Ficus - which front ?

This is one of my very first bonsai, a ficus.



It had been restyled several time including a windswept many year ago...



And this is how it looks now (A) :



But I am not satisfied with it, I will change the pot and change the front as well..what do you say ?
Here are the other angles :

(B)



(C)



(D)

Nice development of bonsai, I vote for (B).

TFS!

I think this picture is selected as the best surface for the edge of the stone and see no unsightly branches of the tree view is more convenient.

I think in the (C) picture the roots look amazing. Great tree!!

I agree with Neil on (C). You'll obviously have to reposition the branches/foliage a bit, but the way the roots cling to the rock from that side is amazing. Great job!

Thanks guys, so you all can view the pictures ? Very strange, I cannot open the pictures here. I am in China now and I can't even browse to hotmail since last night.

Hi Robert Steven

I like this front.
By the way....A funny way to make a tree look windswept...Let the vire do the job



Kind regards Yvonne

I vote c, why?

More visible nebari (rootspread), and the rock is less dominating, I like the holes between the rock and the roots, this inperfection gives it a more natural look.

I know you have to rewire the whole tree

kind regards
Peter

Hi Robert.

I'll go for "A" or "B" but IMHO and If I were as brave as Robert Steven , I would remove the separate branch forming the top canopy. By doing so, I'll probably end up with a branch formation hanging on the cliff. Even for the windswept I would do the same, I think it would create more drama in the composition and it will create a lighter or floating effect.
The roots also in these angles are less dominant C and D looks old alright but too heavy and not proportion with the rocks (cliff side), If a cliff with hanging ficus would be the theme.
...I know you already know the answer, but please do tell me (us) if my idea will work, I would also like to learn from your input.

...reminds me of my ficus on the rock too.

regards,
jun

need help please,
virtual of "A" and/or "B" without the top foliage....poor in virt.


regards,
jun

Mr. Robert Steven,

Many have considered options A and B and no thouight has been given to option C, which deserves a little consideration.

I really like option C. It has a good 3-d quality in the branches and the tree embraces the stone in a very natural fashion: the thickest root on the left is well protected by the precipice and the ones on the right (exposed by erosion and wind), display good adherence qualities and "claw-like roots", similar to those portrayed in chinese paintings. Interesting composition.

Also and in order for this option to work, I suggest a wider pot or suiban, placing the tree on the far right and leaving open space on the left.

Regards,

Carlos

landerloos wrote:I vote c, why?

More visible nebari (rootspread), and the rock is less dominating, I like the holes between the rock and the roots, this inperfection gives it a more natural look.

I know you have to rewire the whole tree

Lind regards
Peter

hum hum Carlos

I agree with Carlos AND PETER, "C".

Robert,
This is a great exercise for planning the future direction of your tree; thank you for the challenge! I like the root formation on the rock in "C". You may decide to remove the lower main branch and work with just the top single main branch or vice versa as Jun suggests. I can't see the 3-D from the photos and think Carlos' suggestion of a wider suiban will make a big difference before removing wither of the branches. i love your tree.
Todd

Robert,
We will enjoy seeing how you handle this.
Lovely piece.
Jerry

Thanks everyone for your participation. Sorry for my late respond, I am in China now and my connection sometimes very slow.

To be frank, I have 2 option now, but not decided yet. So why not let's make a fun contest...

You should select the option from these 4 pictures, but you should change the foliation arrangement and the container. Not neccessary for good sketch or simulation...deadline before X'Mas.
The one closest to my idea (might not be the best) will get my X'Mas gift..certainly a very special gift (will announce later..because this gift had been a hot issue on IBC sometimes ago..maybe someone can guess what's that... )

OK..let's do it....

....Now we're talking!

Time to replace my old and tattered books! hehehe. come on brain work work work, we need a new copy!

regards,
jun

The gift price by the way....I think is a Japanese To English dictionary. Right?

hi Robert,

if you are going for a little change i would consider bringing the trunk in very much closer to the rock, viewing from picture C angle. Then train the branches out from the new trunk line.

For a complete and total restyle as a challenge make roots grow from the very top of the existing tree, turn the rock over completely so the new roots are in the pot, train the old cascade up the rock that has all the large roots still clinging to it. A Very powerfull rock image with clinging roots getting bigger as it ascends, and unique - to turn a tree on rock bonsai upside down.

jun wrote:The gift price by the way....I think is a Japanese To English dictionary. Right?

haha, yes - but in needs to be english japanese words !! not all those little squiggly characters that look like little houses

'obi wan kenobi' sounds japanese, would that be in there?

Marcus

Jun, it will be more than a dictionary, but if you win and you prefer dictionary, then it's fine..but don't be too optimistic.

Marcus, why don't you post your idea with rough sketch ?

Robert Steven wrote:Jun, it will be more than a dictionary, but if you win and you prefer dictionary, then it's fine..but don't be too optimistic.

Marcus, why don't you post your idea with rough sketch ?

....I am always optimistic. hehehe. Positive thinking is always the way forward. and it is always in the forward movement that we will progress even in bonsai.

Don't worry, i am not in here for the price of winning, I love challenges and the fun that goes with it. more people here in IBC are more capable than me, and I would love to see how they deal with the design challenge. I hope more people would contribute, I'll post mine soon.
Actually I was thinking for quite some time now, Why is the IBC admin not doing this sort of thing, it is very helpful in triggering the imagination.



regards,
jun

jun wrote:Actually I was thinking for quite some time now, Why is the IBC admin not doing this sort of thing, it is very helpful in triggering the imagination.

regards,
jun

Do you mean such "contest" ? I did posted my material on IBC for such contest to win my book sometimes ago, but it was deleted without reason. I don't know if it was deleted by accident or any other reason; but it was done in BonsaiNut,,and just fun...

Yes that sort of thing. Although i dont want to call it a consest, to avoid being deleted again. Probably, the admin wanted it to be officialy sanctioned if it is a contest. That is why i wanted to call it a design challenge instead.
Why dont we asked the admin? If it is ok have a contest here. Again, my view in this is that it is a trigger for the imagination and would be fun to do.

Regards,
jun

jun wrote:Yes that sort of thing. Although i dont want to call it a consest, to avoid being deleted again. Probably, the admin wanted it to be officialy sanctioned if it is a contest. That is why i wanted to call it a design challenge instead.
Why dont we asked the admin? If it is ok have a contest here. Again, my view in this is that it is a trigger for the imagination and would be fun to do.

Regards,
jun

What do you say..Admin ?