Species suggestions

Going to class today! Going to be a game time decision.

Well Obviously, those of us who can't have a new tree right now, are living vicariously thru your choice, so please do let us all know what you choose. AND a picture of the tree of course!

But seriously if this is a tree that you'll take to the classes, you may want to consider a JBP, as this is John's favorite.... And it's something that is difficult to learn on your own. You would benefit more greatly in classes with a JBP, as you'll learn all the techniques that are difficult to grasp without that experienced knowledge.
 
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Well Obviously, those of us who can't have a new tree right now, are living vicariously thru your choice, so please do let us all know what you choose. AND a picture of the tree of course!

But seriously if this is a tree that you'll take to the classes, you may want to consider a JBP, as this is John's favorite.... And it's something that is difficult to learn on your own. You would benefit more greatly in classes with a JBP, as you'll learn all the techniques that are difficult to grasp without that experienced knowledge.

Judy's right, of course...don't know why I didn;t think of that (I've been gone too long:(). Get the best one you can afford...then get another one (or maybe a nice juniper) later this summer during the sale:).
 
Thanks for your responses Judy and Dave. I feel like I am letting everyone down, but I came back today without buying a tree. There weren't any Korean hornbeams in the right size for me, and I'm hoping some more collected junipers pop up this spring/summer to choose from.

I honestly think its maybe even more important for me, that I was able to come away without buying something. Im trying quality over quantity. I think I'll save up some more money so that I'll be able to buy the next level up in stock.

However, I did buy a field grown JBP about a month ago in preparation for this class that I worked on and repotted. I really enjoyed the class and cant wait to go back. John is great resource and teacher, and has the patience to answer all his students questions at once. I'll try and post some pictures tonight of the work performed. It's very much a work in progress.

I'll remember to post my next purchase here too so stayed tuned!
 
I honestly think its maybe even more important for me, that I was able to come away without buying something. Im trying quality over quantity. I think I'll save up some more money so that I'll be able to buy the next level up in stock.

you have accomplished something that takes many people a very long time to learn.... and some still never learn it..... well done!! I believe you will be much happier with your purchase as you continue to save .... certainly don't feel obligated to buy anything... you will know it when you see it :)

bravo!! and I am really excited for you that you are working with John .... you are certainly taking all the right steps and heading in the right direction..... ( feels good doesn't it? )
 
ditto on the props. I have a one expensive tree a year policy... And I don't buy if I don't find something that I love. Which means the following year, I have a larger budget, as long as I stay away from too many gotta have it trees...
 
you have accomplished something that takes many people a very long time to learn.... and some still never learn it..... well done!! I believe you will be much happier with your purchase as you continue to save .... certainly don't feel obligated to buy anything... you will know it when you see it :)

bravo!! and I am really excited for you that you are working with John .... you are certainly taking all the right steps and heading in the right direction..... ( feels good doesn't it? )

Actually it does feel good. I'm still just soaking up knowledge and think I've made some good advances in thought in the past year.
 
ditto on the props. I have a one expensive tree a year policy... And I don't buy if I don't find something that I love. Which means the following year, I have a larger budget, as long as I stay away from too many gotta have it trees...
That is actually a pretty good policy, and one worth sticking too. I think when you start out you try to amass as much material as possible, but in the long run this is just a waste of time and money. Thanks for chiming in.
 
So here is the JBP I purchased about a month ago, knowing that I would need some material for the school. According to John, it was a field grown tree dug up two years ago and they have been trying to chase back the foliage ever since. The first class focused on repotting among other things, so we actually decided to repot this tree today too.

The middle of the rootball still had some clayish, old soil that inhibited any root growth in the very center of the base of the tree. The rest of the roots were growing very well and healthy, with plenty of (was not able to spell this without google) mycorrhizae. We watched Boon's repotting video and I think it actually helped me out alot. I used his "Z" clips and tie down method, and I think I am sold on both.

Before we got repotting we chased some foliage back, needle pulled, pinched candles, and where there were more than two buds I cut back to make a fork. After that, I picked out a nice old looking pot that I think I got a decent deal on, and potted it up. I potted it a bit too high, so we put some wet sphagnum moss around the surface roots to help them stay moist. The plan is to eventually wire the apex up, wire out of the branches, and work on the density of the foliage.

As i said it needs a lot of work but I am happy to get it started on it's journey.

Enjoy!

JBP_03.24.12_5.jpgJBP_04.21.2012_2.jpgJBP_04.21.2012_3.jpgJBP_04.21.2012_4.jpgJBP_04.21.2012_13.jpg
 
Great little tree with a nice base and perfect for your class. Good initial work, too. It will be nice to see how this one develops under John's tutelage (no pressure, though;)).
 
Very nice!

Eventually you will have to make some decisions about that whirl of branches at the top, but that was a very nice start! Too bad you couldn't have potted that a little deeper in the pot. That is a very attractive pot, by the way!

If you haven't seen it, check out Brian Van Fleet's pdf on the progression of his JBP. He took his from looking like yours does today to fabulous in about 4 years. Yours will be, too.
 
Very nice!

Eventually you will have to make some decisions about that whirl of branches at the top, but that was a very nice start! Too bad you couldn't have potted that a little deeper in the pot. That is a very attractive pot, by the way!

If you haven't seen it, check out Brian Van Fleet's pdf on the progression of his JBP. He took his from looking like yours does today to fabulous in about 4 years. Yours will be, too.

Thanks I have actually been in contact with BVF, and have read his PDFs. The repot was my fault, in boons video he (twice) shows how you hold the sides of the pot with your hands and twist the tree down into the pot. I should have twisted this a little more. Still, quite happy with the tree and it's new pot.

We will be working on the top sometime this year and agreed it does need some work. Thanks for your comments!
 
Great start Tom.
I am jealous of your kaikou school, I wish I lived close enough to take those classes as I surely would. Even thru email tutorials John has been able to help me along... I can only imagine the amount of knowledge and skills you'll gain.
 
Great start Tom.
I am jealous of your kaikou school, I wish I lived close enough to take those classes as I surely would. Even thru email tutorials John has been able to help me along... I can only imagine the amount of knowledge and skills you'll gain.

What, no private jet? I'm sure John would admit one more student.
 
That school sounds great! I got a start somewhat like that with biweekly lessons for a couple of months. Fantastic you're getting the opportunity to go!
 
Thought I'd update this thread, Brian Van Fleet's candle pruning thread reminded me that I haven't shared this one in a little while. It grew fine after all the work we did to it back in April, and I candle cut it in June. It responded great and threw a lot of buds, even a few backbuds. The candles are starting to extend into needles in areas on the tree now.

Before and after decandling in June are the first shots, followed by last weeks shot and some blurry candles.

JBP_06.23.2012_1.jpg

JBP_06.23.2012_6.jpg

JBP_08.08.2012_1.jpg

JBP_08.08.2012_2.jpg
 
And today, I added some rough wiring in my third Kaikou class. I think it's come along really nicely this year, really looking forward to the next few seasons of growth and maintenance. I fixed the branch on the lower left slightly after this picture, realized it looked a little loopy.

JBP_08.25.2012_5.jpg
 
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