Majorcan wild olive “Menesteo” Ramification

Majorcan wild olive “Menesteo,” 3d post.
{Translator’s Note: “Menesteo” is pronounced “meh-neh-STEH-oh.” “Jorobao” is pronounced “hoh-roh-BAH-oh.”}

Hello, friends.

This is the third and last post about this Majorcan wild olive, “Menesteo.” Something of its history you now know from this blog and you can review the work already done by clicking on the appropriate link.

As I’ve already told you, the story of its development under my care began on March 14, 2010, when Erasmo García gave me this tree after pruning and repotting it. I developed a design, and have more or less followed it until the present — although I did think it would take longer to see it realized. Really, this tree and “Jorobao,” which came into my possession at the same time, have developed very rapidly and today are very well ramified. There are no secrets; just a good care plan, so that they stay strong, and able to withstand the cycles of defoliation and wiring to which I subject them.

The first picture is from the year 2010. It was taken on July 20, after the first exhibition by the Menesteo Bonsai Association of Puerto de Santa María, where I had the honor of being the demonstrator. I was already giving thought to planting the tree in this kurama (scoop pot) by María José González. My friend Erasmo suggested I lower the apex, and I, who am very cooperative when a teacher like him gives me a suggestion, did it like this:

This wild olive has steadily increased its ramification, year after year. You have to understand that the annual schedule that I follow is not the same as that used by other growers. That is because the climate of Cádiz allows me to do the same work that others do almost a month and a half earlier, and that works out very well for me. Some say that I defoliate too often; but if the plant responds well, why not use that technique, when it increases the fine ramification so effectively? I have always been one to experiment to find the techniques that are best for me, and I don’t believe that I am going wrong by doing what I do.

The first two pictures of the foursome above date, one from the end of May and the other from the beginning of August, of 2011. The fine ramification had increased greatly in just one year. The two lower pictures are from July of 2012 and March of 2013; the second was taken before the most recent wiring was carried out, and just three years after the tree came into my hands. I think the images say it all.

The stand on which the tree is exhibited is the first stand made for me by Rosendo Martínez. I appreciate his work greatly, especially because his stands have evolved as my trees have evolved, and they complement my trees perfectly. Perhaps he will publish his new web page, where you will be able to enjoy his latest creations. An artist in every way.

I like to show trees from all angles, and the back of the tree should get as much care as the front. The “before” and “after” photos of the back are shown together, below. That way you can see that the whole canopy has been developed from just a few branches. (I told that story in the first blog entry that was devoted to this wild olive.) The primary branch was a back branch, as was also the counterbalancing branch. But you have to look carefully at the finished tree to see that:

These two photographs are dedicated to all my friends in the Menesteo Bonsai Association, some of whom appear in the pictures; and above all to the leading member of the Association, Rosendo Martínez, who took the picture on the left. A very good friend who is always there when you need him.

Let me show you also the side views of this wild olive. I have had to resort to a guy wire to lower that rebellious back branch, but in a few months its position will be fixed.

The view from the right will give you a very good idea of the positions of the foliage masses, and of the spaces which have been left between. Those spaces are always important.

And why do I defoliate in March, just when the wild olive is sprouting new growth? It’s simple, really: if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to wire with the precision I like. Sergio and Raúl, two friends from the Association who help me every Saturday, have participated in the defoliation of this wild olive. They can tell you how much fun it can be to remove every last leaf from a tree of this size! And let’s not say anything about the slow, almost interminable process of applying all the wire that is needed to properly position the fine twigs! My friend Sergio had fun for a couple of hours this past Saturday, and he would have liked to help me more. Still, a good session is waiting for both of them with “The Gargoyle.” Heh, heh. {Translator’s note: “The Gargoyle” is another of Mr. Pérez’s bonsai.}

Here you have a pair of images that illustrate the need to wire repeatedly at this stage of formation. Without the wires it is impossible to achieve the level of refinement that I like to give to the branches:

Taking a hand to this apex is the final step. I could have limited myself to pruning. But my friend Sergio Escoín, who is going to take on the care of Menesteo, deserved to have this tangle wired, even if I were to give up my eyesight to do it!

To finish, a few pictures of the details, so that you can see how the different branch masses have turned out after being wired. One or two minor things must still be done to put the final touches to this tree. And the images draw my eye to the defects that remain to be remedied, such as greater growth for the second branch on the right. But now the new owner must see to that.

The nebari is hidden, and it would be interesting for some roots to be exposed eventually.

The apex branch needs to thicken, but it is only three years old! Now the tree needs to continue to mature, year after year, until all the foliage masses are well-defined and compact. Pinch, pinch, pinch, and pinch.

The second branch, in the back view, needs to be shaped as I have shaped the earlier ones. All the new branches will be wired and positioned, and the tree will develop more density.

This deadwood and the tube-like cavity were what most caught my attention in this Majorcan wild olive; as well as the “corteza de botón,” which is a sign of age. {See Translator’s Note below.} I have brushed the deadwood and applied lime-sulfur. But it doesn’t need much now, except where it is in contact with the substrate. That area can begin to look rather ugly, and it is necessary to treat it more often.
{Translator’s Note: “Corteza de botón” refers to corky bark which is divided by fissures into rough rectangles, something like a pine’s. It is a sought-after feature in collected wild olives.}

In this picture you can get a good look at the distribution of the smaller branches, all seeking the light; as well as the meters of wire that have been applied. With this I will say good-bye.

Good trees pass through many hands, and this one has now passed through three pairs before coming to Sergio. The collector, whose name I don’t remember; Erasmo; and this servant. I look forward to seeing it in person at some other time.

Enjoy it, Sergio. I have enjoyed it for 3 years, and I feel the pride of a father with his children.

Best regards.

[box_info]This article was originally published in Spanish on Juan’s blog

Translation provided by Steve Moore[/box_info]