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A little help pls

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Poink88
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Post  JimLewis Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:41 pm

I'm in a bit of a quandary as to the "front" of this tree. It is a Satsuki of unknown ilk. I showed it in bloom not long ago.

The "typical" front is with the tree pointing to the left. That puts the lower right hand branches giving the tree some depth at the back.

However, I like the trunk and rootage better on the "back" of the tree -- even tho a good deal of the trunk is hidden behind foliage.

I can no longer wire azalea because some meds make my hands shake too much, so for the last year or so these have been clipped and grown and they're starting to show it. Kennedy, Callahan and Adams all seem to differ a bit on the shaping of azalea, but given that I can't wire without breaking more branches than I have to wire, can some of you please add to the confusion with your suggestions?

Thanks.

The "front":

A little help pls 6-12_s11

Different lighting and a better angle:

A little help pls 6-12_s12

The "back":

A little help pls 6-12_s13



Last edited by JimLewis on Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Post  cbobgo Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:33 pm

i think the visual flow is much better with the current front. That could probably be fixed by moving things around a bit if you went with the back, but it sounds like you would have to get someone to do that work for you.

It's a beautiful tree, and I don't think the back base is sufficiently better than the front base to make it worth the effort of completely re-doing the top of the tree.

- bob
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Post  Kev Bailey Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:40 pm

I'd encourage the back/right branch a bit. It's not a windswept.

Don't worry about wiring Azalea, they are snappy for everyone! It takes extreme care and early triple wires to achieve optimal positioning.
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Post  moyogijohn Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:23 am

JIM ,, Only my opion but I like the back for a front also.. the top branches go toward the current back..switching would change thatand to me would make the tree better.. it,s a nice tree anyway you go.. take care john

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Post  Guest Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:17 am

Hi Jim I like the first picture as front.

have you not consider before (or even now) a semi cascade for this tree?


regards,
jun Smile

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Post  Poink88 Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:17 am

jun wrote:Hi Jim I like the first picture as front.

have you not consider before (or even now) a semi cascade for this tree?
I agree on both counts.
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Post  JimLewis Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:05 pm

jun wrote:Hi Jim I like the first picture as front.

have you not consider before (or even now) a semi cascade for this tree?


regards,
jun :)

I'm afraid the roots and base will not allow that in this stage of its/my life. I've had this tree for a number of years now, and have tried several possibiities, but this one is the one that seems to work best for me -- notwithstanding the (ugh) "nebari."

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, everyone.
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Post  Mitch Thomas Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:34 pm

Hey Jim
I see your delimia. I too like the new front, but it does need some refinement.

One of my most respected teachers once told me.

" In any successful bonsai design, the Back often becomes the Front! Don't fight it just change it back in a few years." Vaughn Banting

Mitch

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Post  Leo Schordje Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:29 pm

Now the first image is obviously the most show worthy front, the roots don't look bad at all in the photo (in person might be different).

I like the back better as far as the nebari goes. The main thing you need to make the switch is the first branch on the current front to fill out and give depth as a first back branch. The rest is relatively minor. Make the switch, it may end up being a 360 bonsai.
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Post  Russell Coker Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:33 pm



Jim,

Without seeing it in person, I like the front you're using now. Not that the other is bad...

I think this is a great little azalea, and I like the fact that it's not your typical pine tree shape bonsai. It reminds me of an old windswept oak growing on the bay, or the old trees that were along the Mississippi coast on Highway 90 before Katrina. The soft flow of the trunk and branches is really nice.

I think this is 'Kaho', but with just the dark pink flowers. It's a dense, bushy plant and you're going to have to keep after it so it doesn't turn into a blob.

Hey, play your cards right and you end up with a great little tree that's pretty from both sides, like Leo said.
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Post  JimLewis Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:13 pm

Thanks, Russell. I think I'll tend toward keeping the current front as THE front.
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Post  tap pi lu Sat Jun 30, 2012 4:12 am

I think it would be like this JIM
smoother shape trees
A little help pls Jim_al11
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Post  JimLewis Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:25 pm

Believe me, I've considered that. So far, though, it hasn't won my approval. Thanks.
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Post  Russell Coker Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:13 pm



For me, all that does is eliminate a good bit of the tree's charm.
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Post  cbobgo Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:49 pm

i agree with Russell. Currently the tree has character, and a distinctive look. Turn it into a regular informal upright and it will look just like everyone else's azalea.

- bob
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