AusBonsai

I haven't shown this crepe on here before, but this was one of my first trees. It's a white flower hybrid mildew resistant crepe. I've not shown it due to mistakes made as an over eager newb resulting in its classic stick in a pot with no leaves appearance, but I'm happy with its progress now years later and it is one of my favourite trees. With this one, I haven't taken an aggressive approach to fattening it's trunk but it was in a styrofoam box for one year. I'm thinking of changing the front to get the nicer looking roots at the front, but can't decide at this stage so I might put it in a circular pot next time!

2013, when I got it, after a hacking with the scissors! So eager there is no before photo, but imagine a crepe myrtle seedling from a standard nursery:



About a week later when I thought it was a good idea to trunk chop a stick, then test out my trunk bending skills:


Today:
Front


Back


Left


Right


Potential new front/back/vice versa:

It looks to be progressing nicely, should develop into a nice tree. Patience being rewarded.
Frank.

Yes, can't help but think that if I had been patient from the start I probably would have a better tree right now, but where's the fun in that.

Crepe myrtle make very good Bonsai and the bark is to die for. A worthy project.

Very nice.
The cuttings I took (even large ones with bark) a few weeks back have all sprouted roots & buds. Good times.

Yeah they're easy to get cuttings from, even huge branch cuttings. Don't work on the bigger cuttings for a few years though, give them time to build a good root system as I had two really good ones that I just couldn't stop messing with and they both ended up dying right back after a year of great growth.

I have found they die back if cut back while dormant or close to it. If you cut back during active growth they dont seem to die back at all. Even the finest of twigs seem to survive winter if not tampered with. Love them as a bonsai. Underused here in Aus. Also they are fast growers.

Keep up the good work

Here it is again, nice colour now! One from the top with the fur baby and from the current front, new pot pending in spring...

That's a pretty tree, love the colour!

at next repot don't forget about the base of the tree(while it is relatively young) and the need for a decent un-messy root flare--it is possible to change the planting angle to improve the look of the base which in turn can determine the upper styling.

Love the Autumn colours on these.
Mine at the moment

I'm glad I took the photo then because it's almost bare now! Thanks for the comments everyone. Nice tree Sammy

It's burst! I thought it would be the last to enter spring but it's done it! Also got a nice new pot for it

That feeling of relief when your tree shows buds again after a root prune.



Looks great in the new pot too!

I knew it would, they're hardy as. But I thought it would be last, this being its first real winter.