Shimpaku from Evergreen Gardenworks
- Thread starter Brian Van Fleet
- Start date
cmeg1
Imperial Masterpiece
Yea,awesome transformation.What a progression.
Wow that is the year I found this forum
Wow that is the year I found this forum
my nellie
Masterpiece
Thank you.
Like you already said, extending the first right branch and getting more foliage will put the tree to a higher stand.
But you have the knowledge to get it there!
BVF, it turns out the "sister tree" is tucked on my bench in Iowa.
See it back there?
There she is!
Todd Schlafer is visiting some of us in eastern Iowa this June. I've decided to discuss and focus on this juniper and its styling during his visit.
It was a bit pale when it arrived from Brent in the early spring/late winter, not surprisingly she was stilled dressed in her winter colors, but it's greened up, throwing shoots, and is growing vigorously as of May 28th.
I'll start a thread after Todd's visit at the end of June (so as not to distract from your progress here!)
Noah
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Sweet! Glad to know it’s with someone who posts here. Definitely start a progression thread on itwhe you and Todd get started on it. These two trees have some special history; yours got the curves, mine got the bulk! What about the one to the left of it, does it have a thread here yet?
BTW, my mom is from Iowa City, I grew up in Waterloo, and started Bonsai when attending ISU.
Special history, indeed. Although this tree is the "leaner" (i.e. skinnier) of the two sisters, I do think it has terrific potential.
The juniper to its left is also from Brent (massive base), as is the juniper on the far right, lower bench.
I "bundled" when I ordered from Evergreen Gardenworks this winter, and I'm thrilled with the material that arrived in March (thanks, Brent and Susie!). Brent is great, very accommodating, and I know I got a heck of a deal with the bundle package.
Anyway, no threads on any of these other junipers... they're basically recovering from relocation and will sit untouched this year. Next year perhaps I'll start formal threads on each tree.
Regarding the 41 year old "sister," we'll see what Todd has to say to my suggestions when he visits. I have some ideas, but it will be exciting and interesting to have the chance to bounce those ideas off him next month.
If mom is still here with us in IC, and you ever come to visit, be sure to reach out.
Noah
The juniper to its left is also from Brent (massive base), as is the juniper on the far right, lower bench.
I "bundled" when I ordered from Evergreen Gardenworks this winter, and I'm thrilled with the material that arrived in March (thanks, Brent and Susie!). Brent is great, very accommodating, and I know I got a heck of a deal with the bundle package.
Anyway, no threads on any of these other junipers... they're basically recovering from relocation and will sit untouched this year. Next year perhaps I'll start formal threads on each tree.
Regarding the 41 year old "sister," we'll see what Todd has to say to my suggestions when he visits. I have some ideas, but it will be exciting and interesting to have the chance to bounce those ideas off him next month.
If mom is still here with us in IC, and you ever come to visit, be sure to reach out.
Noah
defra
Masterpiece
Very nice progression thread brian !
Thnx for sharing inspiration
Thnx for sharing inspiration
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Lightly trimmed back strong runners in the upper parts over the weekend. I’ll be eager to repot this one into the correct planting angle next spring.
Daluke
Mame
What angle do you think you’ll go for?
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
@Brian Van Fleet ,
I have learned a ton from your postings/threads, and will continue too as I gain my experience with my own trees. I would be lucky to meet you and wicked psyched to see even one of your trees if not your entire collection in person. But I have a question for you to reflect on and for some of us that look to be at your level of experience, compassion, and dedication and will be hanging on every word of the answer to learn from:
What would you have done differently? I know most, ALL, question our own decisions on cuts and styles and wished we did something different, curious how you feel about it? Or with more experience like yours, we will learn to "work the tree that is infront of you" and forget the "what if's"...…………………... But still curious. Thanks for sharing the progression.
I have learned a ton from your postings/threads, and will continue too as I gain my experience with my own trees. I would be lucky to meet you and wicked psyched to see even one of your trees if not your entire collection in person. But I have a question for you to reflect on and for some of us that look to be at your level of experience, compassion, and dedication and will be hanging on every word of the answer to learn from:
What would you have done differently? I know most, ALL, question our own decisions on cuts and styles and wished we did something different, curious how you feel about it? Or with more experience like yours, we will learn to "work the tree that is infront of you" and forget the "what if's"...…………………... But still curious. Thanks for sharing the progression.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
What would you have done with it? Look back through the thread. Where would your styling decisions be different? Then I’ll share a couple specific things I would have done differently, that would change everything about how this tree looks now.
