Progress Thread for my Shimpaku

[jkennedy2316]

Having spent some more time on BonsaiNut - I've learned the preferred approach for requesting beginner advice is to consolidate a tree into a single thread. This will also be useful for me to keep track of previous work / thought processes. So here we are.

Part 1: Purchase
I wanted to invest more seriously in more developed stock that I can turn into a statement piece for my bench while I work on smaller more approachable nursery stock projects. I spoke frequently with the seller, told him that have a lot of work in progress nursery stock bonsai but was specifically looking to buy a more mature established specimen to show off as a focal point in the collection while the rest of the development bonsai take shape over the next years. I wanted a tree that I could feasibly repot into a bonsai pot this coming spring.

I know that C shaped trunks aren't always loved here, but I went with this one because a windswept style was leaping out at me. I understand I am choosing a difficult style to implement and I'm okay with being shown the door if folks disagree with the vision. The seller also was working towards that style because of the lack of branching on the vertical main trunk.


After receiving the tree, I slip potted it into bonsai substrate about 3 weeks ago.

Where to go from here?

I live in Washington DC, zone 8a. We've had an extremely mild late fall / early winter. Because of that, I was plannning on doing some strategic pruning / thinning of the apex as its quite overdeveloped compared to the rest of the tree. I want to try and thin this out to open up air and light to the lower parts of the tree to encourage budding in Spring. I think this will help achieve the windswept style more.

Any concerns, suggestions, or insights?

Otherwise I will post an update after I do some selective pruning of the top.

 

[jkennedy2316]

question about pot selection. I am interested in a large crescent pot if I can find one. I think this tree can stand up to the striking element of a crescent pot and the C trunk will compliment it well. If anyone with more experience is reading, would this tree be better served by a more traditional pot?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I think a crescent pot would mimic the trunk shape too much and it would look like a copy and paste of half circles.
I'd set the foliage pads first and see what would match the design instead of using the trunk only to match a pot.

 

[jkennedy2316]

I think a crescent pot would mimic the trunk shape too much and it would look like a copy and paste of half circles.
I'd set the foliage pads first and see what would match the design instead of using the trunk only to match a pot.

Thanks for the feedback. I've had a number of vets chime in with similar points, e.g. "We’re always caught between doing what we want and what’s best for the tree."

Made me realize I need to reverse the order of operations here. My priority now is pad development.

 

[jkennedy2316]

I am going to do some strategic pruning of the apex this week to try and redirect growth to lower portions of the tree. Not sure how much I want to take off yet. Long term, I am not sure how to handle the apex for design. It seems too tall to keep the rest of tree in proportion. I want to try and wire the branches down into the negatives space below the top of the C trunk. I suppose I could go with an ‘act of god’ tenjin… but no offense intended … I think deadwood is overdone.