Sometimes I work on nursery trees, sometimes I work on client’s trees……and sometimes if I’ve been a really good boy I get to work on my own trees. Hopefully these regular visits will give you an insight into what goes on behind closed doors……….
Studio Stories – Juniper Ittogawa Half-Cascade Shohin
I have a few of these small Juniper Ittogawa which are really excellent for creating dynamic smaller size bonsai.
I styled one recently as part of a demonstration at the Accrington Bonsai Society but someone purchased the tree almost as soon as I had finished it.
Therefore I decided to style another one for people to see on the nursery. The trunk divides into two strong branches pulling long in opposite directions. A decision had to be made….right or left?….I went to the right because the trunk movement appeared more natural in this direction.
All branches not required were removed. Some were left to create long jins which could then be shaped to suggest a dead apex and give an impression of age/hardship.
Existing shari in the lower trunk were extended to flow naturally into the newly created deadwood. The live veins also had to flow naturally for both health and aesthetics.
You can see how much foliage was in fact removed and the pot, already chosen awaits it’s new companion. The remaining branches all had to be wired. Some younger shoots would be allowed to grow stronger before being wired.
The deadwood will look more impressive once the new ares blend in with the old and are the same colour. The lower cascading branch could be removed if required to make the tree even more compact.
No wonder these trees sell fast…. the transformation is so dramatic, especially in this size.