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 – Some Nursery Bonsai Stylings
Styling our own material is something we do on a regular ongoing basis. Sometimes it’s raw material, sometimes it’s trees that have already had at least one wiring.
The wire had been removed from this Scots Pine approximately 12 months ago and it had lost it’s shape. A re-wiring, a re-working of the foliage and the tree is much more compact and much more attractive.
We always put trees up for sale as we acquire them and give the bonsai hobbyist the chance to buy the tree in it’s “raw” state and carry out the styling work themselves. After a while the tree reaches a stage where the styling work has to be carried out to maintain health and momentum.
The shoots on this Juniper Rigida had extended but were now dropping downwards. The wiring and styling was necessary for health as well as good looks.
We carry out styling work all through the year but the winter period is a good time often when the weather stops us from doing other jobs.
Each time you wire and style a tree you take it to another level. It is another step, another stage in the development and refinement of your bonsai. These two pines become much more saleable as a result of the styling work undertaken.
This yamadorii Spruce appeared so sparse that you would expect the wiring to produce a very basic shape but where does the extra foliage come from to produce such a full finished image after the styling?…….answers on a postcard…..!!! Wiring is not the favourite pastime of many bonsai students (you know who you are….. Susan!) but the result it can bring you makes it really worth the effort.