Colorado
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Hard cut back today on this ginseng ficus from post #106. This should really compact the canopy. Now will let it grow unchecked for the rest of the year.
Projects from TJ’s Backyard
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Colorado
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Defoliation work on another tiger bark ficus. Here is the tree today
Now, here is a photo of the tree from just a year ago, June 2021. As you can see, the increase in ramification is exponential:
When I get home from work today I will be wiring and pruning, more updates to come!
Now, here is a photo of the tree from just a year ago, June 2021. As you can see, the increase in ramification is exponential:
When I get home from work today I will be wiring and pruning, more updates to come!
Colorado
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Wired out 
Hartinez
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This tree looks excellent TJ
Colorado
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Thanks bro! It is one of my favorite trees in my collection! Such a pleasure to work with.
Colorado
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More garden building work this weekend! I’ve extended my bench by almost double by adding another concrete block base and 10’ treated 4x4s.
Before (trees we just sitting on the ground)
After:
Before (trees we just sitting on the ground)
After:
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Dude, I think I recognize one or two of those trees. 
Colorado
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Yessir! You are correct! I may need to send more your way because even with the new benches I am STILL short on spaceDude, I think I recognize one or two of those trees.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I JUST got around to building my first bench, and the squirrels think it's for them.Yessir! You are correct! I may need to send more your way because even with the new benches I am STILL short on space
I think another one sounds like a good winter project, though.
Colorado
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More bench building. I think now I am done for awhile. I feel that I’ve maximized my tiny little bonsai space! I really like the 4x4 and concrete block system. Super sturdy, easy to set up, easy to break down for winter.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
How many trees are you at now? Bakers dozen? Lol
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Haha, something like that!
I think it is probably about 50, give or take. Maybe 15 or 20 of those are in bonsai pots.
Shogun610
Masterpiece
I know what you mean I’m around there w a few things at the studio
Colorado
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This RMJ makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes! The foliage is so incredibly droopy and leggy. And spiky. I have other RMJs with near 100% scale foliage, but I’ve never seen even a sprig on this uncooperative bonsai subject! Anyway, I may graft it over with Kishu next spring, I’ve never grafted before, though. Got to learn some time I suppose!
I’ve continued to try to make an interesting literati trunk line. Also added a strip of Shari starting near the base. I’ll continue to expand that over time.
Maybe I’ll do some more wiring on the droopy secondaries but for now I got tired of getting poked!
I’ve continued to try to make an interesting literati trunk line. Also added a strip of Shari starting near the base. I’ll continue to expand that over time.
Maybe I’ll do some more wiring on the droopy secondaries but for now I got tired of getting poked!
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Remember that serenity prayer?This RMJ makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes! The foliage is so incredibly droopy and leggy. And spiky. I have other RMJs with near 100% scale foliage, but I’ve never seen even a sprig on this uncooperative bonsai subject! Anyway, I may graft it over with Kishu next spring, I’ve never grafted before, though. Got to learn some time I suppose!
I’ve continued to try to make an interesting literati trunk line. Also added a strip of Shari starting near the base. I’ll continue to expand that over time.
Maybe I’ll do some more wiring on the droopy secondaries but for now I got tired of getting poked!
View attachment 453282
RMJ are sometimes called the weeping juniper because many genetically tend toward long dropping foliage. I imagine this is what yours is trying to do, and it perceives your fiddling with it's foliage as an assault so produces the pokey juvenile foliage as a defense mechanism.
I'm actually keeping an eye out for an RMJ with some thick REALLY weepy foliage. I feel like so many people try to fight the species' nature only to their own frustration, so I'd like to try taking them to the opposite extreme. Embrace their depressed nature if you will? I want a tree so emo it practically prunes itself. I imagine refined trees looking somewhat as if they're covered in the Old Man's Beard type of moss.
Colorado
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I love this insight, Shady! Funny you suggest embracing the weeping nature. @Hartinez also made a similar suggestion awhile back! I think it’s really an interesting idea.
A couple weeks ago our club had a live Zoom Q&A with Ryan Neil. Ask him whatever you want about bonsai. I asked a question about “weeping style” RMJs. He basically poo-poo’d the idea. This has me really torn because I really admire his work and follow his teachings/techniques quite religiously, however I feel like perhaps he was being a little bit closed minded. Conversely, perhaps I am just being ignorant
Anyway, “so emo it practically prunes itself.” Can we make t-shirts with this quote?
I’m imagining a “Brand New” album as this tree’s accent piece
Colorado
Masterpiece
This year my tropicals came inside on October 5. Here’s my new and improved (I.e. - reduced) trop collection in their humble little south-facing window.
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Where's that BNut Tshirt thread. That's a nutty one for sure!I love this insight, Shady! Funny you suggest embracing the weeping nature. @Hartinez also made a similar suggestion awhile back! I think it’s really an interesting idea.
A couple weeks ago our club had a live Zoom Q&A with Ryan Neil. Ask him whatever you want about bonsai. I asked a question about “weeping style” RMJs. He basically poo-poo’d the idea. This has me really torn because I really admire his work and follow his teachings/techniques quite religiously, however I feel like perhaps he was being a little bit closed minded. Conversely, perhaps I am just being ignorant
Anyway, “so emo it practically prunes itself.” Can we make t-shirts with this quote?
It could be a bit of both our ignorance and his closed mindedness. Remember that he's trained in the classical Japanese form, and RMJ will certainly not do that 9 times out of 10. Of course we're also a couple of amateurs talking experimental styling with a species on the cusp of being written off as impossible.
I'm cool with failing in the attempt. What's the movie line? Something like, "brave amateurs; they do their part."
Colorado
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This one was sold on FB Auctions.
Colorado
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Here’s a new tree to the garden that I’m excited about!
White Fir. Collected in the New Mexico Rockies by @Hartinez . Believe it was collected in Fall 2021. It has recovered very well from collection and the container now seems full of new roots.
I got it up on the turntable today for a light clean up - just removal of dead or very weak growth. Mostly just trying to get to know the tree a bit
White Fir. Collected in the New Mexico Rockies by @Hartinez . Believe it was collected in Fall 2021. It has recovered very well from collection and the container now seems full of new roots.
I got it up on the turntable today for a light clean up - just removal of dead or very weak growth. Mostly just trying to get to know the tree a bit
