Large Camellia as Bonsai

[Fred]

Hi Folks

Could you please look over my photos and tell which of two methods of approach you favour as a starting point for a Camellia Bonsai.

The Camellia came from a neighbours garden three years ago. I had to remove it in a hurry and so nothing was done to it in the way of shaping. I potted it into a bag to see how well it survived before doing anything.

I feel there are two basic plans of attack:
(1) Remove the cross over branch. This leaves the base of the trunk intact, but leaves a fairly straight main trunk.

(2) Remove the large main trunk. This would mean spoiling the base of the trunk (take a long time to look smooth), but would leave a trunk with more interesting shape. Then tilt the plant over anti clockwise so that the main trunk was near upright. The bent intermediate branch off the main trunk would also need to be dealt with.

I personally prefer option 1 because it leaves the base of the trunk intact. The trunk of a bonsai being one of it's main features?

I have attached the following photos:
(1) The tree after it was dug up (100_3148),
(2) A simulation of option 1 (100_3148a),
(3) A simulation of option2 (100_3148e),
(4) The Camellia today from the proposed front (7452),
(5) The Camellia today from the proposed back (7451).

Fred

100_3148.jpg

100_3148a.jpg

100_3148e.jpg

IMG_7452.JPG

IMG_7451.JPG

[Jamie]

it depends on what you are after mate you could also have a third option and remove both and use the left stub/branch as a new leader and go from there.

the question is, where do you see this tree in the next 5 years? what do you picture, do you see something with a full canopy? like a broom style? or more of a foliage pad look? with an informal upright feel?

jamie

[MasonC]

i would definately be removing the big right hand trunk and possibly the other right one aswell! It looks as if they are cutting into each other.

[Bretts]

Thats a hard one Fred such a nice trunk and various options that all will take time to develope?

[Jamie]

the pics as of now, do you have a pic of your proposed back as a stump? i see an interesting line there.... i think ?


jamie

[MasonC]

yer. its a bit hard to see the trunk right now. a bit of thinning out and we will let you know what we think!

[kcpoole]

Nice Stump fred
If you really have to you can bend Camelia if you are careful. check out my thread on bending large Azalea branches. Camelia are the same being very brittle, but can be done if you are Careful

Ken

[Pup]

Gday Fred I find straight trunks and branches a bit like our Rugby team when you have to, you put up with them. If you have options I prefer trunks and branches to have movement,like your Pack.

Ok were this my tree I would get rid of the straight trunk. Then tilt the tree and turn it around till you find the right angle. Remember the scar can become a feature if handled well. While I was developing the tree I would not let it flower. As this takes a lot of energy from the tree. Which you need to pump into the design.
Just my thoughts. Cheers Pup

[Fred]

Hi Folks

Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the back. I have one only from a side angle showing the back. I have attached it.

I have also attached what I had in mind as a design. This is a tree of Peter Chan's.

Fred

STC_0274a.JPG

Camellia001bflipped.jpg

Camellia Large Potential Bonsai.jpg

[Pup]

Fred you will notice the movement in the main trunk in Peter's tree, which by the way has moved on. It has been sold.

Well I hope it has because it was not there in May this year when we stayed with him.

Cheers Pup

[Bretts]

I think the trunk line on image 7451 is the go. Jamie suggested it as well I think.

[Jamie]

I think the trunk line on image 7451 is the go. Jamie suggested it as well I think.

thats the one i would of liked to see as a bare trunk but yes, i think it will be a much better line than the others.

jmho.


jamie

[Fred]

Hi Folks

Thanks one and all for your replies.

Just to clarify; Jamie you are saying keep the large straight trunk, get rid of the cross over one and make what I originally proposed as the back, the front.

Fred

[Jamie]

pretty much so mate, from what i can tell i think that is the better side and line
your proposed back seems to show more to me, but thats just me too, well brett aswell i think, i do like the look of your "back". from the pics i would keep that branch going out aswell. remove the cross over and keep the other straight one as the main trunk.

more pics would be good of the stump, you said you didnt have them though?
maybe when you prune back and we can see the trunk line a little more, we will be able to help better
when you do that get pics of every 90 degree turn, so at least four shots, if your keen, go more. 8 shots at 45 degree turns. that will give us all an easier veiw of what its like and be able to help you better

cheers.

jamie

[Fred]

Hi Jamie

I will take many photos and get back to the forum. I intend to see it through the flowering season before I tackle it.

The reason I picked the front and back as I did is that in my front the main trunk has a movement forward. I will re-examine when I have thinned out the unwanted branches.

Fred