P.afra Development/Styling Advice

[ZeeHammar]

Hello all, I obtained this P.afra at a flea market about 1.5 years ago and have just been letting it grow out with minor cuts/pruning to thicken the trunk up, which is now a little over 2” (at the lowest point). I started reading up on bonsai about 2 years ago (took that long to get through the soil mix debates ) and have just been growing pre-bonsai material to this point, focusing on trunks/roots. The art of styling or visualizing branch development is the part I struggle with significantly (don’t have a creative bone in my body). So I wanted to post some pictures and get others advice on the best path forward.

I know a significant trunk chop is needed given the lack of taper and movement (I prefer the informal upright style). Possibly just above the lowest branch, using it as the new leader. It can’t be seen in the pictures, but there was a fairly good root-flare on most of the trunk when I repotted last. I planted the trunk a bit deeper to try and get more rooting higher up in an attempt to thicken faster and also put a small plate under. The flare started about 2” down in the soil. For context, the pot is 6" tall and 10" wide (at the top).

I tried to provide as many pictures as I could since it’s difficult to see the trunk/branches. Should be able to index orientation with the smart sensor. If I need to do some defoliation for a better view, I certainly can since P.afra are so robust. Any advice that can be offered is greatly appreciated! Also, my apologies for the wall of text.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Nice p. Afra. Usually the first question to ask is, how big of trunk do you want?

You will definitely get a couple more trees after you decide to chop.

I would just continue to prune slightly to keep a basic triangle shape until you decide the base is where you want it.

After that, you chop and focus on the style.
Wire is definitely an option.
Many don’t want to wire these, but it does work.

 

[ZeeHammar]

My apologies, I should have specified desired size. I have a few of these growing that are similar in size and wanted to make this one a shohin simply so I could start branch/form development and use it as a learning experience. Does the trunk need some more bulk for that size to look visually appealing (I'm very bad at visualizing)? I really like how the top is growing in, so definitely going to make more trees when I finally make the cutback.

 

[ZeeHammar]

This guy needed a repot quite bad, so I snagged a picture after unpotting, cutting back growth to the 1st node, and removing junction leaves. I've attached 2 pictures with the only options I really see for the major cut back. As a note, for the higher cut I would remove the front facing branch.

 

[mwkohler]

This guy needed a repot quite bad, so I snagged a picture after unpotting, cutting back growth to the 1st node, and removing junction leaves. I've attached 2 pictures with the only options I really see for the major cut back. As a note, for the higher cut I would remove the front facing branch.

Hard to tell size without a reference, but for shohin to get some taper and apex I would go with #2

 

[Eckhoffw]

I was gonna say number one. But if shohin (up to 8” from soil) is your aim, then 2nd option.

 

[ZeeHammar]

Thanks all! Going to let it grow out until spring then will make the chop. If I go with the 1st cut option (and shift target to larger than shohin) would the aesthetic be okay considering the bottom branch would go up and out and the 2nd branch would go down and out, putting the 'pads' at very near the same level? Attached an example of what I mean.

 

[mwkohler]

You either work them down with bending or grow replacement branches. PA will readily back bud. The chances of adventitious buds are very good