BC 5

[Barbells and bonsai]

This was in clay/shell and hard to dig but reminds me of a mini “twister”.
I usually choose trees with pronounced knees but this one only has a couple small ones growing off flutes.

 

[johng]

that is a nice one...I would cover the exposed end of that root or it is likely to die back. When I see things like that I try to go back and recut the bottom of the root mass so that it will sit lower in the container. When you go to move that one into a bonsai container you might have issues with the depth.

 

[Barbells and bonsai]

that is a nice one...I would cover the exposed end of that root or it is likely to die back. When I see things like that I try to go back and recut the bottom of the root mass so that it will sit lower in the container. When you go to move that one into a bonsai container you might have issues with the depth.

Got it! I was unsure what to do with that root as it has what looks to me a small knee attached. I was considering wedge cutting it so that the top remained but very little underneath. Thoughts?
Thank you

 

[johng]

Got it! I was unsure what to do with that root as it has what looks to me a small knee attached. I was considering wedge cutting it so that the top remained but very little underneath. Thoughts?
Thank you

I would get it to live first and then make a decision on how to handle it later... Often roots like that will produce roots from the bottom side...so, a wedge cut as you describe might not be the best idea.

 

[Barbells and bonsai]

Trying to decide where to chop the trunk.
What do you guys think about this? I have a rubber band where I’m planning

 

[Cajunrider]

It depends on the design you have in mind. If you are thinking informal upright, then it is about right. However, I have seen @johng's beautiful trees with the chops being way higher than where you have the rubber band.

 

[Cajunrider]

As expected, the advice you got from @johng on FB is spot on. The chop should be much higher to utilize the beautiful taper this tree already has.

 

[Barbells and bonsai]

It depends on the design you have in mind. If you are thinking informal upright, then it is about right. However, I have seen @johng's beautiful trees with the chops being way higher than where you have the rubber band.

Great advice as always, due to said advice I’m going to leave it taller than originally anticipated and make the chop today at the recommended point for a flat top.