Storm87
Yamadori
Anyway, this weekend I'll try to make some better photo's with some white background.
Mugo Pine from nursery stock in autumn (North West EU)
- Thread starter Storm87
- Start date
Storm87
Yamadori
Apologies. Just couldn't find the time to take some more contrast pictures of the tree so to say. I hope a featureless white background will do. I all advice is welcome in order to bring this piece of material to a bonsai!
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Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
In the first tree photo in your sequence you have a bar branch, the first up from the base. These things may not make sense to you now but they will as time progresses and you gain experience. One of these branches should be eliminated at some point soon so, you should start thinking of the design without one of them.The logical choice to remove would be the left facing branch because it is on the inside of a curve. In other words you are going to be forced to make a directional commitment without one or the other. I also noticed that your wiring needs work to be more effective. There are a couple of free on line tutorial available from Craftsy that are priceless and should be viewed.
As to the circling root; it should be cut back to the trunk, if it is the only one.
As to the circling root; it should be cut back to the trunk, if it is the only one.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
I do find it difficult to design trees from 2D photos because depth and direction of branches is hard to determine accurately.
Given that, 2 options jump out at me immediately.
1: standard informal upright:
Retain branch A and work on back budding to build ramification. This could be a long low branch but I see a shorter more compact branch if possible.
Remove branch B - currently bar branch with A and growing from inside bend.
C becomes back branch - I hope that's where it points? but can still be flexible enough to wire toward the rear.
Reduce D and/or E to get back budding. Shorter, upper branches to right and rear?
F becomes the new apex. Wire more upright if needed. Reduce to stimulate buds and reduce length.
G: current apex is to the rear and thick. Remove.
Pros: Uses most of the current tree. Achievable in just a few years? Safe (most people's idea of bonsai) option
Cons: Safe option. Long lower branch may be reluctant to back bud.
2: cascade or semi cascade:
Check roots before deciding if rotating the trunk this much is possible. Some left side roots may need to be removed or jinned to allow this much tilt.
Lower branch becomes the new cascade trunkiline. remove or jin current main trunk and current opposite branch.
Cascade trunk will need to be built with growth from the remaining branch. Check that there is enough existing/possible sub branching to make this feasible in reasonable timeframe.
Cascade option is a little more radical. Involves removing almost all the tree you have purchased but may produce something different from standard informal upright.
pros: Something other than standard informal upright. Depending on left side roots, uses initial trunk bend to good potential.
cons: I can't assess that branch to see how ell it will make a cascade trunk. Quite radical reduction of current material.
These options are just 2 of probably many that your pine could become. Good luck with searching for the bonsai in this tree.
Given that, 2 options jump out at me immediately.
1: standard informal upright:
Retain branch A and work on back budding to build ramification. This could be a long low branch but I see a shorter more compact branch if possible.
Remove branch B - currently bar branch with A and growing from inside bend.
C becomes back branch - I hope that's where it points? but can still be flexible enough to wire toward the rear.
Reduce D and/or E to get back budding. Shorter, upper branches to right and rear?
F becomes the new apex. Wire more upright if needed. Reduce to stimulate buds and reduce length.
G: current apex is to the rear and thick. Remove.
Pros: Uses most of the current tree. Achievable in just a few years? Safe (most people's idea of bonsai) option
Cons: Safe option. Long lower branch may be reluctant to back bud.
2: cascade or semi cascade:
Check roots before deciding if rotating the trunk this much is possible. Some left side roots may need to be removed or jinned to allow this much tilt.
Lower branch becomes the new cascade trunkiline. remove or jin current main trunk and current opposite branch.
Cascade trunk will need to be built with growth from the remaining branch. Check that there is enough existing/possible sub branching to make this feasible in reasonable timeframe.
Cascade option is a little more radical. Involves removing almost all the tree you have purchased but may produce something different from standard informal upright.
pros: Something other than standard informal upright. Depending on left side roots, uses initial trunk bend to good potential.
cons: I can't assess that branch to see how ell it will make a cascade trunk. Quite radical reduction of current material.
These options are just 2 of probably many that your pine could become. Good luck with searching for the bonsai in this tree.
Vance Wood
Lord Mugo
AAAAA---Yessssss the ubiquitous Cascade, almost always ends up in failure. The first step in making a bonsai from raw material is to remove everything that is not useful as a bonsai element. The usual reason for disaster in a bonsai of this nature is making an arbitrary decision as to the style you want to make the bonsai, then going full steam ahead with it off the cliff. You should approach a Mugo as it were a tree in nature on a mountain side. I don't know how to tell you how to see a tree but once you start chasing cookie cutter designs you are going to destroy the potential of the tree.
You have done enough with this tree for the year. If you don't stop messing with it you are going to kill it. If you must keep doing stuff get another tree. See what the tree tells you as it responds throughout the summer. You will know than how things are going.
You have done enough with this tree for the year. If you don't stop messing with it you are going to kill it. If you must keep doing stuff get another tree. See what the tree tells you as it responds throughout the summer. You will know than how things are going.
