MissRomsMami “this is not a contest” tree(s) entry

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I was so happy when I saw the date was moved to May 1st. I think I got alittle too happy because now I can’t decide which tree to enter.
For the most part the boxwood is edging the others out. I picked it up at my local exotic plant store for $10. How could I say no?
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The prunus- I’m not even sure which kind it is- I feel it’s ok...
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.....more below
 
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The Nandina- I’m really liking the idea of twin trunks and I love the trunk on it. But I’ve never worked with this tree and I have no idea how to style it whatsoever.
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The crape myrtle- I love the trunk movement and nebari, plus I’ve abused the crap out of it and it’s still around so it’s a close 2nd.
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Then the privet- I love the foliage. But I would only use one trunk, the smaller one, because it has some decent nebari in there and better trunk movement and taper I believe.
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Anyway, I would love some input on which tree you guys think has the most potential. I need a different, unbiased pair of eyes. Thanks
 

sorce

Nonsense Rascal
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It looks like you spent some time finding interesting plants.
I think they All can be made into something rather nice.
I'd be interested to hear what your realistic plan for each would be...

Since they all seem long game...

But you seem to be paying good attention!

And if you don't have a realistic plan now, you will AFTER the contest!

Just don't get "hooked" on em cuz it seems you will eventually find "better" "fatter" material...it's as if your eye is well trained, but your nursery is offering to high of quality "nursery" trees.

You gotta find a shitty nursery!
Or get to A California Bonsai joint!
Too far?

I feel like "Bonsai" material is "cheaper" than nursery stock in California.

For me...I totally exed all "proven winners", I don't even look at em anymore..
They are too nice! Too $!

Cuz it seems like you care...
Since...you been gone for so long and came back with 6-8 plants?

And no sign of fungus!

Rock on!

Sorce
 
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You gotta find a shitty nursery!
Or get to A California Bonsai joint!
Too far?
Sorce

Your right, I’ve been silent for a while now, I have a problem with mustering up the courage to do some really heavy pruning and other “final” things to my bonsai, I almost felt like I wasn’t....hmm... how can I put it... worthy? I don’t know, but I felt less than so I stayed quiet in the background.
Buuut I’m trying to say F*** that just go for it! I have so many now it’s about damn time!
Well anyway I took your advice and went to my local bonsai joint, the awesome Maruyama bonsai nursery. And I picked up this boxwood, which I’m just freakin loving the trunk and the nebari, I think it looks pretty damn awesome. Im going to style it after old majestic olive trees, that’s the goal anyway. What do you think?
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I couldn’t help myself so I ended up picking up this hornbeam too. I can’t really see any solid nebari but I think it has some really nice flare that give it a strong aged appearance. I like here the primary branches are coming out and I like that there are some buds growing on that stump on the left side, gives me something to work with. I plan on trunk chopping it, but undecided as to where I should. How I plan on styling this one....mmm I don’t know.
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Any and all advice, critique, criticism, whatever you got I wanna hear. The hardest part of bonsai for me is actually doing the major chops and cuts that really change and mold the tree. And I’m making that a big goal for this contest with these trees. So I could really use your guys’ expertise! Oh and don’t say anything about the foo foo garden gloves alright Thanks :p
 

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sorce

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Blooooody Hell!

Scizore!

Holy Shit if you didn't completely change your game!

You can Rock Whatever gloves you want!

Speaking of @rockm lol! I think its Hornbeam he knows well, @JudyB too ..
Dunno bout in Cali...

But...yeah...bonus!

These 2...seem excellent to just do minor exploratory work with....more thinking than pruning and ONLY pruning what gets in the way of your thinking .....

Use these to pump with fert and water this year, since they're not to prone to "get away from you"...witness this ALL IMPORTANT ...actual vigorous growth!

And after you dice these contest 6 pooper joints up...you'll have all the confidence you need to knock these 2 nice ones out next year, and they will be ready for it!

Your hort skills seem fine...you were dealt some BS last year...NEXT!

Design wise...in thinking about it for @bonsaibp ...um women in Bonsai, and for that matter, the Scholarship $ you may should look into!...
Dudes might not like it but women tend to have a better design sense and do take to this more naturally. So don't be afraid to trust your instincts.

