AusBonsai

Looking better Craig. I have also just received a small Shimp, and look forward to tucking into it as well!

Andrew Legg wrote:Looking better Craig. I have also just received a small Shimp, and look forward to tucking into it as well!

Thanks Andrew, can't wait to see what you do with yours ,

After alot of thought, I think i'm going to cut the lower branch off , that should improve the tree immensely .

Craig wrote:After alot of thought, I think i'm going to cut the lower branch off , that should improve the tree immensely .

no branch.jpg

G,day mate, how about some more twists and a more upright postion, get the whole tree more compact.

Just a thought, I do not like to cut branches to quickly.


Cheers Pup

Cheers Pup, i didn't make the decision lightly, i considered alot of options with this one but wanted to keep it simple.

I agree with Pup. However:

Cheers Pup, i didn't make the decision lightly, i considered alot of options with this one but wanted to keep it simple.

In that case, leave the lowest branch, cut off everything above it, and plant it in a growing pot. It's just not quite ready for shohin styling with that size trunk and top.
You'll agree with me that Shimpaku grow very slowly. From what I have experienced, to get a good shohin, it's best to start with a plant that has proportions generous enough to make a bonsai of at least 35 cm, but that also has some low branching. Then cut it back to shohin size, using those lowest branches to give it the shape of a tree.
Sometimes one is lucky enough to find a raw Shimpaku with big branches that can be airlayered.
I'm in the process myself of growing shohin Shimpaku, according to those methods. Shimpaku are important in the shohin collection. From the many illustrations I have seen, displaying shohin on a formal stand seems traditionally, in Japan, to have a JBP or a Shimpaku on the top shelf. Or a JWP. At any rate, a tree that belongs in the highest echelons of bonsai hierarchy.

Lisa

Craig wrote:Cheers Pup, i didn't make the decision lightly, i considered alot of options with this one but wanted to keep it simple.

repot-shohin-juni.JPG

I still believe that it needs more compaction, to bring out the hidden tree within.

Just my

Pup

I agree and disagree with both of you. The picture doesn't really show the character of the trunk and in terms of trunk/height ratio,it is currently 1:9 ,i haven't removed any foliage yet so yes the top may be a little heavy, so if i bring it down a little to achieve abot 1:8 which really isn't a world away from 1:5. The trunk has a gradual taper and shows some age , with some more work it's going to be a nice little tree.
I Like it even if no-one else does and that's what matters right, it looks far better than when first posted, i appreciated your commenting

Craig wrote: I agree and disagree with both of you. The picture doesn't really show the character of the trunk and in terms of trunk/height ratio,it is currently 1:9 ,i haven't removed any foliage yet so yes the top may be a little heavy, so if i bring it down a little to achieve abot 1:8 which really isn't a world away from 1:5. The trunk has a gradual taper and shows some age , with some more work it's going to be a nice little tree.
I Like it even if no-one else does and that's what matters right, it looks far better than when first posted, i appreciated your commenting

Shohin Juni2.jpg

Did not say I dont like it, just that it can be improved, that is also what matters better trees is it not .

Pup

Really am looking forward to an update on this one, would love to see those pads become more dense. =]

MoGanic wrote:Really am looking forward to an update on this one, would love to see those pads become more dense. =]

very cool juni mate, cheers