Workshop with PODOCARPUS at Joy of Bonsai
Betsy and I went to Joy of Bonsai on Sunday, 1/17/10, to participate in Suthin Sukosolvisit’s bring your own tree workshop. I brought a large podocarpus that was salvaged from a 40 year old hedge that was trimmed to about 24 ” for all that time. Needless to say there were many low branches. After being dug from the hedge the podocarpus was grown in a large black pot for about 18 months. It looked very heathly and I was ready to “carve” the tree out of the green blob of leaves. I wanted a podo that was very dramatic with lots of jin and shari. The less live branches the better!
I already had picked the front and knew what I wanted the outcome to be so the day before the workshop I turned the first large branch on the left into a jin. So this is what it looked like when in brought it to the workshop.
I wanted assurance that I had made the best decision so off we went to the workshop. Suthin agreed with the front I had chosen and he helped me select the live branches. After the initial consultation I began the long process of creating the remaining jins and shari. I spents most of the 3 hours of the workshop working on it those two things. I only spent about 30 minutes wiring. I probably spent a total of 4 hours working on the jins and shari on this tree. After a few rounds, Suthin and I finally agreed the decisions we made were the right ones!
The next day I repottted it into a large training pot. It has a 9″ nebari spread and stands about 19″ – 20″. As you can see it needs much refinement but maybe one day I may try to submit it for the Flower and Garden Show at Epcot!
Great looking tree Alan. That one’s going to be awesome.
Very nice tree Alan. Beautiful nebari!
Looks great Alan, your hard work shows and I’m sure it feels good to see the finished product for now. I hope to see it in person in the months to come.
Alan, what did Betsy take for the workshop and why hasn’t see posted yet?
Nice tree Alan. I like your style……………….starting the workshop a day early, so you get it your way! You must have quite the collection……………..we see bits and pieces, one or two at a time. You are obviously the most senior active member of the club. When did you first join? (I’m guessing ’83?) I’m thinking the club needs to crash your house one of these days (unannounced) to see your collection. I bet everything stays weeded in “exhibition” condition. Good job. rj