Entry #42
Judge #1: Unique design, interesting.
Judge #3: Interesting desgn. Very aggressive.
Silver Bottonwood (Conocarpus erectus sericeus)
Mexico
55cm (21.6") high and 60cm (23.6") wide / 55 cm (21.6") high and 60 cm (23.6") wide
Before
Conocarpus erectus sericeus (silver bottonwood) Is a species similar to the green bottonwood that has all the great benefits of botonwoods plus the silver looking leafs, this is an interesting material with lots of deadwood that would probe to be very nice cascade in the future.
One Quarter Progression
Conocarpus erectus sericeus (silver bottonwood) was collected from the ground to start the new life as a prebonsai. Branches were selected as a first part and heavy roots were cut. prune and leaves remove so the roots could be cut to an appropriate size for the chosen container. This part of the work is essential and well define branches and roots that can sustain the tree for further refinement later on, once it is on the appropriate container
Half Way Progression
The work shows the ¼ and ½ progression, not the most exciting from the artistic point of view but some of the most important from the bonsai point.
Three Quarter Progression
Conocarpus erectus sericeus (silver bottonwood) ¾ picture shows the tree regaining its health after repoting and beginning wiring. A lot of cleaning of the dead wood its needed to make this semicascade stand out. Looking forward to have it into a smaller pot once the tree has become strong for this process.
Final
Conocarpus erectus sericeus (silver bottonwood). This tree is a very interesting semicascade that still needs some time to develop the pads to improve its look. The lower branch still very young and will need to thicken in the following years. The middle and upper section should improve in branching. The hanging roots should be remove in time when the lower roots develop further. I like the harsh movement of the tree and the small size that I can carry myself is a plus.