Chuhin Dwarf Honeysuckle

Aw sweetie! You're making us all cry! But that's not a good idea because it'd make it even wetter for you.


Funnily enough, despite us having had pretty heavy rain here over the past week or so too, we did have a decent summer - even when other areas not that far away were wet and miserable. As a result I am sitting looking at a garden still relatively well stocked with roses (we had roses from the garden on the table on Christmas Day the last two years). I've also had yet again to defer lifting and boxing up a larch group from the ground as the needles still have not dropped (sorry Harleyrider - you'll get it one day). I'm also regretting have spent the best part of two days bubblewrap insulating the glasshouse as we've so far only had one night of (a very light) frost and it isn't looking as if that'll change.

But the real question: my Shohin Forsythia is looking as if it wants to flower. Obviously I was hoping it'd do this round about late Feb in time for the BSA show. So, how do I slow down its progress? It is still outside btw and has not been in the glasshouse at all so its growth attempt is not because it has been sheltered.



btw Tony: don't take up water polo - it's bad for the horses!

fiona wrote:Aw sweetie! You're making us all cry! btw Tony: don't take up water polo - it's bad for the horses!

Don't be silly Fiona... I will be training seahorses!

Still a very wet Tony (its still raining)

BTW just hit 400 posts... I am going to have a pool party... bring your cozzie.

Tony wrote: BTW just hit 400 posts

Amateur! And even if you notched up another 400 this week, you still wouldn't have caught up with Kev.

Tony wrote: I am going to have a pool party... bring your cozzie.

So what happened to "The North of England, where even the water is HARD"? Cozzie? Pah! Wimps! I would expect nothing other than skinny dipping!


But what about my Forsythia then?

Just remove the flowers Simon, and wait for colder (and dryer) weather. Dont put it in the fridge or cover it with Ice cream or other things
It will cope with normal winter (if it comes).

What about using sea wead as accents Tony?

Regards
Morten

morten albek wrote:What about using sea weed as accents Tony?

I would have done but the sea slugs have eaten them

Tony

Admit it. You were too busy looking about for mermaids.

The more I look at the first pic on this thread , the more convinced I an about taking the tall piece out of the middle. You have to do it or ill stamp my feet and hold my breath!!

will baddeley wrote:The more I look at the first pic on this thread , the more convinced I an about taking the tall piece out of the middle. You have to do it or ill stamp my feet and hold my breath!!

Hi Will,
You will be pleased to know that that was the first thing to go!!!
I'll post some more detailed pictures and explain what I have done when I get a minute,

Regards,
Simon

Tony
Wouldn't Sea Monkies be better a better choice for your water polo team?

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. I breathe again. Hurry up with the photos!

Hi Guys,
Herewith the flower pics I promised



There were about 4 or 5 bunches that have since been removed.
I'll try and get a nice "headless" shot just for you Will

Okk, Okk,
Simon

I'll try and get a nice "headless" shot just for you Will

Okk, Okk,
Simon[/quote
Im loosing the will to live here!.... Whats the expression..... s##t or get off the pot

I finally got the time, and the confidence, to finish the 1st styling on the tree I started at Burrs. I was pretty ruthless with the pruning as I wanted to try and get the foliage closer to the trunk. The tree had put on about 2” of growth since November, when Bob gave it a haircut, so I was quite happy to cut it back hard.



Not too much wiring mainly tension wires to move the thicker braches into place.
The tree actually looks better in the flesh as it was a bit gloomy this am when I took the pics. It has thrown out loads of new twigs, and some exactly where I need extra braches, so it was really thinned to let some light in. I’m really pleased with how it’s turning out.



Next job will be to work on the deadwood to try and help preserve it. I’ve been saving my fag ash to add to the lime sulphur to help darken it down!!! I was thinking of putting it into a drum pot next year and would be interested in anyone’s thoughts. Glazed or unglazed??

I hope that you like the progression and sorry it’s taken soooooooo long Will

Way back in the dim and distant past, I remember replying to this post. Really like what you've done to the tree. Very dynamic! I like the way the interior has been opened up with the carving too. Worth the wait.

Hi Will,
Thanks for your comments, and patience, with me & my tree. Your input means alot

I tend to get slowed up with working on my trees if I have a lack in confidence and that was the problem with this project. That said, I'm now back in the "Bonsai Zone" and hoping to produce better trees.

Love, Peace & Bananas,
Simon

UPDATE AUGUST 2011



Here we are in it's lovely Stone Monkey pot and coming on a treat!!

Ook, Ook,
Simon

First time I've seen this thread and I've got to say, I love the direction this is going. It's also an amazing transformation since your last post last year. Great trunk!

Chris

Very nice. Thanks for posting the update.

UPDATE MARCH 2012



I don't like to blow my own trumpet but here's a picture that Fiona kindly took of me, my tree & Wee Jinky at Willowbog this year.
I hope that someone's gotta a good picture of the tree as I had a camera malfunction

Regards,
Ook,Ook,
Simon

Well done Simon. Great little tree. You must feel very chuffed.
Of course, this is now just the beguining.

Simon

Here are the two photos I have of your tree mate, without the monkey's Bloody well done on your award mate, well deserved.





Regards

Andy

I was going to explain Wee Jinky but I have decided against it in case it confirms doubts about my sanity.

Here are the pics I took. Looking back over this thread it becomes clear just how brilliant the transformation of this tree is. HUGE well done - a Merit well merited indeed.

Peter E
Thanks for your kind comments & yeah, like a dog with 2 bones

Andy
Thanks for posting these mate, miles better than mine. I think your pot tip the balance mate, very few better tree/pot combos at the Show IMHO.

Fiona
I often refer to mu progress shots when I'm giving the tree a haircut (usually 4 times a year as it grows like the clappers) and even I can't beleive the rapid progress its made. There are still a few areas of improvement require but I hope that in another couple of years to have a very special tree,

Ook, Ook,
Simon

Wonderful little tree you have here, it's inspiring for a beginner to see the transformation and progression from raw material to the tree beginning to take shape. Thanks very much for posting the photos and info, any update?

-Garrett