MACH5
Imperial Masterpiece
Last week, I had the pleasure of having Mauro Stemberger spend the day here in my garden. I had him style a couple of trees, do a critique and discuss future development of some of my bonsai and even repot a large RMJ, which originally came planted as a cascade and repositioned upright making for a dynamic informal upright with two apexes in the future.
I found Mauro to be professional, knowledgable and very easy to talk to, fielding questions easily as he worked. It was a pleasure to have him over and watch one of the best at work.
His preference by far are conifers so made sure I had a few ready for him to work on. One such tree was a Colorado blue spruce that I purchased about 4 years ago from Todd Schlafer. I am attracted to the species mainly for its heavily plated, beautiful bark full of character. They are also incredibly tough trees that do not need any winter protection. This tree is said to be roughly 250 years old with beautiful mature bark all the way into the branches. For a few minutes we discussed the styling plan and after agreeing, Mauro went to work.
During the past couple of years I had been preparing this tree for its first styling by fertilizing it abundantly and gradually cutting away thick branches that I knew would be of no use in the final design. The tree is strong and buds back with relative ease as is the case with healthy blue spruces. One reason that makes this species so desirable for bonsai!
Photo that Todd sent to me back in 2013, two years after collection.
The tree in my garden about a year later in 2014.
August 2016.
First styling with Mauro! Sadly I failed to take a before pic but the August 2016 photo above gives one a good idea of what the tree looked like before the work began.
The completed work for now. Next year I plan on repotting it into a much smaller unglazed oval pot. I look forward to its continued development.
I found Mauro to be professional, knowledgable and very easy to talk to, fielding questions easily as he worked. It was a pleasure to have him over and watch one of the best at work.
His preference by far are conifers so made sure I had a few ready for him to work on. One such tree was a Colorado blue spruce that I purchased about 4 years ago from Todd Schlafer. I am attracted to the species mainly for its heavily plated, beautiful bark full of character. They are also incredibly tough trees that do not need any winter protection. This tree is said to be roughly 250 years old with beautiful mature bark all the way into the branches. For a few minutes we discussed the styling plan and after agreeing, Mauro went to work.
During the past couple of years I had been preparing this tree for its first styling by fertilizing it abundantly and gradually cutting away thick branches that I knew would be of no use in the final design. The tree is strong and buds back with relative ease as is the case with healthy blue spruces. One reason that makes this species so desirable for bonsai!
Photo that Todd sent to me back in 2013, two years after collection.
The tree in my garden about a year later in 2014.
August 2016.
First styling with Mauro! Sadly I failed to take a before pic but the August 2016 photo above gives one a good idea of what the tree looked like before the work began.
The completed work for now. Next year I plan on repotting it into a much smaller unglazed oval pot. I look forward to its continued development.
