Another Itoigawa

[Brian Van Fleet]

It has been a couple years since I purchased a bonsai. This one just came from Don Blackmond (highly recommended) at Gregory Beach Bonsai.

it has a little history here at BNut, so I thought I'd share:

2009: http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?2754-Juniper

2010: http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?7302-To-all-the-trees-I-ve-loved-before&p=93245#post93245

2010: http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?4100-Redneck-Bonsai-Show&p=54677#post54677

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

At Don's in 2009

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Before and after Marco Invernizzi styled it in OK in 2010

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Back at Don's in 2013

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Now in Birmingham 2013

 

[Vance Wood]

Is there a Particular reason you have let it become over-grown?

 

[Cypress]

I really love the live veins up the trunk. They look very natural. I feel like I see live veins often on junis that look forced or don't particularly go with the movement of the trunk very well.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Is there a Particular reason you have let it become over-grown?

I just bought it last week.

 

[nathanbs]

Back at Don's in 2013

sorry if it was mentioned in one of the threads you posted but just curious how it ended up back at Don's?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

sorry if it was mentioned in one of the threads you posted but just curious how it ended up back at Don's?

Doug Paul imported it, sold it to Don, who sold it to Harry Greer. Harry sold it back to Don when he got out of bonsai last year, and I bought it from Don.

 

[Adair M]

Congratulations, Brian!

That is certainly a "front bench" tree!

 

[Nybonsai12]

Beautiful tree. That's a cool backstory and also interesting because it shows how you really have to stay on top of trees to keep them styled and looking sharp. Looking forward to future updates and seeing what you do with it, will you be keeping it similar to the previous styling?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Beautiful tree. That's a cool backstory and also interesting because it shows how you really have to stay on top of trees to keep them styled and looking sharp. Looking forward to future updates and seeing what you do with it, will you be keeping it similar to the previous styling?

Thanks, it is a nice tree and I always appreciate having a little history.

It is very common to refine trees to a point of show-ready, then taking a few years to let them get strong and then further refining them. Bjorn and Owen talk about these 5-10 year cycles of refinement quite a bit. Especially as they're working at a nursery that handles that last step before showing them.

As for the style...not sure yet. I'm liking the back better than the front. I spent 4 hours unwiring it last night, which is why it looks like a bad hair day in that last photo. It needs to be repotted in the spring, then I'll work on getting it to back bud over the next year or so. Thatshould give me plenty of time to decide.

 

[Dav4]

Nice one, Brian. It's too bad Harry doesn't visit here anymore, as I'm positive he'd be quite happy you were the one to get this...as Adair said, it's a "front bencher".

 

[JudyB]

Thanks for starting a thread about this one. Don's got some stuff doesn't he?! I second the highly recommended words.
Please keep us updated on where this tree leads you, and how you make it yours, as I know you will.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice one, Brian. It's too bad Harry doesn't visit here anymore, as I'm positive he'd be quite happy you were the one to get this...as Adair said, it's a "front bencher".

Maybe if I start talking about how AL is going to roll over the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl, he'll show up!

 

[CHUCHIN]

I have followed this entire story. Great stuff

James

 

[Jaberwky17]

New favorite

I think Itoigawa is my new favorite word. It's fun to say, try it out loud.

Ee-toe-ee-Gaah-waah

You may now return to your previous conversation.

 

[Dav4]

Maybe if I start talking about how AL is going to roll over the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl, he'll show up!

I might have to send him a PM and see if I can lure him back...this could be fun!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Had some great help repotting this one today!