Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Just found this image on Pinterest...no information on it. Just a photo...but it intrigued me. Can one create a cascade with this technique?
Is this a proper technique to create a cascade
- Thread starter Cadillactaste
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jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Yup. You can. And many do.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Poink88
Imperial Masterpiece
I've read different styles to attain a natural windswept or cascade and here are a few.
1. wiring
2. temporarily planting the tree in the "wrong" position so it looks upright.
3. tilting the pot
4. inverting the pot (almost like that topsy turvy planter for tomatoes)
5. reflector at bottom (i.e. mirror, pond, etc.)
6. putting trees against a wall (preferably non-reflective)
7. any combination of the above when possible.
There are many ways...just find what works for you.
1. wiring
2. temporarily planting the tree in the "wrong" position so it looks upright.
3. tilting the pot
4. inverting the pot (almost like that topsy turvy planter for tomatoes)
5. reflector at bottom (i.e. mirror, pond, etc.)
6. putting trees against a wall (preferably non-reflective)
7. any combination of the above when possible.
There are many ways...just find what works for you.
edprocoat
Masterpiece
I think of all the methods available wiring would be the most certain and perhaps the most direct (quickest) way. Getting the trunk line down first would allow you to work on the branching and pads if thats the way you wanted to go with it.
ed
ed
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Yes, lots of different ways.
Hopefully also a cooperative tree that is willing to conform to your wishes.
I think most are sucessful, but you do get some trees that are stubborn for whatever reason or another.
Hopefully also a cooperative tree that is willing to conform to your wishes.
I think most are sucessful, but you do get some trees that are stubborn for whatever reason or another.
nathanbs
Omono
here is a ficus that started as a 1/4" whip that I won off a club raffle table and then I trained as a cascade. I'm learning as I go. I need to simplify things a bit, but for now Ill let it develop a little further because bonsai can certainly be one of those things where the pieces sometimes just fall into place.
Attachments
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
How long have you been training it? I think...WOW! From a 1/4" whip...that is impressive. I think long term can have its benefits of watching something develop into more. Thanks for sharing...
Now...those beautiful blooms behind it keep distracting me. May I see a photo of that better?
nathanbs
Omono
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
approx 2-3 years. The blooms are a landscape bougainvillea not a bonsai yet
Not a bad return on your time...with that cascade...
Ahhh bougainvillea...I was curious...beautiful color it has.
october
Masterpiece
Trees can already be cascades if they have one very strong downward growing branch. Sometimes a tree can be turned on it's side and then repotted on the new angle. Sometimes you can do a combination of these things. Also, augmenting a strong down ward branch by wiring is another way. Also and I feel that this is important, to make a tree a cascade just to make it a cascade is not how it should be. If the tree lends itself to that style, whether heavily of vaguely, then it should be done or if changing it's current state to a cascade might be the only option.
Here is an example. This was a San Jose Juniper I have been training for around 8 years. It started as a terribly informal upright. Realizing this, I change the tree completely and worked for about 4 years to make a better tree. Which, at the time, I thought was a cascade. After about 5 years, in training, the tree got a terrible fungal disease that nearly killed it. It also, pretty much ruined the design. However, I thought the tree still had potential, but no longer as a cascade. So it went back to an informal upright. However, this time it made for a much better informal upright that it originally was.
First rough styling. It would not have made a good informal upright, even in a few years.
Over a couple of years, I reduced the tree to one branch. Planning on developing a cascade.
The tree was planed in a new pot on a new angle. In about 1 1/2 years, a whole new tree grew from one small pad.
The tree was planted in a crescent rock pot to accommodate the new root ball. Still, not a great bonsai, but it was coming along.
It was shortly after the last pic that the tree became very sick. It took 2 years to nurse it back to health. After it regained some health and the cascade style was practically ruined. I thought it might make a nice informal upright. However, we are now back to almost the beginning of it's training. Basically after 7 years, I am starting over again because I feel in the long run it will be a better bonsai and this is what the tree should now be.
