Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Post-whack growth.
Alnus Incana (Grey Alder) #1
- Thread starter Orion_metalhead
- Start date
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Has grown well. Looking forward to see fall colors on this one.
Colorado
Masterpiece
Have you had fall color on it previously? I have one alder and every year it seems like the leaves just stay green and then turn a little brown and fall off.
Now, I love alder as a bonsai species! But fall color hasn’t been great on mine.
_#1_
Omono
Same here when I had mine. Green healthy color leaves that just falls off once the cold hits.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
End of year. Added almost 1/4" to trunk. Next year needs a repot. Also needs a hard cut back. Possibly next year.
Main structure. Yellow wire nuts indicate trees to be repotted:
Main structure. Yellow wire nuts indicate trees to be repotted:
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
So the buds are juuuuust starting to break on this and I have a nice shiny new pot for it. I think its a strong enough tree to deserve a nice pot. I also think I found a nice front for the tree:
Before:
Close up of nebari:
Starting to comb out roots:
After a little rinse
Pruned back and sorted out:
New front found:
A little farther back:
Repotted:
Structure Pruned back a little.
So this front I chose for two reasons. First, the roots are looking nice from this position. There is a defining whorl (you can see it two pictures up) just below the trunk to the left which, as the tree raises up and grows, should be a nice feature from this angle. The roots to the right side have nice movement and spread. The other reason is that in this position, the front left branch cuts just in front of the central trunk, breaking up the straightness in the earlier front. This was only about a 15 - 20 degree rotation counter-clockwise, but now I feel like it can really start to take some moves forward. Plans now are to let it grow this year really. I want the roots to fill out.
Pot is by Karen Amundsen - Burnt Mill Potters. http://www.burntmillpotters.com/home.html
Not show was the pot preparation. It has a concave element which I want to make sure doesn't cause problems with freezing in winter, so I added about 1/4" of Styrofoam insulation around the edges of the pot in the hopes that if there is expansion during over-wintering or freak freezes, that 1/4" will absorb the expansion and prevent cracking. A link to the item I used for this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-C...ti-Use-Ridged-Sill-Plate-Gasket-1FS/202084452.
Before:
Close up of nebari:
Starting to comb out roots:
After a little rinse
Pruned back and sorted out:
New front found:
A little farther back:
Repotted:
Structure Pruned back a little.
So this front I chose for two reasons. First, the roots are looking nice from this position. There is a defining whorl (you can see it two pictures up) just below the trunk to the left which, as the tree raises up and grows, should be a nice feature from this angle. The roots to the right side have nice movement and spread. The other reason is that in this position, the front left branch cuts just in front of the central trunk, breaking up the straightness in the earlier front. This was only about a 15 - 20 degree rotation counter-clockwise, but now I feel like it can really start to take some moves forward. Plans now are to let it grow this year really. I want the roots to fill out.
Pot is by Karen Amundsen - Burnt Mill Potters. http://www.burntmillpotters.com/home.html
Not show was the pot preparation. It has a concave element which I want to make sure doesn't cause problems with freezing in winter, so I added about 1/4" of Styrofoam insulation around the edges of the pot in the hopes that if there is expansion during over-wintering or freak freezes, that 1/4" will absorb the expansion and prevent cracking. A link to the item I used for this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-C...ti-Use-Ridged-Sill-Plate-Gasket-1FS/202084452.
Last edited:
Woocash
Omono
I like seeing the progress on this guy each year. You have nice refreshing approach that I think will be a great inspiration to those who want to see a real time journey from seed to bonsai in a pot and the patience it requires.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Thanks. I dont really do anything but take my time and enjoy each subtle change for what it is. Great moments in Bonsai can be fleeting.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Before and after:
Bavarian Raven
Mame
Nice. It’s shaping up well.
Sadly mine didn’t survive the winter. Never had an alder not survive a winter. :s
Sadly mine didn’t survive the winter. Never had an alder not survive a winter. :s
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Thanks! Sorry to hear about yours.
Its budding back quite well right now. Ill get a photo once the new shoots extend.
Its budding back quite well right now. Ill get a photo once the new shoots extend.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Pic from a few days ago.
Buds have leafed out now:
Buds have leafed out now:
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Tree shot out super long growth so I trimmed back the longer leggier growth.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Today. Letting it grow and strengthen for the rest of the year ahead of winter:
Leaf size. Leaves get small with ramification. Even the biggest leaves are half the size of the biggest leaves from last year.
Leaf size. Leaves get small with ramification. Even the biggest leaves are half the size of the biggest leaves from last year.
_#1_
Omono
Looking good my friend. Is the lowest shoot part of the design? If not I'd ditch it now or the cut wound gonna get too big.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
You mean that green branch bottom left? Thats just a random branch that grew. Ill cut it off during my end of the year cleanup. Its too small to leave any worrisome scar.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
Keep it up , this has a great future!! Liking how you’re progressing it…(Alder bros 
)
I do like the left trunk line and cutting back the two to right of that to build taper , but given how finicky and different alders are just watch to make sure you don’t get reverse taper.
)I do like the left trunk line and cutting back the two to right of that to build taper , but given how finicky and different alders are just watch to make sure you don’t get reverse taper.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
I look at that trunk line every day and wonder. Hahaha.
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
As stated by others, I love your approach to development!
I thought I’d post these grey alders I got as seedlings this spring to reiterate how vigorous these guys are.
When purchased, they were .5” at widest point. One season of ground growing has bulked these up real quick!
After pruning some crazy long shoots.
Trunks are still real smooth/shiny. But are at least 1” thick now
I thought I’d post these grey alders I got as seedlings this spring to reiterate how vigorous these guys are.
When purchased, they were .5” at widest point. One season of ground growing has bulked these up real quick!
After pruning some crazy long shoots.
Trunks are still real smooth/shiny. But are at least 1” thick now
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Yeah, as a whole a very vigorous and reliable species for back budding, pruning and health. Their nitrogen fixing ability ensures they always grow well.
I have not tried wiring mine yet and I also want to try cuttings.
I have not tried wiring mine yet and I also want to try cuttings.
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