Some projects.

Decided to take some photos today, thought i share some of my projects.

A native Elm given to me some years ago by a very kind man from the Swedish Bonsai Society.


A birch i have had for 2-3 years now, sloppy but effective wiring this year.


Oak collected this spring, growing very well.

Here is a photo before it broke leaf after collecting, reverse taper and a very good nebari that's now under the soil line, it will become a ugly "fairytale" Bonsai i think.


And here is a Scots sunbathing, it will get a very drastic haircut later this year, looks horrible right now...


Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

Hi Dreamcast

Nice trees!

I would appreciate any advice on the Birch, specifically how much root work will it handle and when to repot.....?

Sorry if this is a highjack, but good first-hand info is scarce.

I have one sitting in a plastic square development pot, trimmed and wired since it's middle of the winter, and I'm extremely unsure whether I should get it in a bonsai pot.

Thanks
Gerhard

GerhardGerber wrote:Hi Dreamcast

Nice trees!

I would appreciate any advice on the Birch, specifically how much root work will it handle and when to repot.....?

Sorry if this is a highjack, but good first-hand info is scarce.

I have one sitting in a plastic square development pot, trimmed and wired since it's middle of the winter, and I'm extremely unsure whether I should get it in a bonsai pot.

Thanks
Gerhard

Thanks! when it comes to birch, i threat it like any other deciduous tree really, in my experience it takes root pruning rather well, one third seams to be a good amount of roots to remove every 2 or 3 years, i repot birch in spring, maybe just a little later then my other deciduous trees.

One thing you might wanna think about is not to prune any branches when its not actively growing, this way you can do your best to prevent branch die-backs witch is quite common when dealing with birch, also cover cut wounds well.

But to be honest i don't know anything about growing birch i Namibia, maybe advice i give you will not apply to birch in your location, best is always to try and find someone living in the same climate for more accurate advice.

I would love to see you birch, do you mind showing a picture?

Hi

in my experience it takes root pruning rather well, one third seams to be a good amount of roots to remove every 2 or 3 years, i repot birch in spring, maybe just a little later then my other deciduous trees.

Thanks, exactly the kind of info I was looking for   

One thing you might wanna think about is not to prune any branches when its not actively growing, this way you can do your best to prevent branch die-backs witch is quite common when dealing with birch, also cover cut wounds well.

Gathered as much, so I trimmed and wired as soon as I was sure it's dormant.
I've seen on a Ray Mears show where he taps a Birch for it's sap, almost unbelievable how it bleeds!

But to be honest i don't know anything about growing birch i Namibia

I bought it in Cape Town knowing full well my climate is not really cold enough, but I've seen them for sale in local nurseries so I hope I can make it work.
   Also thanks to Ray Mears I know the bark will never get thick enough in this climate to build a proper Birch bark canoe!   

I would love to see you birch, do you mind showing a picture?

You just made me aware of the fact I seem to have no before photos....which is strange. I know I have a photo of a spider eating a fly on one of it's leaves....somewhere.
I'll take some pics tomorrow and post.

Thanks
Gerhard

Hi

Definitely still pre-bonsai, there were some obviously problems like bar branches that had to go, but I have no real idea about design yet:

Thanks facebook......found a before shot:

  

That's good start material IMO, it already has the white bark witch is nice.

Really hope it will survive and develop in a good pace down there, please keep sharing updates!