Callistemon 'waterswept' style

[Kunzea]

Interesting starter stock, Mitchell.
Not clear what species it is, but your lowest, snapped-off branch looks like it is shooting from the base. I'd just put it in a bigger pot, keep the top pruned back a bit to encourage lower branching, if it will shoot off old wood, and see what happens. All that work might best be done a bit later in the year, rather just as we are heading into winter.
cheers
K

[anttal63]

No worries Anttal! It won't be for another decade before you go blind!

Seriously, I see what you are seeing in those images. It was what I saw in my mind from your words that stimulated the comment.

Yes, some of the roots may well be 'pushed and shoved in that direction'. What I see in the images is mostly roots on the downstream side that have been exposed by erosion, rather than being part of the pushing and shoving. It is a bit like the 'cascade' and 'slanting' tree stituations. Visually, one usually aims to show that the tree is stable, despite its strong lean, by having roots or good references to roots on the 'up hill' side of the leaning tree to show that the tree is being supported. You can have a tree that is visually just balanced in what looks like a precarious situation of being about to slip into oblivion, and that could be dramatic if done well.

The shibui's images show a variety of situations. In 3 the tree looks most precarious and about to slip away in the next major flood - upstream roots are not very evident. In 5, especially, and also in 6, there are clear up-stream roots of significance that visually look like they are holding the tree in place.

K

Hey Roger, Pushed and shoved was a poor choice of words, although i do visulise finer roots being washed in that direction during floods. Perhaps more so a natural instinct for the plant to extend its roots down stream to cope with the down and forward pressure that is exerted on the tree. The erosion allows a look in. To me me this stance is a natural balancing act. A bit like a crane counter balance's its self.

[Bretts]

Hi Shibui
I love this setting.I thought I had made mention in the thread but I must have been too busy emailing the image to my native bonsai mate. He loved it too

We have this form common around here. The roots don't tend to be influenced by prevailing water flow but floodwater. So the roots are often just exposed roots gripping the soil and it is the trunk and branches that are most affected by the water. I guess the roots being fixed to the ground makes hem less affected by the flood water.
Tried an experimental collection of one with no luck a couple of years ago.Have been meaning to try again as there are some amazing trees.

[Waltron]

Hi people,

Today on a yamadori hunt I came across an abundance of drastically water-swept calistemon amd maleleuca. A lot were growing almost horizontally and the roots were always upstream from the base of the trunk seemingly clinging to the rocks for dear life; just like Shibui's tree. Some of these trees were quite old. I didn't have my camera but will take photo's next weekend when I visit the site again to prepare some trees for collection (it was at least an hour's hike to get there).

[anttal63]

Hi people,

Today on a yamadori hunt I came across an abundance of drastically water-swept calistemon amd maleleuca. A lot were growing almost horizontally and the roots were always upstream from the base of the trunk seemingly clinging to the rocks for dear life; just like Shibui's tree. Some of these trees were quite old. I didn't have my camera but will take photo's next weekend when I visit the site again to prepare some trees for collection (it was at least an hour's hike to get there).

Cool i look forward to seeing them. I dont doubt it and was only going by the photos presented here. Certainly made sense to me but im sure the scenarios vary from one place to another.

[shibui]

It has been a while since i checked these threads. Great to have so many comments and ideas.
As mentioned, I have issues with the pot and am searching for an alternative. My personal experience with slabs as pots has not been favorable in the past. Not only does evaporation occur from all around the planting (as opposed to just the surface of the soil in a pot) but the rock itself seems to 'wick' moisture out of the soil much faster than a pot does (I find the same with root over rock plantings). the result has been that the trees do far less well than other normally potted bonsai. Maybe with the new improved nursery and better watering I should try again but i would be far happier with a suitable pot for this tree...

I also agree with the thoughts on overall shape of the crown. I would like to see it longer and sparser but have not yet got around to applying this. initially it was but over the years it has become denser and appears far different now. every few years I jin or remove another bit of the apex and/ or a lower branch or 2 but it grows so fast it quickly thickens again. Still, time for another good look at its styling.

Thanks everyone for the comments and ideas.

[Damian Bee]

Cool study Shibs.

[Kunzea]

Just thought a couple of pots with 'waterswept' callistemons. Just some attempts at looking for suitable pots that contribute to the overall effect being sought. Excuse the drippers!
K

Callistemon sieberi 20090105_8.jpg

Callistemon sieberi Walter Paul 20090105_7.jpg