Desert landscape

[jk_lewis]

I'm an expat from the desert states (California, Arizona and New Mexico) and get homesick for those landscapes -- especially the high deserts of AZ and NM.

I've been working on this one for some time. Plants are J. chinensis, J. procumbens (nana?), Sempervivum, and Mammillaria (rodantha?).

 

[JudyB]

Nicely thought out, I can feel the heat emanating off the rock. I'd like to be sitting with my back against that slab, having a nice cold drink...
Thanks for posting it, it does so paint a picture. We've been to many desert areas, and love the big empty.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

The landscape you've created is beautiful, really draws in the minds eye and allows it to wander to another place.

Side note: I've figured out how to harvest sage out here (must collect very young with tons of roots, colander in the ground) Though I don't think they will ever become good bonsai, I do see a future for them as dessert theme accent plants. If your interested I'd be happy to make arrangements.

edit: added a couple pics of the most recently harvested plant. Been in the colander in the ground 1.5 mo and is thriving.

 

[sorce]

Very soothing JKL.

Well done.

Is there space between the front slab and the pot?

I would like to see a bit of space there to make it seem a little more "expansive".

I love the step down in the slabs, very natural feeling. Is that one slab or two?

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Also,

I found this HO scale model railroad ballast to be an excellent top dressing for desert look.

You have to lay down a layer of smaller partical anything, then said ballast, so it doesnt fall through.

Once applied, you have to mist it before watering.

After while, it kind of holds itself together and you can water regularly.

I have juniper growing in it now, actually rooted cuttings, no problems to speak of.

Sorce

 

[jk_lewis]

Thanks all, for the comments. I MAY be taking this to the Bonsai Expo at the NC Arboretum this fall. Or not. ?????

Very soothing JKL.

Well done.

Is there space between the front slab and the pot?

I would like to see a bit of space there to make it seem a little more "expansive".

Only about a half inch.

I love the step down in the slabs, very natural feeling. Is that one slab or two?

One slab. The butte is glued on with a LOT of Gorilla Glue.

Eventually, I plan to use some of the fines created by sifting Turface for patches of 'desert pavement' -- especially around the butte and slab where the eroded material would naturally be brown-orange. Elsewhere I like the sun-glare whitish look.

Blake, I suspect we have a bit of trouble growing Kennewick sage down here in the hot, humid Blue Ridge foothills. But thanks.

 

[GrimLore]

Very nice display, soothing and complex is hard to do. If you can show it certainly do so! Thanks for sharing

Grimmy

 

[jk_lewis]

If you can show it certainly do so!

Thanks.

The thing is, it is so danged heavy -- and off balance, weight wise. I'm no longer able to carry things like this for any great distance -- like from the unloading area to the display area.

We'll see.

 

[RustyNail]

Thank's for sharing really nice . also makes a good desk top picture on my 21 inch screen.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

I had done something similar to that many years ago but the large rock broke off the other rock I had attached it to.

What did you use to keep the tall rock upright and balanced?

I still have mine and think about rebuilding the landscape frequently.

 

[jk_lewis]

It had a pretty flat bottom. Then, as I said, I used a lot of Gorilla Glue.

 

[jk_lewis]

Here it is at the Carolina Bonsai Expo: