My first forest bonsai
- Thread starter Hbhaska
- Start date
Well, the flow of the tree on the right is awkward.
the two on the left complement each other well, as they both move to the left.
I think you could reorient these three somehow to make a very pleasing grouping. I would try to make it less of three trees in a line, and more of a clump. This means you probably need to reduce the rootballs more so that they can be situated closer together. Much closer together.
in my opinion , you should take this apart, work the root balls, put them together, and THEN pot them.
the trunks should either all move away from each other, OR all move the same way, as a “wind influenced” design. Either way would work.
the two on the left complement each other well, as they both move to the left.
I think you could reorient these three somehow to make a very pleasing grouping. I would try to make it less of three trees in a line, and more of a clump. This means you probably need to reduce the rootballs more so that they can be situated closer together. Much closer together.
in my opinion , you should take this apart, work the root balls, put them together, and THEN pot them.
the trunks should either all move away from each other, OR all move the same way, as a “wind influenced” design. Either way would work.
ragenmoan
Sapling
Agreed, too symmetric. For the 1st tree on left, i'd maybe remove the highest branch. Move the 3rd tree to close to the left of the 2nd tree and cut its highest branch. The composition would improve the windswept style.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I like the pot.
Sorce
Sorce
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
This juxtaposition is incongruous. I've tried to recombobulate them into a coherent group and failed. Groups of trees need to conform to one rule without fail: All the trees grown together are shaped by the same forces. A wind that bends one, bends all, in the same direction even if some get more wind than others and are more deformed than others, they all need to lean in the same direction. Even in an enchanted forest, all the trees have about the same amount of contorted irregularities. You don't find a tree with a thin graceful sweep immediately adjacent to one with stocky blunt corners. I wish I could say that two of these could belong together. They probably did grow together in some tortured existence, but making an artful design out of any of the trio will take a better man than me. Good luck. I apologize for my honesty.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
It is great to see people having a go. As others have already said. Group plantings are more than just sticking random trees in the same pot. To make an attractive scene there needs to be some complimentary shapes and bends.
The 2 left trees are OK as far as complimentary shapes but I don't think the right hand tree can fit in with the others as it is. Maybe you could layer the trunks so you get trees with a single curve like the other 2.
When I'm assembling groups I start of with way more trees than I plan to use so I can pick the ones that look best together.
The 2 left trees would look better a little closer together so they look like they belong, not just happen to be nearby.
The 2 left trees are OK as far as complimentary shapes but I don't think the right hand tree can fit in with the others as it is. Maybe you could layer the trunks so you get trees with a single curve like the other 2.
When I'm assembling groups I start of with way more trees than I plan to use so I can pick the ones that look best together.
The 2 left trees would look better a little closer together so they look like they belong, not just happen to be nearby.
Hbhaska
Chumono
Thank you, Adair. Will do according to your suggestions! Great input
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
Just because these trees will never compliment each other doesn't mean they have no value. As individuals, they are very individual, and that gives you a leg up on "doing something different" with them. Watching people try to create square pegs when they have perfectly good round holes will always be the bane of bonsai. I have witnessed professional demos where a straight tree is bent at a 45° just to prove he could. And other demos where a crooked tree is straightened out, just to prove he could. That instilled in me my philosophy of making the best with the stock I have, and pointedly never trying to force a candidate into some preconceived form, just because I was too stupid, or lazy to shop for what suited my goal.
What you have is flexible within limits. You have three separate trees and could make 2 cascade/semi-cascade, 3 wind-swept, or 3 irregular uprights. That's 8 possibilities which you can have any three of as separate trees. All of these choices are not obtainable by someone with straight sticks. Separate these, take each one by itself, and ask yourself, "How can I accentuate what I have to start with here?"
You can have a free-for-all with these and wind-up with three very interesting creations. Go for that! Want a group or a forest? Shop for good prospects.
What you have is flexible within limits. You have three separate trees and could make 2 cascade/semi-cascade, 3 wind-swept, or 3 irregular uprights. That's 8 possibilities which you can have any three of as separate trees. All of these choices are not obtainable by someone with straight sticks. Separate these, take each one by itself, and ask yourself, "How can I accentuate what I have to start with here?"
You can have a free-for-all with these and wind-up with three very interesting creations. Go for that! Want a group or a forest? Shop for good prospects.
Hbhaska
Chumono
That is such sound advice. I was thinking of taking them down next month and potting them separate. I want to see what I can do with these but I feel like the poor little trees already went through a lot. I will wait a little for them to recoup and separate them. Thank you very much.
Hbhaska
Chumono
On second thoughts, I’m just going to separate them into individual trees next month. They just don’t seem to go together, especially the right most one. Thanks
Hbhaska
Chumono
Should I also pot all three in a smaller pot if I move the trees closer? Thank you
ragenmoan
Sapling
Id recommend a smaller shallow oval or irregular shaped pot about 2/3rds the height of the tallest tree.
ragenmoan
Sapling
a flat or concaved stone may also work
Captain.Bonsai
Mame
I think you have been given sound advice here. You should read some articles on forming groups to help you answer some of your questions. The inter webs are amazing - tons of articles.
Here’s a quick and relatively comprehensive one:
bonsai4me.com
... and look up potting techniques while you’re at it. That litter pile over the rootballs looks like the cat buried his business.
Here’s a quick and relatively comprehensive one:
Articles – Bonsai4Me
bonsai4me.com
... and look up potting techniques while you’re at it. That litter pile over the rootballs looks like the cat buried his business.
Hbhaska
Chumono
Thank you for your suggestions.
I think you have been given sound advice here. You should read some articles on forming groups to help you answer some of your questions. The inter webs are amazing - tons of articles.
Here’s a quick and relatively comprehensive one:
Articles – Bonsai4Me
... and look up potting techniques while you’re at it. That litter pile over the rootballs looks like the cat buried his business.
Kdavis1109
Sapling
Hbhaska
Chumono
Hi,
Thanks for posting. It looks good for a beginner. Keep doing it and try to help from these forums. That’s the only way to get better
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