Hollow Trunk Satsuki

[Andrew Robson]

Here is the progression of my unique hollow trunk satsuki.

This is what happens when you don't seal a cut on the top of an azalea and water rots the center of the trunk out. All the rotted wood has been carved out.

Disclaimer: This tree has been grown in 100% kanuma, with a thin layer of yamagoki moss on the top of the soil.

1st pic - I purchased this tree from Dave Kreutz in the Summer of 2009.

2nd pic - After fall cleanup of the tree in Fall 2009.

I was very unsatisfied with the branching on this tree. It didn't seem balanced to me, so I started it over from scratch, cutting of everything back to the trunk in the Spring of 2010.

3rd & 4th pic - Taken in the Fall of 2010. I selected the shoots I thought were best and wired them to get some movement going.

 

[Andrew Robson]

5th pic - Taken in Summer 2012, the branching is starting to develop with lots of patient and careful work

6th & 7th - The tree was cut back severely in the summer of 2014

 

[Andrew Robson]

8th & 9th pics - The tree was wired, brushed, and cleaned up for the fall last weekend by my dad and Dave Kreutz. I'm really happy with how this tree is progressing. I think I'll be ready to show it in a couple more years.

 

[Andrew Robson]

Oh, and the variety is Eikan, which has large flowers. It's currently in a Sara Rayner pot for growing purposes only.

 

[sorce]

Nice work.
Real nice.

What is it like to be away from it?
I don't know if I could bear it!

Sorce

 

[Andrew Robson]

Nice work.
Real nice.

What is it like to be away from it?
I don't know if I could bear it!

Sorce

Not fun! My dad (President of the Bonsai Society of St. Louis) keeps them all growing strong while I'm away. The majority of my trees reside in St. Louis with him, and I go home to help work them a few times a year. I have a couple trees that I keep with John Kirby, which somewhat gives me my fix while I'm in Connecticut.

 

[discusmike]

Cool tree!

 

[johng]

Nice...thanks for sharing!

 

[just.wing.it]

That's cool! Do you know how old the tree is?

 

[Cadillactaste]

Very bold move...but I can see your vision in where you've brought it so far. Great job! Looking forward to your updates.

 

[Dav4]

I remember this tree from the original thread created on it years ago. It's looking good! Funny, I've got a Satsuki, unknown variety but I suspect it's either 'Kaho' or 'Eikan',that also has a hollow trunk.

 

[augustine]

Andrew, Great tree, good work.

You wrote: "8th & 9th pics - The tree was wired, brushed, and cleaned up for the fall..."

What do you mean by brushed? Thanks

Augustine

 

[Andrew Robson]

Andrew, Great tree, good work.

You wrote: "8th & 9th pics - The tree was wired, brushed, and cleaned up for the fall..."

What do you mean by brushed? Thanks

Augustine

I brush the trunks on all my Satsuki. What this does is make them really smooth and brings out bright colors in the bark. In Japan, the majority of the Satsuki people do this, but some do not. Depends on what you like.

It does have minor health benefit. It destroys potential places that pests could hide and nest in.

 

[Dav4]

I brush the trunks on all my Satsuki. What this does is make them really smooth and brings out bright colors in the bark. In Japan, the majority of the Satsuki people do this, but some do not. Depends on what you like.

It does have minor health benefit. It destroys potential places that pests could hide and nest in.

If I'm not mistaken, it may also help adventitious buds to pop where you want them to by exposing them to the sunlight. I've used the technique with that in mind. So far, only mixed results.

 

[Andrew Robson]

If I'm not mistaken, it may also help adventitious buds to pop where you want them to by exposing them to the sunlight. I've used the technique with that in mind. So far, only mixed results.

In my experience, this is only the case on a tree that hasn't been brushed much before.

 

[Andrew Robson]

That's cool! Do you know how old the tree is?

This tree was imported from Japan where it was field grown. It was probably around 30 years old when it was imported and has been in the country for about 10 years