Olive ROR - Time for some style.

NathV4 · Post by **NathV4** » February 10th, 2013, 9:30 pm

I am a first time poster in AusBonsai, so hello. I am a long time garden/landscape enthusiast, and general lover of all things nature. I have a young olive from a cutting, sitting root over rock and other than that has been untouched except for the slightest prune here and there to keep tidy. Its probably coming up to 4 years of age now and I am thinking of getting a little bit deeper in to the art of Bonsai. I've never looked much in to it and have just enjoyed taking care of this olive along with my other garden features of succulents, aloes etc. I am hoping to get some advice from some of you seniors as to where you might see a future for my olive. I have begun researching more in to training it, and have decided to make more of a commitment also. I have taken some pics, front, back and a close up of roots and trunk. In general it seems really happy with it's routine and placement, and it's health appears to be fine. It's still a bit thin and gangly, but I'm sure it'll sort itself out soon.

Front

DSC_0403

Back

DSC_0410

Roots/Trunk

DSC_0411

Thanks in advance.

Bretts · Post by **Bretts** » February 10th, 2013, 10:02 pm

It does look very healthy well done.i know many that would envy that growth on an olive. But the future for styling this will be somewhat difficult as it has some flaws that don't really have a solution except for a very very long time.
I fear your entry into bonsai will be hamperd by this revelation.
So best to go slow with this one. Even put it aside as you learn about bonsai

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » February 11th, 2013, 5:43 am

Hi nath if your keen to get into it there are a few options...you could visit long @ bonsaisouth if you want advice with hands on help. Otherwise your local bonsai club. Bear in mind some styling advice can be drastic and as Brett's mentioned a very long term process, during that time your tree probably won't look as nice.
If it were mine i wouldn't make too many changes to it as its your first one and is in good health. Then you can start acquiring stock on which to learn your skills.

Shane · Post by **Shane** » February 11th, 2013, 6:32 am

Hi, what are you hoping to achieve in terms of styling your olive? I like this tree. A broom style might look quite natural.
Bretts, NathV4 would benefit if you told him to which flaws you are referring? The roots above the top of the rock, ie not at 'ground level'?
Cheers Shane

Guy · Post by **Guy** » February 11th, 2013, 8:02 am

with root on rock the placement of the roots is obviously very important--you have a couple of grouped roots that look as if they could be spread out a little without making the spread too even around the rock--also a change in planting angle so the tree isn't growing out of (clinging too rather than sitting on)top centre and would look more natural( tilt everything a little left or right)which could then make more obvious the style direction-with regard to branch placement-as already said get ideas and advice from a knowledgeable local if possible

NathV4 · Post by **NathV4** » February 11th, 2013, 11:07 am

Thanks for all of your replies so far. Great to get a range of feedback. So far looking at things, I am leaning towards broom style with this tree. I didn't think I would be able to play with the roots again. They had a mind of their own when they were wrapped. Am I able to redo all of the rooting or just parts? In hindsight I would have preferred a different stone. If so, do I just go about it the same way as far as wrapped and soil height with the stone? I will most likely visit bonsaisouth as I drive past there almost daily. Are those lower branches able to be trained, or would you get rid of them and train higher, thinner branches?

Going back to placement on the rock and tilting, would it be a case of pulling up roots from opposite sides and pulling one way?

Sorry, I'm typing on my iPhone under a tree on my lunch break.

Nath.

Guy · Post by **Guy** » February 11th, 2013, 11:46 am

this is a suggestion only-----If you were to tilt -then I would remove the whole plant from the bonsai pot and without disturbing the roots , put it at the angle you chose( place one side deeper not one side shallower) in a deeper plastic growing pot and grow on for a year or so after doing some basic styling------the group of three roots could possibly be opened up a little halfway up the rock without disturbing the roots in the soil--

Pup · Post by **Pup** » February 11th, 2013, 9:51 pm

When root over rocks are created, first thing to do is make it believable, planting it like you have make it look like a pimple on a pigs bum.
Trees over rock do not start where there is no soil, and there would not have been on the top of that boulder for the seed to germinate.

So what you have to now do is as has been said tilt the boulder, bury some of those roots, then create a tree.
Remembering that trees growing on rocks do struggle to grow like brooms, but cascade /slanting even windblown are options.

I hope this has been of help, if any thing I have said can be taken two ways I meant the one that does not offend.

Cheers Pup

NathV4 · Post by **NathV4** » February 12th, 2013, 8:24 pm

Thanks again for your replies. I visited the local Bonsai nursery today and had a good chat with one of the staff there. The conclusion of the visit is that, olive trees are never seen on a rock, and even if they were, as Pup stated, they do not situate themselves like a pimple on a pigs bum. I'll most likely leave it there over winter and then as spring comes, remove it from the rock and repot it, and let it grow. In the meantime, I am going to make some purchases and build some stock. The local nursery has a 12 week course starting soon and I am hoping to get involved. I appreciate all of your input and thanks again.

Nathan

Boics · Post by **Boics** » February 12th, 2013, 8:43 pm

Bah..

Although I totally agree with all the above...

I'm not sure your in the interests of a prize winning Bonsai right now.
Have some fun, develop the unnatural broom on the tip of a rock (which is the most obvious style option).
And enjoy..

Take all the advise given above (which is sound) and make your next one more believable..

P.S. Baptism of fire.... Welcome to AusBonsai... It's nothing but constructive.

Guy · Post by **Guy** » February 12th, 2013, 8:46 pm

" olive trees are never seen on a rock"

so why not have the first ever olive on a rock

if the rock is removed what would be done with those elongated roots
the rock could be changed to one with more interesting crevices

Pup · Post by **Pup** » February 12th, 2013, 9:17 pm

Guy wrote:" olive trees are never seen on a rock"

so why not have the first ever olive on a rock

if the rock is removed what would be done with those elongated roots
the rock could be changed to one with more interesting crevices

That is something I would have to agree with, as when we have gone Olive collecting, we have found them growing over rocks with crevices.
I have never seen a broom style one though

Cheers Pup

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