Getting ready an olive for restyling

Three years in the past I acquired a big olive that had come from the Blue Oak Nursery assortment.

Olive, July 2020

Though the tree was in want of styling, I wished to gauge the well being of the tree earlier than continuing.

After letting it develop for a 12 months, I repotted it right into a deeper container.

After pruning the roots

As you’ll be able to see, the trunk flare is nearly two toes throughout!

The deeper pot helped, however after two years, there was little new progress.

July 2022

That fall the began rising like loopy. By November it was coated with 24″ shoots from the highest to the underside (I don’t have a photograph).

This was the signal I used to be in search of. I trimmed the tree earlier than winter and repotted it in early spring. By this summer season it had placed on one other flush of progress and was prepared for styling. Right here’s the tree after pruning and wiring.

August, 2023, styling by Adam Toth.

The tree didn’t miss a beat and continued rising into fall.

Olive, early November, 2023 – 37″ tall, container by Sara Rayner

I really feel just like the tree responded precisely the way in which I wished it too, however I don’t know if it might have responded as nicely if I’d labored on it earlier. Both manner, it reinforces for me the concept there are advantages to ready to see sturdy progress earlier than doing plenty of work on a tree.

Information & Updates

• The Golden State Bonsai Federation Rendezvous is that this weekend, October 20-22, on the Lodge Mission de Oro in Santa Nella, California.

  Similar day and weekend registrations are nonetheless obtainable. Registration contains seminars from quite a lot of academics, demonstrations from Bjorn Bjorholm, and the chance to buy within the vendor backyard. It’s the one occasion this 12 months the place you’ll be able to be taught from Bjorn, Peter Tea, Laurent Darrieux, Adam Toth, Julian Tsai, Jennifer Worth, Mike Pistello, and David Nguy in the identical weekend!

  I’ll be merchandising and presenting seminars on evaluating reveals (offered out) and looking for pre-bonsai materials (11:00am at the moment, Friday 10/20).

  Be taught extra on the GSBF Rendezvous web site.

• Submit your timber now to the Bonsai Central exhibit and conference to be held exterior St. Louis, Missouri, on Might 3-5, 2024.

  The occasion is an superior enterprise sponsored by the Bonsai Society of Better St. Louis. Featured company embrace Bjorn Bjorholm, Andrew Robson, Mauro Stemberger, Tyler Sherrod, Younger Choi, and Marija Hajdic.

  I’ll be saying extra in regards to the occasion because the date approaches, however within the meantime, you will get an summary straight from the supply on the Bonsai Wire Podcast.

  Be taught extra in regards to the occasion on the Bonsai Central web site.