Rudd’s Chojubai #1

[Ruddigger]

This is a white Chojubai that I purchased from Dylan Ferreira at the GSBF Rendezvous in October 2023.



The stone is actually 5 stones that I cemented together. They are Lace Rocks from a local aquarium store. The pot is from @NaoTK

February 2024 I placed the tree on the stone and did a first styling. The fern on the left is a rabbit foot fern from Left Coast Bonsai. I use basically a 50/50 mix of wet long fiber sphagnum and potting soil instead of muck.



It grew well on the stone, here it is a month later.



Some of the wire began cutting in on the heavier bends, so last month I unwired it, there was quite a bit of bounceback.



And rewired with copper June 2024.



Some thoughts on this species. It has been pushing flowers non stop since I got it, but I’ve been plucking them off to try to push energy to ramification. I’ve gotten some ramification now, I’m going to start letting it keep the flowers. Also, the flexibility is insane. I pulled off some really tight bends.

 

[Carol 83]

Great transformation. I don't usually like green pots but that @NaoTK pot is gorgeous.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

This is a white Chojubai that I purchased from Dylan Ferreira at the GSBF Rendezvous in October 2023.

View attachment 551405

The stone is actually 5 stones that I cemented together. They are Lace Rocks from a local aquarium store. The pot is from @NaoTK

February 2024 I placed the tree on the stone and did a first styling. The fern on the left is a rabbit foot fern from Left Coast Bonsai. I use basically a 50/50 mix of wet long fiber sphagnum and potting soil instead of muck.

View attachment 551409

It grew well on the stone, here it is a month later.

View attachment 551408

Some of the wire began cutting in on the heavier bends, so last month I unwired it, there was quite a bit of bounceback.

View attachment 551407

And rewired with copper June 2024.

View attachment 551406

Some thoughts on this species. It has been pushing flowers non stop since I got it, but I’ve been plucking them off to try to push energy to ramification. I’ve gotten some ramification now, I’m going to start letting it keep the flowers. Also, the flexibility is insane. I pulled off some really tight bends.

That's really awesome and impressive in a short time. Do you have any pictures of when you attached it to the rock you formed? Great rock formation idea too. Very well done.

 

[Mike Westervelt]

What a lovely composition! Can't wait to see it in bloom.

 

[Ruddigger]

That's really awesome and impressive in a short time. Do you have any pictures of when you attached it to the rock you formed? Great rock formation idea too. Very well done.

Those first two pictures were taken the same day. The literal before and after.

I found these pictures that I took in January 2024, one month before I put it on the rock.

 

[Paradox]

@Ruddigger
So you put the wire on in January but didn't do the actual bending and shaping until February when you put it on the rock?

 

[Ruddigger]

@Ruddigger
So you put the wire on in January but didn't do the actual bending and shaping until February when you put it on the rock?

Correct. The branches were all twisted together, so I basically put the wire on and un tangled everything in preparation for the rock planting I knew I wanted to do. After I put it on the rock a few more wires had to be added.

 

[Ruddigger]

Update:

It continues to grow well. I’m getting more ramification emerging and even a few flowers.

 

[gooeytek]

That is some impressive progress! I like following your work.

 

[Calnicky]

Really cool project. Probably above my pay grade but I'm already scouting about for Lace Rock and something suitable to wire to it. Very fun.

 

[Dutch bonsai chef]

Really cool composition! Gives me Inspiration for a bushy trunkless mugo i have. Is there a special cement you used for the stones?

 

[Ruddigger]

Really cool composition! Gives me Inspiration for a bushy trunkless mugo i have. Is there a special cement you used for the stones?

Thanks. I used this stuff.