My shohin Zelkova broom

[leatherback]

Repotting and taking photo's is not always a good option. I admire people who manage to do all that.

Was thinking something similar. For me, I repot in a shed where it is dark. To run out every time I have done something to take pictures.. And then the worry about the roots drying out.. Na.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Repotting and taking photo's is not always a good option. I admire people who manage to do all that. Repotting time for me is a race against time.

It's not at all a fish out of water, race against time scenario. I used to think that too, and I would rush my way through work that needed time and attention to detail to complete. just mist the bare, exposed roots every 5-10 minutes as you're working, and take steps to provide good aftercare.

When I root-grafted this Japanese maple in a workshop, the tree was bare-rooted for 4 hours while we did the work. If a tree needs to be repotted and the soil is wet, I'll unpotted it and set it out for a few hours or overnight to dry out a bit.

I'd say it's even more important to take photos at repotting so you remember what you did from one repotting to the next. It's easy to forget what you did 2-5 years ago, when it's buried out of sight 99.9% of the time.

 

[Dav4]

It's not at all a fish out of water, race against time scenario. I used to think that too, and I would rush my way through work that needed time and attention to detail to complete. just mist the bare, exposed roots every 5-10 minutes as you're working, and take steps to provide good aftercare.

When I root-grafted this Japanese maple in a workshop, the tree was bare-rooted for 4 hours while we did the work. If a tree needs to be repotted and the soil is wet, I'll unpotted it and set it out for a few hours or overnight to dry out a bit.

I'd say it's even more important to take photos at repotting so you remember what you did from one repotting to the next. It's easy to forget what you did 2-5 years ago, when it's buried out of sight 99.9% of the time.

...and you were drinking during the earlier re-pot...

 

[Dav4]

In all seriousness, I agree with Brian. If the roots are kept moist and out of the sun, there's no hurry at all. Over the years, I've been interrupted mid re-pot more times then I can remember. Piling moist soil or mulch over the roots will keep them for hours or even until the next day. I've sprayed the roots with water or dunked them in a bucket repeatedly during overly long root working sessions. Ultimately, with re-pots occurring once a year or less, you want to maximize the benefit of what you do when you do it. Keep the roots moist, take your time, and do it right. And if you have a water resistant otter box on your I phone, snap pics to your heart's content.

 

[coh]

Tree looks good Adair! The new pot makes it look more powerful.

Regarding progress photos, I'm often guilty of not taking them. Partly a function of having too much to do, partly just laziness. But, one doesn't really have to strive for award-quality photos...you don't really need a professional lighting set-up- you can just take a quick shot or two with a flash if necessary. That would probably give you enough information for future use, as a reminder, etc.

 

[Adair M]

Tree looks good Adair! The new pot makes it look more powerful.

Regarding progress photos, I'm often guilty of not taking them. Partly a function of having too much to do, partly just laziness. But, one doesn't really have to strive for award-quality photos...you don't really need a professional lighting set-up- you can just take a quick shot or two with a flash if necessary. That would probably give you enough information for future use, as a reminder, etc.

Yeah... I hear you guys about the photos. I was giving a class, teaching people while it was in progress. I have enough trouble staying on track as it is to stop and photograph when I'm doing it in a classroom setting.

 

[coh]

No prob, my comment was intended in general terms when working at home, not when leading a workshop! If I were paying you I'd rather you do something other than take photos

 

[Starfox]

I like the new look, I have spent a while looking at that tree lately after you posted it elsewhere but I do like it now too.
That pot too makes me want to take pots more seriously as well.

 

[Adair M]

I like the new look, I have spent a while looking at that tree lately after you posted it elsewhere but I do like it now too.
That pot too makes me want to take pots more seriously as well.

When I first started, and even for a long while afterwards, the pot was an afterthought. I mean, it used to take several repottings to eotk the rootball down from nursery can to bonsai pot. Heck, I was happy if I could squeeze the rootball in! And of course, I mounded!

I've come a long way since those days!

Now, it's not unusual for me to keep a tree in an "everyday" pot most of the time, then transfer it into a "show" pot for showing. That's for finished, or show worthy trees. Trees still under development might be in a "training" pot. Maybe it's a little deeper or wider than the eventual pot, but it still looks ok on the bench. And then there are the "grow" pots or boxes. Pretty much anything goes!

My wife isn't too fond of the black plastic containers, so I generally try to get them into something ceramic.

But, it helps to have a variety of pots on hand when repotting. Even if they're the everyday variety.

I was lucky with this Yozan. It wasn't all that expensive compared to some pots I've bought. I think it fits pretty well!

 

[sorce]

I think it fits pretty well!

Understatement of the year!

I love the slimline look.
Beautiful!

Adair....how bout a gopro camera on Your head!

It's not at all a fish out of water, race against time scenario.

Thanks for that!

I've been trying to work more methodically in the root zone.
It sure don't help feeling rushed.

Since Al posted those root cuttings, I been keeping a water dish close by.
Underwater root work is far easier.

Here's a faller.


Felled Faller.

Sorce

 

[Lars Grimm]

Beautiful tree. Was this shown at the shohin nationals? Also, @Adair M could you comment on the size dimensions, in particular trunk thickness?

 

[Giga]

update please @Adair M

 

[Waltron]

I like this front, minus that first branch of the smaller left trunk that kinda crosses back between the 2 main trunks. that's just me. the new front just doesn't catch my eye like the first one you had, not that it really matters, but it gives me chicken foot inverse taper effect, where the other front seems more natural, or almost but not quite, like a twin trunk feel. you'd have to deal with the scar.. obviously between Boon, Bill, and yours, my opinion is moot, but that was my initial thought of the front switch. I was thinking just strip the bark on that particular branch, then snap it off eventually. then just bring a couple of the lower branches off the apex down to fill the foliage gap from the branch removal. great tree either way.