Impulse buy

[Joshua]

Hello everyone,
First off the tree does not stay inside, it's just easier than standing on my fire escape. So with that out of the way, thoughts, suggestions. I am kind of at a stand still.

 

[Stan Kengai]

The second picture shows a very nice nebari and tapered trunk for the first few inches. I'm guessing this is why you got it. The first thing I would do is add soil to the container up to the level of the larger surface roots, so that the smaller ones don't dry out and die.

From there, I see two options, both of which lose the top of the tree. 1. Feed and water heavily and give it lots of sun, to see if you can get back-budding on the lower parts of the trunks/branches. 2. Or graft shimpaku onto the lower parts of the trunks/branches.

 

[october]

Hi Joshua. Pic 2 shows some promise. It has a nice base and the trunk that emanates right in the middle is nice. This tree has potential. However, there are 2 things to think about. First, To pull off a good bonsai, you will need to drastically reduce this tree. Cutting off most of the trunks. If you are patient you can reduce gradually over the period of 3-4 years. The other thing is, if you wanted to do this faster, say reduce half this year and half the next. You would need to be prepared for the tree possibly not surviving.

Also, while you are reducing, you will be developing the main trunk, foliage and overall bonsai image. I would leave stubs to jin some of those trunks. After all reductions are done, it will take a few more years to develop. Basically you are looking at a 6-9 year project here.

Here is a virt.

Rob

 

[bonsai barry]

I agree with Rob's drawing. The only thing I'd do differently would be to keep a bit of stump on the trunks that are removed and jin them. If you don't like the jin then you could remove it later but at least you'd get the practice carving.

 

[Poink88]

I really like Rob's virt but there may be other options to consider.

To get there, (from pic #2) I will...
1. remove the right most trunk first.
2. remove the bottom left branch 2nd (later).
3. either go with Rob's virt or consider other design based on what's left.

As mentioned...it will take several years to do all these. That is why I started with broad leaves first .

BTW, I think you have to put back some soil on that and bring it back up to cover the roots. You may have to put a plastic sleeve all around as the pot was chopped lower than ideal IMHO.

Good luck!