Back from Croatia

Past weekend the International Bonsai Academy took place in Croatia. See 34 episodes in detail here:

Walter's Travelogues

We have worked on even more than the 34 trees shown her on that weekend. It is amazing in hindsight what can be put into three days. This was only a fraction of the whole collection. There are many more of this quality and caliper there.

Anyway, enjoy. If your are interested in getting this Academy to your place find an organizer and write  me a message.
If you are in the USA don't miss the opportunity in two weeks in Harrisburg, Pa.





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What a great material. Thanks for sharing.

Stunning trees! Walter, how long do you estimate for development of structure with the posted trees? I am surprised about the fast progression of some trees. Great work and maintenance! And beautiful containers too.

Best,
Dorothy

Dorothy,

structure is all there already as far as I am concerned. Refinement of ramification in most cases is the point. If you speak about the lack of foliage pads and negative spaces: this is intentional. But I think you know that. The raw hornbeams will be somewhat showable within tree to five years. They are very fast growers in that warm climate.

Very nice big material, thanks for sharing.

Kind regards Yvonne

As and example I show one of the hornbeams of my personal collection. It is an oriental hornbeam, Carpinus orientalis, collected in Croatia four years ago. The first image is three years ago. Within three years it was possible to get very good ramification with that species. The key to that it the hedge cutting method. Do NOT trim back new growth quickly. Let grow freely and cut back after a few weeks. So you will not have a good looking tree for a long time. That's the price one has to pay. But then look at what M&A got after around five years. In the Academy we learn how to create basic structure out of very raw material. Then it's just a matter of time and detailed work to get a showable tree. The art takes place when forming the basic structure. In the end it will look like the crowns just developed by themselves. Well, they were designed.

Walter Pall wrote:Dorothy,
..The raw hornbeams will be somewhat showable within tree to five years. They are very fast growers in that warm climate.

That's what I was wondering about. Thanks Walter.

Best,
Dorothy

Walter Pall wrote:As and example I show one of the hornbeams of my personal collection. It is an oriental hornbeam, Carpinus orientalis, collected in Croatia four years ago. The first image is three years ago. Within three years it was possible to get very good ramification with that species. The key to that it the hedge cutting method. Do NOT trim back new growth quickly. Let grow freely and cut back after a few weeks. So you will not have a good looking tree for a long time. That's the price one has to pay. But then look at what M&A got after around five years. In the Academy we learn how to create basic structure out of very raw material. Then it's just a matter of time and detailed work to get a showable tree. The art takes place when forming the basic structure. In the end it will look like the crowns just developed by themselves. Well, they were designed.
..

Great example, Walter. I have followed a similar regimen since years. It will take about 5 to 7 years in Florida to have a tree and structure satifactorily ( what a word..) build. That include setbacks. I do clip and grow on some trees too, but what a pain..

What I find astounding about the folks in Croatia is they are so diligent and committed. They are giving their trees the same kind of dignity and greatness (virtually almost) I see in your collection. The material is beyond excellent.

Best,
Florida

Thanks for mentioning this, Dorothy. I have seen a few generations of bonsai 'masters' come and go. Too many love to do the fun part only, which is the major styling. As I wrote, giving the tree the basic structure requires high artistic skills. After that it is a lot of diligent work for many years. In the end it looks like mother nature was doing a great job. But it was some dedicated individual who did that.

The majority of bonsai 'artists' are way too lazy. If you do not want to spend endless hours over many years doing minor chores you will never succeed with bonsai. Bonsai is first of all about working - a lot - every day- all year round. It is NOT about massacring a tree on stage within an afternoon. This is especially true of broadleaved trees. Guess why you never see these done the big stages? it is because they almost never look good after fist styling. In the contrary - they usually look terrible, even if everything was done correctly.

Thanks Walter, for sharing photos!

Hi Walter,
Amazing Trees.
Would you please tell me the name of the tree in the 6th picture (https://servimg.com/view/13440372/1183). I am a big time beginner in this great hobby.

thank you in advance
Tarek

Tarek (from Lebanon) wrote:
Would you please tell me the name of the tree in the 6th picture (https://servimg.com/view/13440372/1183).

Pistacia lentiscus / Mastic Tree

Tarek,

it' a pistacia, Pistacia lentiscus.

Thank you Walter and Andrija,
I think I almost found the name of my tree    It is a tree that I collected from the wild (off a rock).  Thanks god it is still alive and kicking.

thanks again