Happy New Year!
Thanks to everyone who has been watching this blog through its first year. Despite my infrequent posts, it has done much better than I expected with over 33 000 views since its inception last February!
Anyway, back to bonsai! This is my first work of 2013 – some thinning and coarse adjustments on a Siberian Elm. I posted some work on this tree back in July.
Siberian Elm, collected from hedge in April 2010.
This tree grows very fast. In the growing season it is cut back somewhat indiscriminately but in the winter I can really focus on the branching and use the new growth to take the tree to the next step.
After the work the tree looks quite pathetic, but the goal has been achieved: removing unnecessary new growth and cutting back the remaining twigs to one or two buds.
April 2010 before collecting.
March 2012
April 2011
Cool looking little beast. The Lenz pot is to die for too.
January 2, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Yes that tree has lots of character! I love the gnarly thick trunk and the pot is beautiful.
January 3, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Hi Ashley,
A “high fired” pot will be strong enough to survive the winter freeze. It is pretty easy to tell if a pot is high-fired. They are heavier and when you rap them with your knuckle they ring like a bell. If you are unsure of the durability of your pot, just slip the tree out, bury the rootball, and slip it back in in the spring.
January 3, 2013 at 1:46 pm