Rob
Here is an example. This was a San Jose Juniper I have been training for around 8 years. It started as a terribly informal upright. Realizing this, I change the tree completely and worked for about 4 years to make a better tree. Which, at the time, I thought was a cascade. After about 5 years, in training, the tree got a terrible fungal disease that nearly killed it. It also, pretty much ruined the design. However, I thought the tree still had potential, but no longer as a cascade. So it went back to an informal upright. However, this time it made for a much better informal upright that it originally was.
First rough styling. It would not have made a good informal upright, even in a few years.
Over a couple of years, I reduced the tree to one branch. Planning on developing a cascade.
The tree was planed in a new pot on a new angle. In about 1 1/2 years, a whole new tree grew from one small pad.
The tree was planted in a crescent rock pot to accommodate the new root ball. Still, not a great bonsai, but it was coming along.
It was shortly after the last pic that the tree became very sick. It took 2 years to nurse it back to health. After it regained some health and the cascade style was practically ruined. I thought it might make a nice informal upright. However, we are now back to almost the beginning of it's training. Basically after 7 years, I am starting over again because I feel in the long run it will be a better bonsai and this is what the tree should now be.
Rob
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Trees can already be cascades if they have one very strong downward growing branch. Sometimes a tree can be turned on it's side and then repotted on the new angle. Sometimes you can do a combination of these things. Also, augmenting a strong down ward branch by wiring is another way. Also and I feel that this is important, to make a tree a cascade just to make it a cascade is not how it should be. If the tree lends itself to that style, whether heavily of vaguely, then it should be done or if changing it's current state to a cascade might be the only option.
Here is an example. This was a San Jose Juniper I have been training for around 8 years. It started as a terribly informal upright. Realizing this, I change the tree completely and worked for about 4 years to make a better tree. Which, at the time, I thought was a cascade. After about 5 years, in training, the tree got a terrible fungal disease that nearly killed it. It also, pretty much ruined the design. However, I thought the tree still had potential, but no longer as a cascade. So it went back to an informal upright. However, this time it made for a much better informal upright that it originally was.
First rough styling. It would not have made a good informal upright, even in a few years.
Over a couple of years, I reduced the tree to one branch. Planning on developing a cascade.
The tree was planed in a new pot on a new angle. In about 1 1/2 years, a whole new tree grew from one small pad.
The tree was planted in a crescent rock pot to accommodate the new root ball. Still, not a great bonsai, but it was coming along.
It was shortly after the last pic that the tree became very sick. It took 2 years to nurse it back to health. After it regained some health and the cascade style was practically ruined. I thought it might make a nice informal upright. However, we are now back to almost the beginning of it's training. Basically after 7 years, I am starting over again because I feel in the long run it will be a better bonsai and this is what the tree should now be.
Rob
It's amazing to see what obstacles you over came...and the end result is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Gonzoe
Sapling
Did you ever end up giving this a try?Thanks...appreciate that! Something I might have to do...one day.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
I've many cascades... but this was my most raw material chosen. A true stick in a pot. A Paul's Scarlett Hawthorn on it's own roots.
I've a huge soft spot for a cascade. Be it semi or regular. Many on my bench because of the draw.
Gonzoe
Sapling
I agree, such an elegant and unnatural yet natural look, if you know what I mean lol I sound crazy but it’s very organic despite fighting gravity to get there. True fighters
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
My thought process with this one. It will never be a yamadori...so I added sinuous movement..as I had come across small Paul's Scarlett Hawthorn in such method. It made sense. If it could not have a gnarly history. It would have sinuous movement. There most definitely was a method to my madness.I agree, such an elegant and unnatural yet natural look, if you know what I mean lol I sound crazy but it’s very organic despite fighting gravity to get there. True fighters
Gonzoe
Sapling
Evil Bonsai GeniusMy thought process with this one. It will never be a yamadori...so I added sinuous movement..as I had come across small Paul's Scarlett Hawthorn in such method. It made sense. If it could not have a gnarly history. It would have sinuous movement. There most definitely was a method to my madness.
