5 year progression of a Yew from Home Depot

Hello all..I have been training it for about 5 years. It was originally purchased from Home Depot. Here are the progression pics. I basically grew an entire new tree from just buds and branchlets. In the pics at the end, the tree is not as full as it looks. However, I am keeping a moderate amount of foliage. The branches are fairly young and I want them to gain strength.
Rob
The tree as purchased


The tree was cut back by about 75%


I didn't like the branch on the right, so I cut it off. Also, the tree was planted in a grow pot.


A little over a year later, the tree reverted back to a bush.


The tree was cut back hard again.


After a couple of years in the grow pot, the tree was put in it's first bonsai pot.


This is the tree recently out of winter storage this year.


Here is the current look of the tree after 4-5 hours of pruning and wiring. Still a ways to go. However, the tree is proving to be a nice shohin.

AWESOME, GREAT JOB AND CONGRATULATIONS.

Thanks hiram...I think this tree might be ready to show in a couple more years.
Rob

Do you happen to remember what variety this is?

Hello Patrick...Unfortunately, I do not remember. Probably the same that are being sold at Home Depot now a days though.
Rob

awesome, like it alot.

Thanks appalachianOwl.. Getting my $30 worth from this tree.

Rob

Wow Rob, really excellent work.

A very good example of what can be achieved using fairly ordinary material and a reminder for novices (like myself) I guess that excellent bonsai don't necessarily have to be dug up from a mountainside or cost a small fortune!

regards

Richard

Rob,
Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if you could also share some care tips as far as root reduction and soil composition for this yew. It seems quite happy with it's new home and style. I have a volunteer yew that I have raised from a seedling which seems to be doing fine, but I would be interested to hear your take.

Thanks,
David

really nice work
is it me or the grow pot is smaller than the bonsai pot?

Very nice progression. For some reason I have stayed away from nursery Yews. By the way, I don't think it is show ready just yet. The foliage needs to fill in a bit more, and you need to find a nicer pot in proportion to the trees size, age and quality before you show it.

MrFancyPlants wrote:Rob,
Thanks for sharing. I was wondering if you could also share some care tips as far as root reduction and soil composition for this yew. It seems quite happy with it's new home and style. I have a volunteer yew that I have raised from a seedling which seems to be doing fine, but I would be interested to hear your take.

Thanks,
David

Thank you...The tree was trained, if I remember correctly, in a mix of turface, course river sand and ,I believe, either pine of fir bark. However, the mixture held quite a bit of water and the tree seem to start declining. Fortunately around this time, the tree was due for a repot. At which point it was planted in a mix of akadama, lava rock and pumice. As always, it is all about good drainage.

Rob

aman wrote:Very nice progression. For some reason I have stayed away from nursery Yews. By the way, I don't think it is show ready just yet. The foliage needs to fill in a bit more, and you need to find a nicer pot in proportion to the trees size, age and quality before you show it.

Hello and thank yoo aman.. Yes, thats why I said it might be ready in a couple of years to show. The pot will be changed.. Style and quality will be better. However, size might not be negotiable. This tree barely fit in this pot. Basically, the stump right underneath the tree fills most of the pot. All the roots eminate from this. The tree has had probably close to 80% of the root ball taken away. However, on the next repot Iwil lassess the situation more.

Rob

Richard S wrote:Wow Rob, really excellent work.

A very good example of what can be achieved using fairly ordinary material and a reminder for novices (like myself) I guess that excellent bonsai don't necessarily have to be dug up from a mountainside or cost a small fortune!

regards

Richard

Thank you Richard.. With a little luck, patience and time..$30 can go a long way.
Rob

maraga wrote:really nice work
is it me or the grow pot is smaller than the bonsai pot?

Nope, the bonsai pot is smaller..

Rob

I think it will be better if it's possible .

[img][/img]

I think a perfect example of 'how to...', starting limited means/raw material
and a splendid little gem emerges

not a good job, a great job

Excellent work Rob. You have been busy this spring.

yves71277 wrote:I think a perfect example of 'how to...', starting limited means/raw material
and a splendid little gem emerges

not a good job, a great job

Thank you yves1277.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thank you for the previous discussion on this topic. I have added a written-out explanation of the progression on the growing bonsai website: http://www.growingbonsai.net/5-year-progression-of-a-taxus/

Here is the comparison I made:

abcd wrote:I think it will be better if it's possible .

[img][/img]

I think so too.. I don't think the tree thinks so though..lol

Rob