupon Holly

possible form for a windswept style. let me know if u want some better pics, i know these arent the best views. but it has nicely developed nebari and thick trunk. just curious of how these are to work with and if it has potential...

thanks!!!!

Just curious what "you" feel makes nice nebari. I see many thick roots and bad crossing roots with no even root spread.

As far as potential for the species....limitless...

[roelex14]

Originally Posted by Smoke

Just curious what "you" feel makes nice nebari. I see many thick roots and bad crossing roots with no even root spread.

As far as potential for the species....limitless...

so this is garbage is what you're trying to say?

[roelex14]

i would consider removing (maybe uncrossing) the roots but i feel i'll be left with a pretty gnarly "trunk" if thats what ya want to call it...

[Smoke]

Originally Posted by roelex14

so this is garbage is what you're trying to say?

I don't remember "garbage" being part of my lexicon while describing my opinion. I asked what made you think it was nice nebari? I am gathering that you feel grotesque rootage is somehow to be confused with good nebari. For those willing to hear me out, I can tell you it isn't. Unless your going for some growtesque (pun intended) Chinese inspired form, this will always be bad rootage, plain and simple. I agree that untangleing roots and paring away uneeded roots will improve the look of this trunk.

You posted it, I offered my opinion. Feel free to disagree.

I have a yaupon I am working on, maybe you will see a difference....maybe not. All thats left to do is grow out a canopy which will take about three months here.

[RyanFrye]

Originally Posted by roelex14

i would consider removing (maybe uncrossing) the roots but i feel i'll be left with a pretty gnarly "trunk" if thats what ya want to call it...

The nebari isn't the most desirable at present. BUT if you bare root it you may find smaller roots below what you currently see that could make for a better nebari, and could justify removing the big thick roots you see at present. You have an aesthetically challenging piece of material. But, I've found these plants to be pretty tough and malleable. I guess it all comes down to how much time you want to devote to this.

Just a thought...my local Lowes or Home depot seems to always have these in stock. I often sift through them to see if I can find one with a nice nebari and trunk. They cost less than $10...why not abandon this one for one you might find that would be a better aesthetically pleasing tree?

[roelex14]

I apologize, I didn't mean that comment to come off as snotty haha. At first look, especially for a newbie like myself, nebari is nebari and now i have come to realize that its not the best lol. I completely understand what you mean. I'm just beginning and am fortunate enough to have some pretty nice material to work with here.

-I guess my biggest question is what i need to go through for the canopy development... I don't even know which direction to go in as far as style goes... Is there any way the current foliage could be developed? or would a clear cut be a better route?

thanks again for all your input!

[roelex14]

and as far as finding another tree... unfortunately, my options are kind of limited where i live... (Middle of the Midwest)