As it turns out, now’s the time for the final significant cutback and wiring ahead of BIB’s January exhibit. I shortened shoots that extended beyond the desired silhouette, thinned out dense growth everywhere and wired a few branches to add movement or make subtle adjustments up or down.
Yaupon holly before cutback
After cutback
From the 2-3″ representation offered by the screen, it’s hard to see any changes from post to post as the changes are subtle. This is true for a lot of bonsai work. While the general silhouette may stay the same, primary and secondary branching thickens, branch movement increases after wiring and the tree’s balance changes slightly from top to bottom and side to side. So I tell myself anyway.
From the left side
You can best see how much foliage was removed when looking at branches – or the whole tree – from above. This amount of thinning is great for getting light into the tree’s interior to stimulate new shoots.
Thinned branch
Plenty of room for light to get through
As the goal of this work is a chance to display the tree at an exhibit, I continue to think about candidate pots. Here are two more candidates.
A strong, conservative approach
A more colorful approach
Setting the pots in front of the current pot makes them appear larger in relation to the tree than they really are – both appear to be a fairly good fit.
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Mac says
Nice tree, I like the brown rectangle better. Thanks Jonas.
Dirk says
Is there a reason for the deeper pots? I like the current pot more (more stable)… maybe bit smaller or smaller rim?
Jonas Dupuich says
Hi Dirk – no reason for the extra depth, both were considered simply because they are interesting pots. Here are some others I’ve considered: http://bonsaitonight.com/2012/07/03/refining-a-yaupon-holly/
Vince says
I vote for the blue pot, it stands out more. Great post as ALWAYS. Thanks
Alex V says
So if I remember right this tree is chuhin in size, so probably will be displayed with another tree. Will the other tree make any difference in the pot you choose for the show? I would think if the other tree was more formal (like a small black pine) I might go with the blue pot to increase contrast between them, whereas a less formal tree like an ume, I might go for the rectangular pot on this tree, again to bring contrast to the overall display. Does the trees mate for display influence your decision on which pot to use?
Jonas Dupuich says
Good question Alex – the big question is whether or not I’ll know with what other tree I’ll be displaying the holly when it comes time to repot. A small black pine is an option here which would take some of the punch away from selecting a brown rectangular pot. I’m planning to try a wide variety of pots when I repot just ahead of the show and hopefully I’ll have an idea about the second tree then. A possibility: http://bonsaitonight.com/2013/07/09/decandling-a-shohin-black-pine-2/
Alex V says
That is the tree I was imagining as its companion, in which case that glazed pot is a nice option.