MHBonsai
Chumono
This is the big cutting from a few posts up.
It’s going to be a good year in the tent for aerial roots! The big tree is also throwing massive amounts this year. Ive got it set with more light and less heat this season.
This is the big cutting from a few posts up.
It’s going to be a good year in the tent for aerial roots! The big tree is also throwing massive amounts this year. Ive got it set with more light and less heat this season.
luvinthemountains
Chumono
This thread is a great inspiration! I have been fussing about with my big benji for about the same amount of time, but only got the guts to go hard about 1.5 years ago. When I start a thread on it, I will let you know.
MHBonsai
Chumono
I let the roots run this year in the grow tent. It grows….aggressively 
. October through March.
Outside there were a handful of well placed aerial roots not in soil yet, and some runners escaping the pot I wanted to keep. So into other pots to keep them extending.
It worked ok.
. October through March. Outside there were a handful of well placed aerial roots not in soil yet, and some runners escaping the pot I wanted to keep. So into other pots to keep them extending.
It worked ok.
MHBonsai
Chumono
My pot is too small for the tree now, and I’m not about to buy the 30” pot it would need. So I mucked around in a local river here looking for big rock slabs. Found this beauty. Drilled holes with a masonry bit. Then muck.
MHBonsai
Chumono
Challenging repotting to say the least
Organized untangled, and thinned the roots. Trimmed back the regular root ball.
Organized untangled, and thinned the roots. Trimmed back the regular root ball.
MHBonsai
Chumono
I’m going to let the canopy run until mid summer to build some strength in those new roots. I’ll full wire style and partially defoliate then.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Wow! That thing is getting more impressive every time you post.
Saw one at a local greenhouse the other day that's as big as my living room. Didn't get a pic, but it made me a little jealous that I'm stuck with tiny trees.
Saw one at a local greenhouse the other day that's as big as my living room. Didn't get a pic, but it made me a little jealous that I'm stuck with tiny trees.
luvinthemountains
Chumono
Your tree and the progress you have made is such a great inspiration to me and gives me hope for my big benji that is far behind this one.
MHBonsai
Chumono
Displayed at the Nashville Bonsai society show this year.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I will be revising my statements about ficus benjamina.
They're easy, loads of fun, and CAN win at a show.
pandacular
Masterpiece
I just caught up on this thread, and the degree of bold steps taken just kept ramping up. Replacing your favorite pot is a hard choice, but I think the slab pairs well with the aerial roots. Which by the way, are also very bold!
MHBonsai
Chumono
Agreed on all accounts. Get them enough humidity and they grow sooo fast. Great beginner trees to learn on for building branches, nebari, grafting, etc. They are super forgiving because you can change them so quickly. Fun!
MHBonsai
Chumono
I love the look on the big stone, but it’s just too heavy. Just about topples my stands and I’m gonna kill myself trying to move it.
So let’s get weird.
I ordered a piece of 3/4” hardened PVC sheet. It’s 36” x 24”. Black. Light and strong. Should survive the grow tent without decomposing.
Cut loose all the tie downs from below and lifted it off.
Set it and tied it down.
It’s under 100lbs now. I kinda like it.
So let’s get weird.
I ordered a piece of 3/4” hardened PVC sheet. It’s 36” x 24”. Black. Light and strong. Should survive the grow tent without decomposing.
Cut loose all the tie downs from below and lifted it off.
Set it and tied it down.
It’s under 100lbs now. I kinda like it.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
If it's stupid but works...
Doesn't look bad, but it sure isn't the rock.
Is it possible to take a jigsaw to it and go oval or the like? Or would it expose uncolored material? Just a thought.
And I am STILL blown away by the aerial roots. At first glance I think it's a forest, but then I remember.
Doesn't look bad, but it sure isn't the rock.
Is it possible to take a jigsaw to it and go oval or the like? Or would it expose uncolored material? Just a thought.
And I am STILL blown away by the aerial roots. At first glance I think it's a forest, but then I remember.
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Just read the whole thread on this tree. What a great transformation. It shows what can be done with a plan, proper care, proper technique, and just a tiny little bit of luck.
Great tree and great story! Have you shown your friend who you received it from the current state of his tree? I think you should give him one of the cuttings!!!
Great tree and great story! Have you shown your friend who you received it from the current state of his tree? I think you should give him one of the cuttings!!!
MHBonsai
Chumono
Thanks! Yes, I’ve stayed in touch with him and he does have one of the cuttings! He always has mixed feelings about the tree…amazed at what it looks like now but also misses the full size tree it was for so many years.
MHBonsai
Chumono
Yes it will cut easily and the core is black. The stark look of the square corners is interesting contrast to me. Really the pvc sheet is more function than form…so I doubt I’ll end up cutting it for aesthetics. Maybe I’ll cut strips off the sides and build/epoxy it into a tray sometime.
MHBonsai
Chumono
Had the pleasure of showing the tree at an event for the Nashville club. Cleaned up the slab and rounded the corners, I really like it and I can actually pick it up now. Lol
Naked time.
And a cutback to the nearest good bud. Quite a bit of thinning.
No wire on the tree.
MHBonsai
Chumono
I have a hard time deciding if I want to detail wire it out with flat pads, like you see in some of the hyper-styled trees. More of a formal penjing style? Or leave it more natural like it is here. I just couldn’t bring myself to start wiring. I may arrange some crossing branches a bit and call it a season.
Into the grow tent it goes!
Into the grow tent it goes!
Alaskanrocket
Yamadori
That thing is looking great, gets better and better with every update.