Bottom to top...
Big to small..
Nice proportions.
Keep the smaller branches.
Keep the smaller branches with better direction.

Done!

This...

Buuut I’m trying to say F*** that just go for it!

Hell Yeah!

Sorce
 
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Bottom to top...
Big to small..
Nice proportions.
Keep the smaller branches.
Keep the smaller branches with better direction.

Done!

This...



Hell Yeah!

Sorce
Sooo... finally got a chance to take some shears to one these guys. I picked up the hornbeam because I really liked the movement of the trunk and the flare. But obviously it was hard to get a good look at what the trunk was up to further along. This is what it was:
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So I went about taking schticks off, conservatively. Lopped off the top. Once I cleared a good amount I see the trunk is nice towards the bottom but then ughhhh is just super straight with no taper. Now I’m at a loss of what to do....
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So I now I don’t know where to cut it down to and create a new apex. What seems to make it worse is that I don’t think there’s any good branches to cut back to until you get down to the very bottom. :eek:
Any suggestions? Pleassssee
 

JosephCooper

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I have to go with using the boxwood. You need a substantial trunk so you don't have to waste time in the contest building a trunk.

Also, I love boxwoods!
 
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I have to go with using the boxwood. You need a substantial trunk so you don't have to waste time in the contest building a trunk.

Also, I love boxwoods!
I agree wholeheartedly. I think the boxwood’s trunk is awesome. It looks old. At least to me. Problem is, I’ve never worked with a boxwood before so it’s a tad intimidating with all the dense upright foliage. I kinda used the hornbeam as a practice run.
Do you have any thoughts as to where I should cut the hornbeam down to, try to get some taper out of it...
 

Tycoss

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I know it sounds drastic, but if it were mine, I would cut it off right at the bottom of the straight, taperless trunk section. You can make a new leader out of one of the lower branches. Just wire it roughly into place and let it grow like crazy to thicken it. Vigorous trees like hornbeam can recover from this treatment without a problem.

You want the rest of the tree to match the awesome movement in the lower trunk. Those lower branches have that same sort of graceful movement to build good bones from. Creating nice taper is a bonus.
 
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I know it sounds drastic, but if it were mine, I would cut it off right at the bottom of the straight, taperless trunk section. You can make a new leader out of one of the lower branches. Just wire it roughly into place and let it grow like crazy to thicken it. Vigorous trees like hornbeam can recover from this treatment without a problem.

You want the rest of the tree to match the awesome movement in the lower trunk. Those lower branches have that same sort of graceful movement to build good bones from. Creating nice taper is a bonus.
Your right, I knew it would come to that. You thinking like on of the thicker bottom branches or finer ones right above? I think one of them would be ideal, and easy to wire as the leader....
Now I’m excited to get into my second boxwood I got to see what I find!
 

Tycoss

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The finer ones would work well, but you'd best let it grow freely for awhile to get girth. InTry to get similar movement to the trunk base.
It's a broadleaf, so there's nothing saying you can't have several "sub trunks" as long as they vary in height and thickness. This is often done with oaks, maples and elms. Walter Pall calls it "informal broom" if you want to look it up for ideas.
 

sorce

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I'd cut it back to the first 3? 3 all three..

Keep em...

Those can probly be left all year...then cut back hard next year or 2020...ha !
2020 must be the proper vision!

Sorce
 
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Cool trees and gloves!
What kind of Hornbeam is it??
Haha thanks!
I kind of question that too. Mr Uzo said it was a Korean hornbeam but all the Koreans ones I have have more of a lime green color to the leaves. This one has more of a dark green.... so I’m really not sure
 

just.wing.it

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Haha thanks!
I kind of question that too. Mr Uzo said it was a Korean hornbeam but all the Koreans ones I have have more of a lime green color to the leaves. This one has more of a dark green.... so I’m really not sure
There are 2 Korean Hornbeam's.
Carpinus Turczaninowii and Carpinus Koreana.
I have 2 Turczaninowii's and one Carpinus Japonica (Japanese).
They are cool trees, I love how the new leaves look coming out..
 
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