The Other Idea...

Also, the top of the tree is so densely grown that its difficult to reach into and trim back any new twigs forming leading to even more dense growth. I understand that they will lengthen in time and the leaves nearer the trunk will fall away, but I would like the tree to have more height to it, so I would like to trim back some of the thicker branches - make the peak of the tree more defined and allow for an extention of the trunk beyond its current height...

The Idea...

I feel that the tree is more than a little unbalanced... Looking from the front - there is a lot more foliage and weight on the left hand side of the tree... I like the assymetry, but would like more balance for sure...

So the branch circled (or ovaled depending on precision...) is, in my view, in need of thickening and lengthening - the foliage needs to be denser too. So any growth from this branch will not be cut back (heard this helps with the thickening of the branch - someone please correct me if I'm wrong), the decisions on which to keep will come later...

The Growths...

The Chinese Elm is definitely in need of a trim... But I want the second bottom branch to fill out and lengthen to give the tree a bit more balance... Growing so vigorously! Just take a look at the pics, this is only in the couple of weeks since the last trim.

Won't be trimming all of them back though, as I mentioned earlier about the wish to lenghten and thicken a certain branch... That Idea will be described tomorrow...

The Other Tree - Almost A Month On...

Unlike the Chinese Elm, this one is growing at a much more sedate pace, as is fitting given its nature. It seems to have taken a while to get comfortable and is only now starting to sprout new leaves/flat needles, which are a lovely pale colour.

All I can really say is that I'm very much looking forward to see how this tree will look a few years from now, with a hopefully thickened trunk and denser foliage... Maybe a few extra inches in height as well... And maybe, just maybe, it will decide what to be called as well...

Away For The Weekend...

I'm away for the weekend - the son of my boss from my previous job is having his Bar-Mitzvah in Paris, followed by a weekend of celebration in the french countryside. 

Never been to one before, regardless of the fact that something like 30% of my school was jewish back in the day. Should be quite an experience... Left a couple of posts to auto-publish whilst I'm away, including this one...

Back To My Tree...

Here's a quick update on the progress of my Tree... Still need to name him though, any suggestions?

He's been growing very quickly, new branches just shoot out in a matter of days so he's in need of another trim already! Very much so if you were to judge by the below photos...

Will let him grow for another few weeks and into July before I do that though as I want to get a better idea of how the branches harden as they grow, leaf count, etc...

I'm also looking to do a bit of wiring, just on the second lowest branch for now, as I feel a bit more balance could be beneficial.

He's not having as many yellow leaves of late, I guess as a result of not letting the soil stay soggy - will definitely be replanting as soon as is feasible - though I'd rather get a bit of help/advice before I go ahead with that...

Just SO Readable...

Ok, so this is looking a bit like Peter Chan Week over here, but would like to add a bit of a review of his book - Bonsai Secrets which was delivered about a month ago and that I've read cover to cover at least 3 times (have it lying around in the most visited parts of the flat so often sit down and read for a few minutes, or just marvel at some of the specimens within...).

The book is just so well written, with a bit on the historic roots of Bonsai in China, the migration to Japan along with other substantial parts of Chinese culture, along with the evolution of the art over the last century.

Most of the pictures are just stunning (I'm a particular fan of the Red Maple specimens) and it's very hard not to be inspired by the obvious pasion Peter feels towards Bonsai.

A warning though: This book makes you feel like you need to move into the country-side and grow the beautiful, majestic trees. I see myself as a metropolitan dweller, but the draw of nature is palpable when you read this.

The book describles very succinctly various techniques that should be followed to ensure the best looking tree, along with visual photographic guides.

If I had a star rating system going I'd definitely give it a 5! Love it.

Peter Chan - Herons Bonsai...

I've decided that I need to go on a bit of a pilgrimage when the weather is fine and the time available. The trip will be my first to a proper Bonsai nursery - Peter Chans in fact! The trip shouldn't be more than an hour or two each way and I have a friend who's teaching at a boarding school not too far away so if I manage to make it before the end of term, will try and catch him for a drink or two.

