Entry #12
Judge #1: Great start, interesting design.
Judge #3: In time this bonsai will be very nice. A pad between the top and bottom pads would benefit the design.
Black Mangrove (Aviccenia germinans)
Mexico
35 cm (13.7") high and 87 cm (34.2") wide / 35 cm (13.7") high by 63 cm (24.8") wide
Before
Aviccenia germinans, it is one of the best species to work with in the American tropics, however rarely do one see bonsai from the species, I would guess that it is because of the apparently larger leaves, as compare to bottonwood (conocarpus erectus) which grow in the same location, however they tend to behave the same and reduce the leaf to the same degree. The silver white leaves of this species does make it quite special. This particular tree will be turn into a cascade shape with a lot of movement that is already done by nature, the tree was collected and put on the grown one year ago, since then it has clearly recover enough to be worked on it safely without any risk to the tree.
One Quarter Progression
Aviccenia germinans, this is a great species to work with the first quarter, the tree was poted in round klika and kuratkova pot and allowed to recover.
Half Way
The middle picture shows how the tree is cut down to reduce the length of the cascade.
Three Quarter Progression
The Tree quarter picture shows a further cut of the tree, which is wired and know ready to allow the branches to dive and develop. The showlow container will make this cascade look even larger, but it will need a tall and elegant table to make the most of it.
Final
Aviccenia germinans (mangrove) this cascade has grown very slow during the year, and I think it will develop much more next year when it will have a better ramification. It has lots of movement, however some very harsh lines to deal with and in the future I will lift the tree a bit more to show the continuation of the shari, but for that the tree needs to be stronger. Further branching is required to make this cascade a great bonsai, but I think it will develop very well in the following years.