I purchased this Gray Oak right before Spring 2021 from Alvaro at Cho Bonsai. It was a yamadori that was collected about 2 years prior. I was looking for something different, not a typical large base wide canopy oak. I wanted something that look like from the plains/arid condition rather than a well nourished oak.
During Spring 2021 it grew vigorously and added lots of foliar mass. Nothing was done, except heavy feeding and careful management of watering.
During the Fall, watering was carefully management to increase fine root ramification for the potential of a repot in 2022. I found a Sara Rayner pot that fit the composition, and decided that the Oak would be repotted in 2022. Buds started pushing early this year, so I decided to repot a little earlier to not miss the optimal window for a repot. About 60-70% of the fine roots were untouched as they were already growing in APL mix with some old collecting soil. I reduced the root mass from the side that had the least amount of fine roots which incidentally was the side with the most field soil. Further reduction of the large root was done but the majority was kept due to the movement that it adds to the composition. A 3:1:1 APL mix was used, as it appeared to like water but at a same time be in an airy mix.
Two potential fronts are posted, it will depend on how the tree responds. The third photo shows a closeup of the bark and detailed deadwood. This years main focus will be foliar growth, with a potential of some styling in Fall. Most likely the final structure will be set in 2023.
During Spring 2021 it grew vigorously and added lots of foliar mass. Nothing was done, except heavy feeding and careful management of watering.
During the Fall, watering was carefully management to increase fine root ramification for the potential of a repot in 2022. I found a Sara Rayner pot that fit the composition, and decided that the Oak would be repotted in 2022. Buds started pushing early this year, so I decided to repot a little earlier to not miss the optimal window for a repot. About 60-70% of the fine roots were untouched as they were already growing in APL mix with some old collecting soil. I reduced the root mass from the side that had the least amount of fine roots which incidentally was the side with the most field soil. Further reduction of the large root was done but the majority was kept due to the movement that it adds to the composition. A 3:1:1 APL mix was used, as it appeared to like water but at a same time be in an airy mix.
Two potential fronts are posted, it will depend on how the tree responds. The third photo shows a closeup of the bark and detailed deadwood. This years main focus will be foliar growth, with a potential of some styling in Fall. Most likely the final structure will be set in 2023.
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