Spirea over rock

[MJL]

About four years ago I purchased a bush on spec from a general nursery. I was on special and quite large - perhaps a 40 cm pot of thereabouts

I am pretty sure it is spirea. I purchased two at the time and gave one to my step-dad. His remains a lovely garden plant with white flowers.

Mine's been cut back and cut back in various plastic training pots and a few months back I decided it could go in a bonsai pot; still a training pot but giving it some context for the future. I also decided that it could work as a root over rock. I know it is less than ideal doing a root over rock at such a late stage but the main root fitted like a glove and with the rock partially underground, I reckon it will only get better.

I am quite happy with this as a start and now the ramification process begins. Any thoughts and feedback will be appreciated because I have never worked a tree in this style (or of this species) before. I was thinking Broom style (but I think brooms start higher up. So perhaps it's multi trunk style

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[boom64]

HI Mark ,Firstly i should say i know nothing of this species . Here go's anyway . I would be tempted to remove all of the smaller shoots and any of the larger ones that are dead straight. Leave a few of the thicker ones that have some movement or can be wired and work with these. From these i am sure you could build a nice clump/multi trunk style.
I know you like the idea of a root over rock style but how about an exposed root style ? There seems to be some nice thick roots there already and with that thick trunk it would come together nicely. Just a few thoughts, have fun .John.

[MJL]

Here ya go John, you're a star. Thanks for the idea.

A bit of wiring with a coffee this morning! This is somewhat of a rough draft and I made a few small changes after this photo but now I have a much more interesting foundation from which to build. Thank you.

As for exposed root - interesting idea - I'll keep it at the back of my mind when I next re-pot ... I think it will depend on whether or not the root over rock ever looks connected; roots to rock.

The curves have also reduced the height so I can see that when moved from this training pot; the final pot will be smaller and shallower.

Cheers again for the idea.

Mark

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[PWC]

Hey Mark looks good but I expected one shot from above

[MJL]

Hey Mark looks good but I expected one shot from above

Here ‘tis.



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[MJL]

Summer haircut... I like the direction this is heading.






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[boom64]

Another good one Mark ,has the wild and woolly look. like a lot . John.

[MJL]

Thanks John, the wiring you suggested made a world of difference. To both the tree and my enjoyment of looking after it.


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[MJL]

This little fella is powering along. After John’s suggested changes - it is turning into a interesting tree - quickly too ... and the leaves are reducing too.



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[MJL]

This is proving to be a fun tree to work on. It powers along all year - another haircut today - a great way to relax for 45 mins or so.






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[MJL]

Well this is reasonably exciting (for me anyway) … I think my spirea is going to flower for the first time as a bonsai!




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[Watto]

Congrats. I don't know anything about Spirea but is this early in your area?

[MJL]

Watto …. If I had any idea, I’d tell you but I’ve got no idea Re: spirea - it’s a speculative bonsai for me and I don’t know what to expect!!!

I will say, after a supremely cold winter (for my area in Melbourne) … I am getting very early bud burst on my maples and some other trees. It’s forcing me to repot earlier than I may have - as I like to repot some trees at the first sign of new growth … they are waking up, that’s for sure.


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[MJL]

This is looking great - there is more to go - I think this is about 70% of the flowers open - they see long lasting so hopefully it gets better! I’m pretty happy with this experiment!





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[TimIAm]

This is just awesome. Unique, and I love the styling.

My Grandmother had this growing in her yard and I've always loved it since I was a kid because it reminded me of visiting her place. As it's out in bloom in Sydney, my mother last week asked me if it could be used as a bonsai plant. Shame I can't get a cutting from the original bush, but this is definitely an amazing piece of work and some great inspiration. Thanks for sharing