Case History - Part Two
This is a new series of image articles showing past and ongoing projects at the Newstead Bonsai Centre. All the work illustrated has been carried out by John personally, or by students/helpers acting under John’s supervision. For as long as the tree remains unsold on the nursery updates will be presented from time to time as each tree develops further.
I hope some of the images will provide a source of inspiration. Visitors to the nursery should have a greater appreciation of some of the trees on show when they can trace its origin and development.
ACER BEUGERIANUM (TRIDENT MAPLE)
(Affectionately known as Big John!)
Part Two
February 2004
The story resumes in late winter 2004. The unwanted shoots from last years growth have been pruned away to leave the basic triangular outline of the future canopy.
February 2004
The protective cut paste is removed from the old pruning scars and all the wounds are slightly hollowed with a knob cutter or carving chisel.
February 2004
New cut paste is then applied to all the wounds. The cut paste protects them from disease but allows the wounds to breathe and promotes callusing. This work of hollowing out and reapplying cut paste is carried out every year. It helps to speed up the healing process so that eventually large old pruning scars will close completely and almost disappear.
February 2004
The tree is removed from the bread tray ready for repotting into a more dignified ceramic bonsai pot.
Spring 2004
The tree pictured after leafing out resplendent in its new training pot.
Summer 2004
Renewed vigour following the repotting resulted in strong early summer growth. Notice the granular fertiliser on the soil surface. The cup has been included to give you some indication of size.
Summer 2004
At least 50% of the foliage is removed whilst the more vigorous apex and upper sections are severely pruned back.
The lower branches are not pruned but are wired out to extend the profile of the tree and to help promote branch thickening. They were allowed to grow unchecked for the remainder of the growing season.
Summer 2005
The work of 2004 was largely repeated this year. After the initial burst of growth the upper sections of the tree were kept under control by pinching and larger leaves were removed regularly. Once again the lower branches were allowed to grow.
In the picture new shoots are ready for pinching.
March 2006
The buds are moving and the tree is ready for repotting.
Notice how last years pinching is already starting to show signs of improvement in the tree’s ramification.
March 2006
The dense root ball is combed out. The compost you can see was a mixture of akadama and Korean grit.
March 2006
The tree is now going into a smaller rectangular Derek Aspinall pot which I happened to have on my shelf. This necessitated some nibbling of the trees toes and improvement of the nebari.
March 2006
The tree ready for potting into it’s new pot using a mix of 3 parts akadama to 1 part bims(a German river gravel).
May 2006
The tree safely installed in the new pot with its first flush of growth allowed to continue unchecked to help it recover from the repotting process.