Wanting to Start a Bald Cypress Forest

[Apex37]

Thinking about doing a BC forest in the form of almost a bayou sort of setting. I'm thinking a really interesting brown pot or slab. Anyway, I'm trying to figure out an online outlet that sells nice groupings (preferably different size trees) of bald cypresses or shops people have bought bald cypress from and were happy.

Also, any tips on setting up a forest setting or have worked with bald cypress and done forest setting before would be awesome! I've watched a few videos online and know kinda basic stuff (do groupings in odd numbers, place larger trees closer for illusion of depth, etc.) Personally, I've never done a forest setting before. I'd like it to look a little better than some sticks in a pot, if I can help it. Lol

I appreciate any recommendations!

 

[Cadillactaste]

To make a good grouping you want a couple nicer more mature trees. #1 tree should be the nicest.

But this needs done in early spring at bud break. These don't do well repotting once they turn to brush for buds.

 

[Kanorin]

Agree with above. Nursery stock trees work quite well for forest plantings. I'd check out your local nurseries to see what they have - you can buy some now and wait until next spring to pot them into their container.

 

[PA_Penjing]

There's a youtube video by "billsBayou" (he's a memeber here) where he makes a bayou forest with BC. It should answer a lot of questions. He even does it on a big ass slab. Won't link it for you though because .. Im at work ... working .. shh

 

[Sekibonsai]

As stated already, might be a bit late in the season to do much more than get your materials together. The bigger/better material that goes into it, the greater the overall impact it will have. Kind of on my future project list to develop an extremely mature and large swamp composition... You should not immediately plop it into a final container or slab. Use something like a mortar pan or even a kiddie pool if you are going for epic proportions so that the trees grow like gangbusters giving you good material to work from.

This x2

 

[Apex37]

There's a youtube video by "billsBayou" (he's a memeber here) where he makes a bayou forest with BC. It should answer a lot of questions. He even does it on a big ass slab. Won't link it for you though because .. Im at work ... working .. shh

Thanks, I'll definite check it out!

 

[Cadillactaste]

As stated already, might be a bit late in the season to do much more than get your materials together. The bigger/better material that goes into it, the greater the overall impact it will have. Kind of on my future project list to develop an extremely mature and large swamp composition... You should not immediately plop it into a final container or slab. Use something like a mortar pan or even a kiddie pool if you are going for epic proportions so that the trees grow like gangbusters giving you good material to work from.

This x2View attachment 374172

Yours?

 

[Apex37]

As stated already, might be a bit late in the season to do much more than get your materials together. The bigger/better material that goes into it, the greater the overall impact it will have. Kind of on my future project list to develop an extremely mature and large swamp composition... You should not immediately plop it into a final container or slab. Use something like a mortar pan or even a kiddie pool if you are going for epic proportions so that the trees grow like gangbusters giving you good material to work from.

This x2View attachment 374172

That is really nice! Maybe this weekend I can run around and see what I can find. Surprisingly been hard to find many Bald Cypress lately. Most of the ones I find at nurseries are ready to plant, full grown trees and $1000+.

 

[Sekibonsai]

Yours?

I wish. Don't have a credit for that one so not sure who did it. Goalz...

 

[Cadillactaste]

I wish. Don't have a credit for that one so not sure who did it. Goalz...

Gotcha...I must say...I'm curious about the huge trees you collect...and ones further along. Since you've been in the hobby awhile.

 

[Sekibonsai]

Gotcha...I must say...I'm curious about the huge trees you collect...and ones further along. Since you've been in the hobby awhile.

Pretty much replied to you on that. Starting to think you're trolling...

 

[Forsoothe!]

I think that BC requirements are just like Tamarack and that slabs are slow suicide. They like wet feet and a slab is very difficult to keep wet, unless of course you are unemployed and tethered to the bench and never put down the hose. Otherwise, a deeper pot than ordinary would be a less problematic choice. The magnificent trees in post #5 not withstanding, the first order of business is to keep the trees alive, and I'd bet that the display by the creator of #5 is just one of many and has a bunch of attempts under his belt and you are looking at a special setting that sits in a larger vessel of organic media 99% of its life and is brought out for show, rarely. If that doesn't describe you and your likely setting, then maybe you should choose a more forgiving subject or setting.

 

[Sekibonsai]

I think that BC requirements are just like Tamarack and that slabs are slow suicide. They like wet feet and a slab is very difficult to keep wet, unless of course you are unemployed and tethered to the bench and never put down the hose. Otherwise, a deeper pot than ordinary would be a less problematic choice. The magnificent trees in post #5 not withstanding, the first order of business is to keep the trees alive, and I'd bet that the display by the creator of #5 is just one of many and has a bunch of attempts under his belt and you are looking at a special setting that sits in a larger vessel of organic media 99% of its life and is brought out for show, rarely. If that doesn't describe you and your likely setting, then maybe you should choose a more forgiving subject or setting.

Likely true. A lot can be done by submerging or with automated systems.

 

[Sekibonsai]

More from my old inspiration files. If anyone can identify the owners I'll gladly give credit.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Pretty much replied to you on that. Starting to think you're trolling...

Apparently...I missed your post addressing me on it. Mind sharing the link? Where I am not to ask to see photos of trees?


I'm trolling...because you have huge collected specimens...and I just wanted to see a more finished tree? Apparently I don't understand that rationalization...

*Note to self...one who has shared collected images of bald cypress...won't share finished images. Finds it offensive for one to ask. I just happen to love the species... If that makes me a troll...then, I guess I am one.

If my asking to see your trees is so offensive. You may want to put me on ignore. I'm a seasoned member here in good standing. I'm not sure how asking to share our trees is being a troll. we ask all the time to see people's trees.

 

[HENDO]

Check out my little BC forest. They don't have to be swamp monsters to make a nice little planting:

Post in thread 'Is this tree placement bad?' https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/is-this-tree-placement-bad.41116/post-732392

 

[HENDO]

Here's an update from this year and will post some update pics later today:
Thread 'Bald Cypress Forest Repot & Placement' https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/bald-cypress-forest-repot-placement.48139/

 

[Cadillactaste]

That is really nice! Maybe this weekend I can run around and see what I can find. Surprisingly been hard to find many Bald Cypress lately. Most of the ones I find at nurseries are ready to plant, full grown trees and $1000+.

I believe Mark Goodman was selling some on a yamadori group on Facebook. A group for forests. He is the admin of Bonsai Talk on Facebook.

The grouping may have sold. Because I can no longer find it. (Rules are to remove listing once sold. )

 

[HENDO]

I think that BC requirements are just like Tamarack and that slabs are slow suicide. They like wet feet and a slab is very difficult to keep wet, unless of course you are unemployed and tethered to the bench and never put down the hose. Otherwise, a deeper pot than ordinary would be a less problematic choice. The magnificent trees in post #5 not withstanding, the first order of business is to keep the trees alive, and I'd bet that the display by the creator of #5 is just one of many and has a bunch of attempts under his belt and you are looking at a special setting that sits in a larger vessel of organic media 99% of its life and is brought out for show, rarely. If that doesn't describe you and your likely setting, then maybe you should choose a more forgiving subject or setting.

Boo Hiss.

Rim the edges of the planting with muck, use 100% akadama, cover with moss. No issues here with slabs using the described Bill's Bayou technique, and there are even a few longstanding local examples of gigantic BC slab plantings here.

The only issue with BC on a slab is they grow like crazy and lift off!

If the goal is development of the BC into something larger, yes go ahead and put into a larger/deeper development container. But if you want to put a BC forest on a slab, do it! Just do it properly.

 

[Sekibonsai]

Apparently...I missed your post addressing me on it. Mind sharing the link? Where I am not to ask to see photos of trees?


I'm trolling...because you have huge collected specimens...and I just wanted to see a more finished tree? Apparently I don't understand that rationalization...

*Note to self...one who has shared collected images of bald cypress...won't share finished images. Finds it offensive for one to ask. I just happen to love the species... If that makes me a troll...then, I guess I am one.

If my asking to see your trees is so offensive. You may want to put me on ignore. I'm a seasoned member here in good standing. I'm not sure how asking to share our trees is being a troll. we ask all the time to see people's trees.

I was thinking it was trolling because you pretty much ask every time I post. It kind of reeks of "he must not know what he is talking about because he never shows finished trees" attack. Maybe I'm reading more into it.

I had a reply that I would see about cleaning some up for some progress shots. I have numerous irons in the fire so my bonsai time is limited and I'm not the best about taking portrait shots of my stuff in the very chaotic area I call my nursery; one gets tired of people then complaining about the back ground.... etc...