Pigletts Progress

[coh]

Chris, these like full sun and I keep it watered well, although they can get by with less water than J.maples. Also as you know I use a continuous fertilizing regime, don't know if that's why or it's just a vigorous tree.

It's funny, the tree species I've been having the most trouble with are supposedly two of the easiest - trident maple and chinese elm. I may just have a couple of weak specimens but they seem to have gone downhill since I obtained them.

I've been doing a continuous fertilizing regimen as well.

Will figure it out. Anyway, looking forward to seeing the fall colors on this one.

Chris

 

[JudyB]

I've been doing a continuous fertilizing regimen as well.

It may take a season for you to see the benefits of this, be patient.

 

[jquast]

It may take a season for you to see the benefits of this, be patient.

Hey Judy
Can you elaborate on your continuous fertilizing regimen?

 

[LanceMac10]

Any color?

Any update will do!

Looks like a "Bueford" to me!!
I need to e-mail gregory beach to name my own!!

Artisan Cup Cape Cod 2030 ?

 

[JudyB]

No color yet, it it stubbornly green. I keep hoping it'll get going, but it's been really warm here for this time of year. Maybe next week, I'll post as soon as it gets going!

 

[Giga]

No color yet, it it stubbornly green. I keep hoping it'll get going, but it's been really warm here for this time of year. Maybe next week, I'll post as soon as it gets going!

Yeah still 70's here and my pear is still as green as green can be, while my maples are all reds and starting to lose leaves-soon for both of us I think!

 

[JudyB]

Hey Judy
Can you elaborate on your continuous fertilizing regimen?

Hey sorry Jeff, I missed your question!
I use a liquid the Dyna-gro products, either Bonsai Pro or the Foliage Pro. I just mix up the maintenance amount listed into my watering sprayer every time I water. This way they are continuously getting a low amount of nutrient. I also use a pelleted, the Portland Rose Society fertilizer. It's a great balanced organic, and not expensive. This way if it rains a lot, and I don't actually water much they are still getting fed.
I've noticed a big improvement after I started using this strategy.

 

[JudyB]

Artisan Cup Cape Cod 2030 ?

Yes it'll take a while for sure, to get ramification where it needs to be, after I finish the structure!

 

[JudyB]

Took this tree to a workshop with Mauro Stemberger last night. We stripped all the old leaves off, and he had me wire the tree fully. We looked at possible different fronts, based on the trunk line, then we pruned and shaped the branch structure. I had picked the current front with an eye to the nebari, but it does expose the center of the tree where there is a large scar where I removed a trunk. The line he likes is to the right of the current front, showing the strongest trunk better, and it is a great trunk line. We settled for now, between the two, as I like to see the current low left branch more than it shows further around. Anyway here is the tree after the work, with multiple angles. It's moving faster than I would have thought, the basic branch structure is well on the way. First pic is the current front, second is compromise between his favorite and the old front. 4+5 are the front he would have as the front. I'm not sure he's wrong!

 

[JudyB]

Here are some other angles of the tree, and a final shot of what I'll probably settle on for the new front next year. I like his vision for the front, but I like that left branch that becomes a back low branch too much to not see it.

 

[sorce]

I love the separation of the trunks in his front. The base doesn't disagree!

Very nice!

Sorce

 

[JudyB]

I love the separation of the trunks in his front. The base doesn't disagree!

Very nice!

Sorce

But the nebari isn't as good from that side, and you loose the cool branch... that's why the compromise for now. I agree the line is better and the separation is as well. Got it on a turntable for winter, will continue to weigh the options.

 

[sorce]

Sounds like an excellent problem !

Very enjoyable for you from many angles!

And a few fronts to pick from, "judge dependent", when you want to win.

Whatever, this on the bench is a win any of us would be proud of!

Sorce

 

[Metalgrootvader]

I am in awe of this.....this is intimidating it's so cool.

I see two trees and both in the same setting. Being a sci-fi and fantasy buff I see the leafless tree as a one that brings a bit of foreboding (ooooooooohhhh) and with leaves as one of hope or life (aaahhhhhhhhh).

Well done, Judy!!

 

[BobbyLane]

For me the tree is at its best from this angle..

Its at its most powerful from this angle imo, ive had a good look and kept coming back to this angle. there is a flow from base to top im not seeing from the other angles, although the tree looks great from all angles. here the movement of the nebari mirrors the starting points of the three apex's if that makes sense, dont know if thats good or bad in bonsai but it works for me, there is a certain flow there. i like the scar, which isnt distracting because its healed so well. if it was my tree, i'd contemplate making the scar a feature, a Uro....maybe, possibly. from this angle it looks a lot like the WP tree imo.
In the 4th n 5th images the left and right trunks appear quite straight and rigid. but from this angle here they are moving, they are moving with the nebari

Just my 2 cents!

 

[jquast]

Took this tree to a workshop with Mauro Stemberger last night. We stripped all the old leaves off, and he had me wire the tree fully. We looked at possible different fronts, based on the trunk line, then we pruned and shaped the branch structure. I had picked the current front with an eye to the nebari, but it does expose the center of the tree where there is a large scar where I removed a trunk. The line he likes is to the right of the current front, showing the strongest trunk better, and it is a great trunk line. We settled for now, between the two, as I like to see the current low left branch more than it shows further around. Anyway here is the tree after the work, with multiple angles. It's moving faster than I would have thought, the basic branch structure is well on the way. First pic is the current front, second is compromise between his favorite and the old front. 4+5 are the front he would have as the front. I'm not sure he's wrong!
View attachment 86838 View attachment 86839 View attachment 86840 View attachment 86841 View attachment 86842

Hi Judy,

I think that I like the compromise view as well since it give a bit more of a naturalistic impression rather than a traditional bonsai feel to the tree. Great work, looking forward to watching this develop.

-jeff

 

[JudyB]

Thanks Jeff, that's kinda the goal. Bobby, this is the angle that I'm moving toward, sort of the best of both worlds at this point. The nebari just needs some work from this side.
Thanks ALL!

 

[coh]

Really nice. I like the compromise front (your last pic) the best, followed by your original front. I like "his" the least of the options, at least based on the pics.

 

[JudyB]

The piglet got a new pot today. Tradsees with my Korean Hornbeam. I knew I needed something wider front to back and this one is perfect as far as size. I would love some feedback on the pot combination. This will probably not be the end pot for the tree, I'll be looking for that over the next couple of years. But would like to know how people feel about the color, shape.

New planting angle as well, turned counter clock by 1/4 or so.
I think it's better...It's a Randy Doughty pot.

 

[Stan Kengai]

Nice, Judy. How is your back, or did you use a hoist and winches?

Pot selection for deciduous trees really depends on whether the tree is to be shown in leaf or bare. IMO, this pot would be nice for a tree in leaf, especially with fall color, both in size and color. If it were to be shown bare, I would be inclined to go with an unglazed reddish, dark brown or very dark blue glazed, smaller than this one.