Herons Bonsai Nursery looks great! Seven and a half acres of Bonsai Goodness... http://www.herons.co.uk/ Will be sure to take plenty of photos! I'm sure most of the trees are going to be stunning!

And Book #3...

The third and final book that was delivered is also by Peter Chan - Bonsai Masterclass. Apologies in advance for the quality of the picture, lighting was terrible when I had the chance to take a photo.

Seems to be a much more in-depth look at bonsai and is my first hardcover book on Bonsai. Haven't opened it yet and will wait to do so, too much to read already and this seems to be a great one for once I've fully grasped the basics... As you can probably tell - a bit of a fan of Peter Chan

Book #2...

The second book that got delivered is another DK publication 101 essential tips...

This is a quick and simple read - basically splitting all the techniques, tree types, etc. into manageble chunks. Something to open and read the first thing you see... Again, full review to follow.

Another Few Books...

Over the last week, though busy with the new job, I've managed to have a quick flick through several new books that were delivered recently. The first one was is Choosing and Growing Bonsai by Peter Chan...

On first glance it appears to be a much more in-depth mini-encyclopedia of Bonsai - split into chapters based on foliage and placement - Outdoor Decidous, Outdoor Coniferous and Indoor. Along with some more information on maintenance and care - something I haven't yet looked at.

An in-depth review of this one will come in a couple of weeks - very easy reading quite like Bonsai Secrets (also by Peter Chan) which I will be reviewing later this week.

New Template...

After a tough end of week, I've decided to get back into attempting daily updates, regardless of how banal they might me... So here's the one to today...

Modified the template to make the blog a bit more... me I guess... Hope you like.

Forgot Where I Found This...

but looking around the web for more inspiration of interesting-looking natural trees, I came across the below picture... Not sure quite what to think - a Bonsai grown to look like this would be... highly unusual to say the least...

Halfway Point...

Roughly half a month has passed since I started the Cold Stratification of most of the seeds that are yet to be planted, and the Common Larch needs a month! I will be away for the weekend after next, but I think the seeds will be fine with another week or so in the fridge... Looking forward to getting more seeds in the ground.

By then the Black Locust Tree seedlings should be ready to be transplanted into larger individual pots so that should free up 6 spots in the seed trays - more than adequate for the seeds to be planted.

And Here Are Some Pics....

The Black Locust Tree seeds have sprouted as I mentioned a few days ago... Finally managed to get some pics to upload, been a bit busy being back at work, being introduced to hundreds of people and generally getting back into the flow of waking up at 5:30-6 in the morning (fortunately avoiding the morning rush hour). But enough about me, and more about the sprouts!

Only 3 so far so still hoping on a couple more, but that'll do for now... Will wait until they have grown another set of leaves or two before repotting into something larger... Guess I now need to wait for a few years before doing anything with these guys. Still, most success I've ever had with seeds other than chillis. Let's hope they continue to develop nicely...

Planting Diagram...

And here it is, the two seed trays:

The key is below:

C - Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani)

E - European Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus)

H - Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis Obtusa)

W - White Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis Alba)

J - Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia)

B - Black Locust Tree (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

O - Orange Jasmin (Murraya Paniculata)

R - Coast Redwood (Sequoia Sepervirens)

(Latin names are 'fun' to type - please not the sarcasm)

Last Week...

The first of the seedlings sprouted! I haven't been able to get any photos yet, but I can tell you it's the Black Locust Tree... Pics coming soon and a diagram of the plantings coming in a bit!

And I Forgot To Mention...

The new tree, as you could probably tell from the pics yesterday, has a gorgeous off-white pot that complements the tree so well! The rocks look great, even though they are a contrasting feature rather than being integral to the tree itself.

The bull is a very nice feature - I was born in the year of the bull, really adds character for the time being whilst the tree grows and develops further.

Won't be making any mistakes on watering it, and will avoid any trims for AT LEAST a month, maybe even a year... Want to see how it develops first, get to know the growth and pace...

Amazing Girlfriend...

It was my birthday near the end of last week and my amazing girlfriend, obviously seeing how into Bonsai I've been getting of late, got me this tree...

Have no idea what exactly it is yet (will have to look through all the trees in the short pocket encyclopedia that I mentioned a few weeks back), but looking forward to finding out!

