Sean’s Umes

[gschup]

Thoughts?

Love the ume's by the way.

I am not questioning Andrew's expertise or experience, I am very sure he is extremely proficient and knows what he is talking about: That said, I don't think you should be discouraged by this video. Andrew works with his stated goal of working with the "highest level decidious bonsai". I am assuming that means he is aiming to create and refine highest level of bonsai in his lifetime. Andrew says the tree featured in the video "feels lacking". This gives valuable perspective for his ambitions. If I had a grown a tree like that, I would be very satisfied with the result.

While not mentioning them specifically, Andrew speaks about the complications of working with this species. Those seem to be very real and are reported everywhere on the web and in books. But if you just want to grow a cool little ume tree in a pot, there is absolutely nothing that should stop you. Bonsai is a hobby and if this is what you want to do with your free time, you should do it!

What I dislike about the video is that he talks about "a roadmap not existing", but he never explicitly goes into details of why that is and what the limiting factors are. I do like his point of other prunus existing that are easier, quicker and more forgiving to work with.

Finally, it seems to be very possible to grow quite impressive results, as shown in the video. It might not be good enough on the highest levels of professional bonsai, but it for sure would be good enough for me

 

[Nybonsai12]

I'm not listening to Robson on this topic and neither should you. But he and I have something in common, neither of us will have our Ume shown in Kokufu.

 

[SeanS]

Thats just about enough Ume naysaying for my thread, let’s get back on track with the progress of my non-Kokufu trees

 

[Yamabudoudanshi]

Thats just about enough Ume naysaying for my thread, let’s get back on track with the progress of my non-Kokufu trees

Wasn't my intention to muck up your thread. But yes, I agree - Just because your trees aren't kokufu tress, doesn't mean they aren't worthwhile. I love bonsai at all levels. I get what he was trying to get at, but it's kind of a moot point, as if you're doing bonsai outside of Japan, your trees are not going to be kokufu trees. (International boarders and rules and all)

Anyway, keep up the great work. Wondering if you ever employ "oridame" as a technique (intentionally cracking branches to allow light to penetrate the first few buds/weaken the sap flow to the ends)?

Also curious what your thoughts on small (shohim) and below size ume are? They are almost impossible to find in Japan. Almost all potted ume are field grown and already too big for those categories.

 

[SeanS]

Wasn't my intention to muck up your thread. But yes, I agree - Just because your trees aren't kokufu tress, doesn't mean they aren't worthwhile. I love bonsai at all levels. I get what he was trying to get at, but it's kind of a moot point, as if you're doing bonsai outside of Japan, your trees are not going to be kokufu trees. (International boarders and rules and all)

Anyway, keep up the great work. Wondering if you ever employ "oridame" as a technique (intentionally cracking branches to allow light to penetrate the first few buds/weaken the sap flow to the ends)?

Also curious what your thoughts on small (shohim) and below size ume are? They are almost impossible to find in Japan. Almost all potted ume are field grown and already too big for those categories.

@Yamabudoudanshi I know of the technique but still haven’t had the balls to intentionally break my Ume branches, but I unintentionally do it all the time when wiring them and have yet to lose a branch so maybe it’s time to take the plunge!

I also like this video detailing the technique, but more to make angular movement than to allow light in

 

[SeanS]

Post partial defoliation and cut-back update.

These 3 were done first around 3.5 weeks ago

 

[SeanS]

These 2 were done about 5 days later

 

[SeanS]

Some extra detail shots

@Yamabudoudanshi here are some branches that I’ve snapped my mistake



Approach graft from last season on the big tree in the unglazed pot growing very well. It was also cut back and defoliated 3.5 weeks ago with the rest of the tree

 

[SeanS]

 

[badatusernames]

Repot time for my big Ume. I’ll post a photo of it in the pot tomorrow.
It was a squeeze to get it in the pot. The inside of the pot is 27cm (~10”)
I’ll start some carving this season. I’m nervous as I’ve never done any carved and I don’t want to mess it up!

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Would you ever cut that large root on the left back? I'm starting to think of how I want to handle the larger thicket roots on mine, and I always thought that it is best to cut something like that on an angle and bury it so new roots can sprout... but now I'm not so sure. That obviously looks really good. I may not understand some fairly basic aspects of nebari creation...

 

[badatusernames]

Edit: sorry, just saw Sean requested we refrain from discussing the video in his thread

 

[SeanS]

Would you ever cut that large root on the left back? I'm starting to think of how I want to handle the larger thicket roots on mine, and I always thought that it is best to cut something like that on an angle and bury it so new roots can sprout... but now I'm not so sure. That obviously looks really good. I may not understand some fairly basic aspects of nebari creation...

No ways! It adds about 3” to the nebari. I intend to carve that large root to add a deep shari extending from the soil line up into the trunk.

(I’m still very undecided/confused about how to start the deadwood on the trunk, open to suggestions)

 

[badatusernames]

No ways! It adds about 3” to the nebari. I intend to carve that large root to add a deep shari extending from the soil line up into the trunk.

(I’m still very undecided/confused about how to start the deadwood on the trunk, open to suggestions)

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That's helpful. I think in general I've had this inclination to work roots like that into something smaller, and recently I've realized that that probably isn't the way to go! Thank you!

This thread also reminded me to check Evergreen Gardenworks - just ordered a 1gal Hokkaido Bungo to go along with the Josephines I got from him.

 

[SeanS]

That's helpful. I think in general I've had this inclination to work roots like that into something smaller, and recently I've realized that that probably isn't the way to go! Thank you!

This thread also reminded me to check Evergreen Gardenworks - just ordered a 1gal Hokkaido Bungo to go along with the Josephines I got from him.

From what I understand about Ume creation (as a non-professional growing non-Kokufu level trees) is that Ume “nebari” shouldn’t be thought of in the same mindset as other deciduous. Ume don’t follow the rules, they can have funky nebari, inverse taper (up to a point), deadwood, and other quirks that make them Ume.
So I think having a large root or 2 isn’t as taboo as say on a Japanese maple. More visible rootage = more space to add deadwood?

 

[SeanS]

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5 weeks later

 

[SeanS]

A few more, ready for another trim

 

[snowman04]

Love the last one! Looks like the fertilizer bags are working...