What did you do today? Show us Pic Required

[River's Edge]

love the scrutiny around pots... will get there one day ...

Top shows and private collections can be awesome for studying the match of pot and tree. The show books can often be obtained even without attending. Great learning resource for matching pots to trees. The obvious drawback is that we have difficulty sourcing similar pots. It can take a lot of time and sorting through to find what one is looking for. I do enjoy the opportunity to have some selection when it presents itself. One needs to be cautious though, the sellers information is not always accurate.

 

[River's Edge]

How did you like Tokoname? And did you do a tour or just walk around? I plan to visit at the end of March and get some pots as well. Nice selection!

This was not my first visit to Tokoname, so I had an idea of what I was specifically interested in. My first visit was on a small group tour and I would recommend that for several reasons. First the tour guide can arrange appointments with the various potters. Second the transportation is arranged and coordinated with local drivers and translators if needed. Thirdly the tour guides often have arrangements for group purchases and discounts with some of the kilns.
Check ahead to be sure that the kilns that interest you are still operating and that they have a selection to choose from. The industry is shrinking in Japan and inflation has affected the pricing considerably. Do not expect bargains unless you have the time to travel and check out the used market in smaller nurseries and kilns off the beaten path. It is easy to come across unexpected fees for packaging, shipping, duties and taxes. I can't speak for US regulations. There are travel agents who specialize in Bonsai trips located in the USA. Others could suggest names, one that I am familiar with is Kora Dalager based in Oregon. She could give you better advice.

 

[Faisal Ahmad]

Setup my Water jasmine, size is shohin or mame

Style chokan

 

[Carol 83]

Unpacking pots today and photographing for easy review of what is on the shelf! The first four to brighten my day from the snow and cold. I like to note size and maker for reference when trying to match with trees. Takes a bit of time but well worth it as opposed to going looking underneath the bubble wrap.View attachment 583399View attachment 583400View attachment 583401View attachment 583402

Love that Koyo

 

[River's Edge]

Love that Koyo

In that case, How about this one? I unpacked it yesterday as well.

 

[shohin_branches]

Packed my pots to help teach a workshop on showing trees tomorrow.
How it started:

The carnage:


This workshop is a lot of prep but it's always a lot of fun and we only do it every other year

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Been a pretty cold stretch for proper aftercare for reporting, and the cold houses are full of recently rewired trees.

So in our volunteer job we’ve been taking off old wire, cleaning trunks and deadwood.

Along the way we’ve been testing out a nifty cleaning tool!



Here are images of some of the deadwood sections we worked on. (Some of the lime sulfur is still wet, hence the yellow tint.)




Cheers
DSD sends

 

[River's Edge]

Packed my pots to help teach a workshop on showing trees tomorrow.
How it started:
View attachment 583526
The carnage:
View attachment 583528
View attachment 583527
This workshop is a lot of prep but it's always a lot of fun and we only do it every other year

The pot/tree selection exercise is great practise. Great time of year to combine with various developmental stages in addition to choices for display. I think it pays to combine with species requirements for greater depth or recovery after certain techniques have been applied.

Been a pretty cold stretch for proper aftercare for reporting, and the cold houses are full of recently rewired trees.

So in our volunteer job we’ve been taking off old wire, cleaning trunks and deadwood.

Along the way we’ve been testing out a nifty cleaning tool!

View attachment 583538

Here are images of some of the deadwood sections we worked on. (Some of the lime sulfur is still wet, hence the yellow tint.)

View attachment 583529View attachment 583530View attachment 583531View attachment 583532View attachment 583533
View attachment 583534

Cheers
DSD sends

Here is a similar tool that is sold for spot cleaning in the garment industry. Also very effective for deadwood!, Sells for about $40 if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thanks Frank.

That design tested by the team earlier and this one tested now appears superior? Wasn’t there for that part.

Apparently it’s the type used in Japan by the pros. That said, bet it came from the cleaning folks and was modified for bonsai use…possible just the straight variable jet valve may be the biggest modification… although the power is apparently beefed up and the big remote reservoir is a must for large bonsai work,

We actually tested it for three weeks the earlier week we tested it on two large Satsuki,

Thread Tax



Cheers
DSD sends

 

[River's Edge]

Thanks Frank.

That design tested by the team earlier and this one tested now appears superior? Wasn’t there for that part.

Apparently it’s the type used in Japan by the pros. That said, bet it came from the cleaning folks and was modified for bonsai use…possible just the straight variable jet valve may be the biggest modification… although the power is apparently beefed up and the big remote reservoir is a must for large bonsai work,

We actually tested it for three weeks the earlier week we tested it on two large Satsuki,

Thread Tax

View attachment 583565

Cheers
DSD sends

Agreed, the one I posted is a cheaper alternative and parts can be an issue! After the first one was replaced I have had no difficulty with the replacement. The size of my collection does not warrant the more expensive version. If this one breaks down I will go back to the toothbrush. I use it primarily for two trees my large collected Sierra and smaller Alaskan Yellow Cedar.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nice trees! Yes. That’s for sure.

Can honestly say after six years of scrubbing trunks and deadwood, for example the trees below, will never go back to ye olde toothbrush, except for small stuff, or in a jam. Have found the larger trees we work on takes somewhere between 45 mins to 70 mins to clean the entire trunk, branches and deadwood, where by hand some trees take 2-3 hours.





While experimenting, found out by varying the pressure, and using a nitrile gloved off hand as a shield, a person can clean off at least secondary and often tertiary branching, without averse effect on most of winter foliage.

There have been spent many hours testing.

Presently we use a pressure washer with an hand gun on a pressure washer with an adjustable pressure device to rootwash azaleas, upgrade from a watering wand. Thinking this tool also can also be used for the similar purpose.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[shohin_branches]

We are swapping out pots and discussing how they work with trees.

 

[MalsRFun in TN]

Went to a root over rock workshop with members of the Chattanooga and Knoxville clubs. Made my first ROR Trident maple.

 

[The Barber]

Attended our monthly Central Kentucky Bonsai Society meeting. John Cole gave a presentation on pots and pottery.

I ended up buying 11 pots...because why not.

 

[Scriv]

Did a first pass on these Kishu whips... before/after.

Also testing out the new clay bg and took pics during the day. Hoping the photography is @Ruddigger approved.

 

[leatherback]

invasive surgery transplanting a large 'little princess' japanese maple into trainingpot.

 

[DaveNuts]

Potted up this Paul's Scarlet hawthorn from a poorly draining box into one of my own pots. Lots of root work required today, hopefully less next time!

Tree height is about 18 inches from base of pot.

 

[KateM]

Trimmed a birds nest spruce

 

[bdmatt]

Worked on a california juniper today. Took about 7 hours. Might start a thread on this one

 

[yashu]

Not today but last night… so within the last 24 hours I cleaned up the half dozen crape myrtles in a pot I picked up a little bit ago.