- Since this was written, the guys on ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com have helped a little :)

Podocarpus macrophyllus - sometimes called the Chinese yew, though it is not a yew.

Or...Buddhist pine, but it's not a pine.

Thanks Guys! (Jim and Bruce)

Really lucious green foliage, can't really see the colours in this light (late afternoon and/or flash) but it's a really vivid green with a tiny bit of a blue tinge (looks much bluer in the pics).

Little Grassling...

Ok, I will need to make sure that it's not a weed, but have a tiny little grassling growing up through the moss of my first tree in this adventure...

And in focus:

Adds quite a bit of character in my opinion, but my opinion obviously doesn't count for much at this stage... you be the judge...

Back To Work...

Went back to work on Monday, had a very pleasant 3-4 months off between jobs and felt like I really deserved it after everything I went through at the previous one for 3 and a half years...

Glad to be going back, but doubt I'll be able to keep up with 1+ posts a day. Will try to manage 5 a week as a minimum - who knows, maybe being busier will allow me to get more done...

Back On The Ledge...

And he's back (I've decided it's a "he") on his windowsill and we had a few days of nice heavy rain so the sun's been off him for a while... Leaves aren't yellowing as much but the soil is still damp! Hopefully will dry a bit more in the coming days, feel guilty for not watering him, but needs more time. The last thing I want is his roots to rot!

Again, the back side of the tree, turning him to even the growth out, I know it's a bit un-natural, but otherwise the front side wouldn't see any sun at all...

And with a flash for comparison... Very dull, dreary days...

And Now For The Trim...

Partway through the trim...

Want the branch on the bottom left to grow so limiting the trimming on that (this is the back view of the tree, though might have to change that in future, prefer the way the trunk looks from here).

And the end of yet another massacre... Didn't realise a tree could have so much foliage!

Much cleaner lines, though a bit sparse... this is the "front" view at the moment... Can see the trunk much better now without the mass of leaves and redundant thin growths...

From an eye-level angle...

And below - the severed limbs and digits with my hands to scale (have quite large hands, will need to do the coca-cola can comparison of the tree someday)...

The Tree Has Thrived...

Look how bushy it has gotten since the last trimming! Really thick foliage and long new growths...

As you can probably see in the pot and marginally in the pictures below there have been a fair few yellow leaves... After researching a bit and testing various scenarios the only real conclusions I could come to are:

a) The tree had a bit of shock from going from a dim garden-centre greenhouse to a windowsill that gets plenty of morning light.

b) The soil in which it is planted is not suited to it and I have been over-watering, even 5 days after last watering a stick in the soil still comes up a bit damp, not good.

The good thing is that it now seems used to the Sun, but I won't be replanting until next spring I don't think, unless the yellowing doesn't stop. Don't want to lose a summers growth unless I have to.

Will need to thin the foliage out a little bit as the leaves near the trunk appear to be yellowing through light-starvation (there are pockets of yellow in the deep shade).

Lets hope the three pronged approach works! Tomorrow I'll post post-trim pics - seems like this will be quite a big one!

Common Larch (Larix Decidua)

My last set of seeds, 2 months in the fridge for these guys, so in they go... beautiful autumn colours on these from what I can tell, but only time will show...

Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani)

No stratification or scarification required, they just go straight in the ground...

Only 5 seeds so if all come out might make a nice group planting, 4 a group of 3 and an upright (apparently the aesthetic properties of even numbered groups are limited). If 3 maybe just uprights and a multiple trunk, those are just amazing...

Mango Tree (Mangifera Indica)

I've recently seen some great pics of Mango Bonsai (as well as the wonderful tree below, any idea what the species is?), the leaves are fairly large so I guess the tree would have to be fairly large, but the root structure seems to have a huge amount of potential...

But the Mango trees...

 And...

What do you think of the roots?

Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis Obtusa)

This is one tree that appears to be much more impressive as a Bonsai than it does in the wild... Cold Stratification is recommended, but I'm avoiding it due to impatience and partial stupidity... Already planted these guys out.

Can grow fairly large and has beautiful leaf and bark texture...

Whilst in bonsai form it can be just stunning: