This tree has been in a field to develop branching and nebari.
We pruned on the similar time we repotted this tree. Pruning again at repotting is feasible with deciduous and fewer advisable with conifer (this story is spooled out in Bonsai Heresy).
A Stewartia in a field. This tree grew with vigor, and, as tends to occur, the branches then start to lose taper. The identical downside can occur with a prime grown sacrifice department, which may obliterate any taper achieved beneath it (a cautionary story for an in any other case stable method). Pipe cleaners of all colours (no motive for this, simply what we had) had been positioned the place college students thought it is perhaps pruned.
After a dialogue of which branches deserved pruning, the slicing started.
Just a few closeup photographs of the operation.
Many branches lacked taper.
The crown particularly had sturdy areas that had misplaced their convincing taper, and therefore, delicacy.
Right here is the completed pruning in late winter 2022. In some locations you may see the taper from a pruning lower to a smaller department is a bit abrupt, however typically solely a 12 months’s development rectifies this. We repotted this tree again into the identical field and in one other couple years it could go right into a bonsai pot once more—with but extra pruning.
This Stewartia has an excellent historical past. It was grown from a seedling by the good Warren Hill, previous curator of the Nationwide Bonsai Assortment. Probably over 50 years outdated now. It’s now 40” tall with a 3” trunk and a 7” nebari.
March 2023 Bulletin Board
- For many who missed the submit on lava, there’s been some nice dialogue about it: Is Lava Good For Bonsai?
- My birding-related Indiegogo marketing campaign is wrapping up, Purchase Binoculars for Younger Birding Guides in Ecuador. With at some point remaining we’re now 109% funded at $5,445. It should nonetheless be up, searchable, and donatable after that although of their InDemand program. We nonetheless have some platform charges to pay and cargo of our as-yet-unpurchased binoculars, so please: have a look, donate, go on to buddies—
- This week Bonsai Heresy is on sale—$3 off! Bonsai Heresy remains to be—as ever—accessible on Stone Lantern. Written over a 15 12 months interval, hilariously illustrated by Sergio Cuan, and revealed in 2020, this offbeat academic guide is concerning the myths of bonsai follow. If you understand somebody who wants this guide—an Aries, Taurus or Gemini with a birthday developing—spring is glorious studying climate. Second solely to winter.
- Publish-Dated can also be on sale at Stone Lantern! In the event you’ve not learn my memoir about apprenticing in Japan—or once more, know a Aries, Taurus or Gemini with a birthday developing—get $3 off now from my distributor Stone Lantern.