LOL! nice one, kick it back!
Being that I am still learning and aren't we always with Bonsai! I wont presume to know many different styling paths for your creation.
I would say, that I am bias to larger trees and I know some say make the smallest tree out of what you have, but again, with the tree as you got, or rather a few years after with all that vigor, I was thinking of utilizing more of the branching it had. But I have a tendency to forget proportion sometimes. I sometimes like the raw thick "bushing" that Shimp's have, much like you started with. I know it is contradictory to traditionalists, but it is, to me , attractive and natural.
I also agreed with Dorothy's comments, and making a tiered type of styling. But again no one can knock what you have created, just trying to pick your brain via the internet, haha.
So in my limited styling experience, perhaps used more of the branching it had and/or the 2 tiered, similar to Dorothy's picture and comments.
thanks for sharing with us all. it is helpful for me.
Being that I am still learning and aren't we always with Bonsai! I wont presume to know many different styling paths for your creation.
I would say, that I am bias to larger trees and I know some say make the smallest tree out of what you have, but again, with the tree as you got, or rather a few years after with all that vigor, I was thinking of utilizing more of the branching it had. But I have a tendency to forget proportion sometimes. I sometimes like the raw thick "bushing" that Shimp's have, much like you started with. I know it is contradictory to traditionalists, but it is, to me , attractive and natural.
I also agreed with Dorothy's comments, and making a tiered type of styling. But again no one can knock what you have created, just trying to pick your brain via the internet, haha.
So in my limited styling experience, perhaps used more of the branching it had and/or the 2 tiered, similar to Dorothy's picture and comments.
thanks for sharing with us all. it is helpful for me.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
By kicking it back to you, you’re getting to think through complex material, applying your styling preferences and pruning decisions, rather than hitting the site like a Pez dispenser. It will make you better when you have a difficult tree in front of you.
So are you suggesting you would have kept both branches at the first split? Go all the way back to the early shots when it was still an option and make a virt. Does it work? Why, why not? I spent 2 years mulling the decision. I still don’t know if it was the “right” call, but due to the placement, lack of taper and lack of branching in close, I decided it would make a better jin. Otherwise, it was headed for a semi-cascade, which I almost despise as a style.?
"rather than hitting the site like a Pez dispenser." Ouch!! That rock that is on your shoulder must hurt.
I didn't get 2 years to look at, and would be fortunate when I do find one that I will get too. in the mean time I will work with what I DO have and work them. I mentioned Dorothy's and if grown out it might work or might not...I was in no way criticizing what you did do. Im just learning as I go.
Best of luck on your future plans with the tree, I will watch for it, as I like your work as well as others on here.
Pez dispenser, haha....You got jokes! ROTFLMAO.
I didn't get 2 years to look at, and would be fortunate when I do find one that I will get too. in the mean time I will work with what I DO have and work them. I mentioned Dorothy's and if grown out it might work or might not...I was in no way criticizing what you did do. Im just learning as I go.
Best of luck on your future plans with the tree, I will watch for it, as I like your work as well as others on here.
Pez dispenser, haha....You got jokes! ROTFLMAO.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Not sure I understand what you’re saying here, but I do not sense any criticism from you, and maybe you’re inferring a tone from me that isn’t there. Just trying to have a discussion about what you or I, or anyone for that matter, would do differently. I do understand it is difficult to do by photos, but I figured if I’m going to make the effort to answer your question, perhaps you would do the same. It’s not going to hurt my feelings at all. The tree is what it is at this point.
I hope your are NOT sensing a criticism, as I am not one to criticize anything or anyone. I quoted your previous statement you made about "hitting the site like a Pez dispenser"
I wasn't sure how to take that other than a dig/sarcasm/whatever. Im a big boy and can handle it, but not sure what you meant by it.
I did want a discussion and offered what thoughts I had. One of my criticisms of myself is that I probably don't cut enough or leave branches or whatever to long or maybe not in proportion. But I do like more natural trees, than the left,right, back, branching discipline. So in getting back to the tree and answering what you asked, I was saying leaving more branches and work with them, jin or otherwise. Also liked Dorothy's comments as they were in line with what I might have seen for the tree when you got it and increased the vigor(bravo by the way), she mentioned tilting and possibly a 2 triangle type of tree. But now that you have said you don't like cascades(would probably agree on that as well) I now see how you ended up with cutting one side to jin.
