AusBonsai

Well, its been close to 20+ years since I attempted a bonsai. I got into it when I was around 14/15. As you do at that age, you start, but never really finish. I remember playing, not learning, and it was fun.

Recently I have found time to start building the collection of material and reading books/online articles to bring that itch that has been just below the surface these past 2 decades back to the surface.

I recently visited a bonsai enthusiast in Denmark (going back soon to pick up more stock) and came away with a few items....this being one of them.
I cleaned it up, and fed it before biting the bullet and having a crack.....let me just say...mistakes where made...lots of them, but hopefully lessons where learned.

The whole point of this was learning, precisely branch selection and wiring techniques. Style was not the main goal here, far from it. I wanted to set something up to see how it will react over the coming years. To get a feel for it, as it where. I was/am itching to put something in a bonsai pot and thought it would be this one......but not today

I attacked it using the "Randomness through routine" post that was done, and just had a go. I made mistakes, breaking a few branches, generally ham fisting the effort. But I got there. I chose some I would do Jin's for soon (another first), and than had a go at wiring........and lets be clear...I NEED WAY MORE PRACTICE.
This was not fully wired but where I stopped day one. I even tried to employ a guy wire with limited success. I had never tried on of those. I can definitely see the application of it now and thought...cool. Apart from a few beginner errors, reasonably happy. Styling not so much. I was initially looking at semi cascade but thought...NO...lets try something else and learn something. Its not a great shot but the first branch to the right I plan on "jinning" at a later date...or just plain removing as it too busy etc. But figured, if I am going to remove it...lets learn how to Jin with it.

I didn't really position anything else but due to learning I tried to shape the trunk so all remaining branches where on the outside of each curve...no rhyme, no reason...just practice.

Then I went nuts.
I put in another guy wire to see what would happen pulling things back in another direction. I increased the tension on the first....I was having fun just seeing what way they got pulled, how it effected the line etc. The branch I have hold of is a long thing branch at the back I will be completely removing. It serves no real purpose.

I increased the bend in the branch to the left but it would not hold, so I put a "loop" of wire around it to hold it in place, only a small crack in the bark in the apex of the curve.

I twisted and pulled branches to figure out how the wire moves. I picked off foliage, I cut things, I tried bending it more. I had fun, with no real direction except to experiment. So what did I learn....

- Guy wires (or guide I dunno) are fun and can be helpful to move a stubborn branch. Don't be afraid to put extra "loop holes" in the top of the pot to get the right position, unlike how I just "used what was there".

- Wiring. Read those examples again as I know understand a little bit about twisting away from the wiring bend...it leaves big ass gaps that look awful AND will break thin branches.

- Wiring...don't be a cheap sod. Cut lengths of wire LONGER than needed, cut away the excess. Trying to use to short a wire is stupid.

- Wiring. Using a gauge too large is crazy with small thing branches, using a gauge to small is useless with larger branches.

- Procumbens junipers a prickly little so and so's....do not jerk your hand away when they "bite" you only damage your tree further

- A plan before wiring is a good idea. Also, have an idea on some the methods you intend to employ before "jumping in there".

I had fun and learned more than I could read. I probably won't do much style wise ( I did straighten up the top since the photo, not sure why, just did) for a bit as I would like to let it grow, remove the wire, maybe reapply depending on what I feel like. But in a season or two I would like to try a root layer using the tourniquet method, again..just to see. You never know, it might eventually turn into something respectable...right now, its embarrassing

Actually I think right now it is perfect !

I am not being sarcastic, you acheived exactly what you set out to do and have left yourself with enough to continue to experiment and improve your skills and knowledge. So don't be embarassed instead be pleased that you have learned a lot and still have something to work with into the future.

cheers,

Jeff

Never embarrassing, just fun and something you will look back on and still enjoy

your wiring is not the worst I have seen either but Kudos for having a go

Ken

I had fun and learned more than I could read.

Exactly. All the reading in the world will never make you good at doing, so for having your first go. I'm glad you were willing to share, even if you were slightly embarrassed. Overall not a bad first effort, and this tree will likely always have a special place in your heart. Keep on learning, it only gets better from here on out!

Absolutely agree with the other posts. There is no such thing as a bad tree or experience only learning what not to do so you can do something else next time and hope for something better. nice tree buddy.

Nick

Good on you for getting into it You will learn a lot from this tree. And like Ken said definitely not the worst wiring job. Haha check out this thread from when I started.. Now that's bad wiring (and Ken was the one who helped me)! Mistakes will be made, but you will learn from them

viewtopic.php?f=104&t=15437

Nice work Slothman! You've created the base of a really good tree will be good to see its progression over the years

You really do learn so much by getting your hands dirty, you can read something a million times, but it won't sink in until you actually try it for yourself

I had a ball doing it.

I learned enough to understand know what I am looking at with my pre bonsai stock.

For instance I have a nice little twin truck Port Jackson that I bent the smaller trunk the other week.

After having some fun with this juniper I am now looking at it going, hang on a second, if do that, this will happen etc.

So I have made plans for simple branch selection (removed some unwanted and stuck them in the cuttings tray), removed some large and damage leaves and that's it until next year.

Before this Juniper I was ready to go nuts on it and could have made some mistakes that could set back a potentially nice tree.

A little bit more experience and learning and I might try to time a "golfing weekend" in Perth with a Bonsai Club Meeting and ask some questions etc etc