bonsai

Shohin Hornbeam Airlayer Update

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March 2018

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Airlayered nebari

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In a new commissioned Walsall Ceramics pot.

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After pruning

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Leafed out April 2018

A Sneak Peek

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Like all bonsai enthusiasts in the dead of winter, I’m excited about the potential of the growing season ahead. I’ve a lot catch up on after two years of inactivity in the garden but in some cases this has been a good thing. Some of the field grown material has flourished and thickened considerably and today I decided to check if some projects were progressing as I’d hoped. The following trees were all ground layered two years ago to hopefully produce a better surface root system:

First was a European Hornbeam

It was planted in cat litter in the ground and I found lots of fine root throughout this. Didn’t go down to Nebari level though as I didn’t want to do much damage at this point. I am satisfied though with the new flare at the bottom of the trunk. While I was at it I took care of some top pruning but left the bottom branches. I’ll airlayer the sacrifice branch in spring. Can’t wait to lift this tree when buds fatten up!

Shohin Deshojo

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A bit of neglect this year has meant some long internodes, unfortunately, for this little tree. These were pruned off, along with a reduction in the taller trunk to compact the image.  I think it looks like a better framework now.  Just need to build up the fine twigging over the next number of years.

 

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Sacrifice branch left on to speed up wound healing.  Job done. It was removed and the smaller branch beside left on to grow into the space.

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Before pruning.

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After pruning.

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Wiring finished.  Stubs left on allow for dieback.  These will be pruned flush in the new growing season.

I plan to repot into a container about half the size when the time is right.  Hopefully this will slow vigour down and help achieve the necessary short internodes.  I’ll also have to be careful about the quantity and quality of fertiliser in future.