Again, I am merely trying to learn anyway possible, and by asking those that are more experienced has been beneficial, in Bonsai and life in general.
So that's maybe what I was seeing, to answer your question on what I saw for the tree. But as you noted, tough to do with pictures.
Lastly, tough for anyone to play the shoulda, woulda, coulda scenario's, so maybe I shouldn't have asked. but again, just trying to learn from those that know and have done more than I.
Keep on doin' what you do, and I will keep learning from the sidelines sort a speak. thanks.
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
The first thing I would have done differently is to have protected the live vein, circled in yellow, by starting the carving of the trunk lower, or closer to the live vein:
This would have kept the only branch alive that was fed by the the live vein on the left. That live vein had great movement and it was tough to lose it. Here is the point where the carving ended up weakening the branch:
Notice how wide I made the Shari on the right trunk? Had it been smaller and started closer to the left live vein, it would have left more styling options where everything flowed to the right, accentuated by a live vein still present on the left.
I believe I can still get this design for the most part, but i don’t like the interaction between trunk and foliage right now. I’m still not convinced this is the front. Could be the back by the time it’s all done. This shows the widest base, but the other side has more interest and shows better interaction between life and death. I’ll repot it next spring maybe into a round pot and consider it for a couple years.
This would have kept the only branch alive that was fed by the the live vein on the left. That live vein had great movement and it was tough to lose it. Here is the point where the carving ended up weakening the branch:
Notice how wide I made the Shari on the right trunk? Had it been smaller and started closer to the left live vein, it would have left more styling options where everything flowed to the right, accentuated by a live vein still present on the left.
I believe I can still get this design for the most part, but i don’t like the interaction between trunk and foliage right now. I’m still not convinced this is the front. Could be the back by the time it’s all done. This shows the widest base, but the other side has more interest and shows better interaction between life and death. I’ll repot it next spring maybe into a round pot and consider it for a couple years.
@Brian Van Fleet ,
At first I read your comments and evaluated the pictures and tried to teach myself the meanings and "why's" of what you were saying on this last post. Forgive my ignorance, but I had multiple questions. Of course, I spent more time looking at your pics and trying to learn rather than just ask, which is better for remembering anyways. I got a little closer to understanding. But had to type out a paragraph with some questions.
Then, the light went off!! I said this looks like the one on his blog...and Bingo! I was able to answer a majority of questions, but also made me think of more(some other time, ha) by following your work. But your multiple posts and pics on their, assisted me in understanding more on how live veins and carvings work. I am working with some San Jose's currently, to gain experience on the nuances of live veins and deadwood. I still have a ways to go, but am further along than a week ago. So thanks for that.
I also will say it never gets old seeing progressions, and this is no different. When I see the pic of 12/10(date may be wrong) of how it was advertised to you...simply amazing.
Furthermore, with hearing you mention the now back side, and those older pics, I can see how it could 180 in another direction. You probably planned that with your styling, by leaving options, and yet another thing I will need to work on.
Look forward to more.
At first I read your comments and evaluated the pictures and tried to teach myself the meanings and "why's" of what you were saying on this last post. Forgive my ignorance, but I had multiple questions. Of course, I spent more time looking at your pics and trying to learn rather than just ask, which is better for remembering anyways. I got a little closer to understanding. But had to type out a paragraph with some questions.
Then, the light went off!! I said this looks like the one on his blog...and Bingo! I was able to answer a majority of questions, but also made me think of more(some other time, ha) by following your work. But your multiple posts and pics on their, assisted me in understanding more on how live veins and carvings work. I am working with some San Jose's currently, to gain experience on the nuances of live veins and deadwood. I still have a ways to go, but am further along than a week ago. So thanks for that.
I also will say it never gets old seeing progressions, and this is no different. When I see the pic of 12/10(date may be wrong) of how it was advertised to you...simply amazing.
Furthermore, with hearing you mention the now back side, and those older pics, I can see how it could 180 in another direction. You probably planned that with your styling, by leaving options, and yet another thing I will need to work on.
Look forward to more.
