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River Red Raft

Posted: September 18th, 2011, 6:35 pm
by alpineart
This was another little job today , collected quite some time ago after a big flood where it was washed out of the bank as an upright tree about 3-4 metres high it has been in the box since then and trimmed once . Today i slipped it into a Alpineart Tray used for redwoods as a test for endurance , it passed with flying colours.
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Re: River Red Raft

Posted: September 18th, 2011, 6:40 pm
by alpineart
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Now it will be allowed to settle and a wiring job will be done along with a trim for shaping .The aircon unit is 900mm x 900mm just to give you an idea of the size .

Cheers Alpineart

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 12:25 pm
by Luke308
Looking good Alpine :tu:

What is the tray made of? and why no drainage holes? I'm guessing you removed a square of bark under each "tree" aka branch?

Thanks
Luke

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 12:45 pm
by FlyBri
Nice one Alpine!

I must have missed this when you originally posted - but I'm glad to have found it now.

Never been much of a raft-style Bonsai fan, but I reckon that's because all the ones in the books seem to be boring, straight conifers. Now, I'm a raft convert: I love the way the lower trunk has created a landscape unto itself. Great treatment of otherwise unremarkable and/or problematic material! You've given me a few ideas... :tu:

Thanks for sharing, and please keep us posted!

Fly.

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 12:45 pm
by FatMingsBonsai
When is the right time to dig up some gum or eucy trees please? :?

Now ?? :fc:

Cheers.

Nice forest mate...

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 6:20 pm
by Luke308
Collin Warren, who is a bit of a Native fanatic here in SA recommends February is the best time to dig up Yamadori Euc's here is his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bonsaiaustralis

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 6:43 pm
by alpineart
[quote="Luke308"]Looking good Alpine :tu:

What is the tray made of? and why no drainage holes? I'm guessing you removed a square of bark under each "tree" aka branch?

Hi Luke , the tray was custom made for Sequoia Sempervirens and to test the durability of the tray as a water test .It survive the redwoods and hence i found a better use for it with OUR NATIVE red gums .No drain hole because the tray is only 12mm deepso the moisture is used very quickly by the tree's in question .

No bark removed from the underside , mate i slip potted it so it was quick and simple . Iplan to rotate it to show off the trunk movement .

It was made from Villaboard and acrylic render with a gal steel rail attached for the perimeter lip and as a strengthening member .

Cheers Alpineart

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 6:51 pm
by alpineart
Hi Mr Fly, its going to be a ripper after some wiring is done and a bit of growth happens .It didn't seem to mind the slip potting as it has numerous new shoots and hasn't wilted . Inspired by that big raft at Benalla i post in Inspiration from Nature .It has some extra ordinary movement in the lower trunk so it will always be a unique raft .

Cheers Alpine

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 7:06 pm
by alpineart
FatMingsBonsai wrote:When is the right time to dig up some gum or eucy trees please? :?

Now ?? :fc:

Cheers.

Nice forest mate...
Hi FatMing , i'm no expert on natives but i did collect this when the opportunity arrived , washed out of the river bank after a flash flood , around August -September ?. Can only improve with age from now on .

Cheers Alpineart

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 7:24 pm
by FatMingsBonsai
Cheers alpineart matey..

Will try tomorrow :fc: Have seen three awesome eucs that are very naturally stunted and have lovely shape already with plenty of low, low branching !!! :cool:

Regards to all :aussie:

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 2nd, 2011, 11:43 pm
by FatMingsBonsai
Actually, could not waited so I went to dig them out tonight lol !!
Did not get much roots from the two but had substantial larger feeders :fc:

Got home and wash it off so it could stay moist whilst I pruned away at them. They are going to turn out as biggish bonsai but with tremendous potential already :tu:
This is my first try at Natives so did I do the right things?? I do have an established Banksia and that is doing fantastic.

Would you guys have put the trees in a training box or straight in the ground? I did the ground thing :?

Cheers.

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 2:30 am
by alpineart
Hi Ming , i have had several attempts at various methods ,many not happy campers . I have found collected Red Gums do very well in washed river sand and watered daily . I have put most of them in bonsai pots , glazed seems to hold the moisture better .

Cheers Alpineart

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 3rd, 2011, 7:02 am
by FatMingsBonsai
Hey alpineart,

Well, I am up and early to keenly see how I did a lot last night in my backyard with minimal light :palm:
The red gums have wilted a bit :whistle: but I think that is to be expected though...hopeful they will pull through the ordeal as they are excellent natural material :fc:

I have now training box so they went straight in my side of the veggie patch :tu: If, I ever cross an inch over the wife's side she'd kill me lol :shock: :lol:
Will I need to water daily for these natives? Never had them so I have no ideas on their maintenance regime.

Cheers,

Han.

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 5th, 2011, 7:06 am
by alpineart
Hi Han , I keep my natives on sand trays or on scoria beds so they can remain damp continuously , ground growing may be a different kettle of fish .Hopefully someone can chime in with some info for you , or maybe there is something in the WIKI reguarding collecting and after care .

Cheers Alpine

Re: River Red Raft

Posted: October 5th, 2011, 9:02 am
by FatMingsBonsai
Cheers Alpine ;)

Will keep you updated mate :cool:

Han :aussie: