The Literati/Bunjin Thread

[Dragon60]

My other Chinese Tallow is starting to show some color. These Tallows are terrible for bonsai because their branches are always dying randomly. But their apex stays strong so the literati style is the only thing I use them for. But in Florida mine seem to show some color consistently this time of year unlike my other deciduous trees.

 

[Relic37]

A pair of bougainvilleas I've been messing with for the past couple of years. Really need to figure out where I'm going, but the trip is enjoyable...

 

[Dragon60]

I forgot about my crape myrtle when I posted my Chinese Tallow. The cm also has some good color this year here in Florida.

 

[Vincent Tanner]

I forgot about my crape myrtle when I posted my Chinese Tallow. The cm also has some good color this year here in Florida.

Sick base!

 

[Vincent Tanner]

My first Literati…!

Eastern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis
32” tall

Just acquired this tree from another local hobbyist. I’m amped to have my first Thuja and excited to develop it for the future.

Shopping around for a shallower nanban pot to switch to in the Spring.

 

[Dragon60]

Updated pic of my Chinese Tallow. Much more color now after a few cold (cold for Florida) nights. Also a visitor behind it on the door.

 

[JohnnyUtah]

Here is a beech I moved inside for a photo.

 

[Vincent Tanner]

My Literati Blueberry.

 

[chicago1980]

RMJ, still in development. This year I will simplify the design by removing branches.

 

[Ruddigger]

Unwired this one yesterday and expanded the shari a little. Still growing out the branching but the structure is set. I had to put a couple small wires back on for some fine adjustment, but soon it will be completely wire free and maintained through pruning.

 

[Wood]

A literati Korean hornbeam I picked up at the Potomac Bonsai Association Sitting Festival, from Green Witch Gardens. I haven't decided on which front I like better. Planning on only clip and grow with this tree



Before pruning


After

 

[Dav4]

I started this jbp from seed probably 10 years ago. Will look better after decandling and thinning.

 

[Dav4]

I got this one as a whip around 2007-8. It got blown off the bench and partially unpotted 2 or 3 times a year ago…. Turns out that’s a great way to keep the needles short as this one wasn’t decandled last year.

 

[RJG2]

Just started on this larch this year, more penjing-y (collected spring 2024).



Details over this way:

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/larch-1-larix-laricina.69009/

 

[SantaFeBonsai]

I think she’s grown herself out of literati or at least on the verge???

 

[Ruddigger]

Way past literati. Cool though.

 

[Vincent Tanner]

My first Literati…!

Eastern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis
32” tall

Just acquired this tree from another local hobbyist. I’m amped to have my first Thuja and excited to develop it for the future.

Shopping around for a shallower nanban pot to switch to in the Spring.

View attachment 576804

New nanban pot by Chris from Red Mountain Bonsai. The top branch died back this Spring, but I like having an odd number of branches anyway. The rest of the tree is growing strong after repotting.

 

[tanlu]

I started this jbp from seed probably 10 years ago. Will look better after decandling and thinning.
View attachment 599459

I have a pitch pine and JRP that I’m trying to carefully manage both branch and trunk thickness to eventually achieve a convincing bunjin. How did you handle feeding and watering to maintain the delicate trunk and branching?

 

[Dav4]

I have a pitch pine and JRP that I’m trying to carefully manage both branch and trunk thickness to eventually achieve a convincing bunjin. How did you handle feeding and watering to maintain the delicate trunk and branching?

I didn't do anything different here than with all my other seedling projects, meaning they all got the same fertilizer and water, and spent approximately the same amount of time in pond baskets. Once I decided on the literati style. the subsequent reduction in number of branches and relatively limited amount of foliage instantly slowed down any trunk or branch thickening to a crawl. Here's a pic from 6 years or so ago. You can see that there wasn't much foliage on it at this point (the tree was apparently 6-7 years old here)

 

[shohin_branches]

I borrowed this book from my bonsai club's library last meeting and I freaking love it.
Highly recommend if you like Chinese style literati.