Entry #28
Judge #1: Excellent potential (I like the future design drawing).
Judge #3: I look forward to the virtual becoming reality. Interesting design.
Arabian Lilac Fascination (Vitex 'Fascination'Vitex trifolia f. purpurea)
Zambia
80 cm (31.4")
I dug this plant from my old farm on 10 01 2013. They were 3 plants like a clamp. I separated them, and reduced the long branches. Planted it directly in the ground. It did not skip a bit and budded shortly. It had very little roots when I dug it out.
Unfortunately, this is the only tree I have not found a single bonsai made from, so it will be a challenge. It has small/medium leaf and it is a very easy plant to grow. So I shall learn how it performs as bonsai on it.
Found some other varieties of vitex but Not too sure if they are similar in requirements, since they look totally different. Apparently is the most popular plant for bonsai in Thailand:
The plant is apparently very sensitive to temperature changes and root disturbance.
Found some vitex on Walter Pall’s travel blog, but no info what so ever, and again different variety.
I have not decided how I would style it, but I see there will be lots of curving which I enjoy a lot. The problem I see here is that there is no tapper what so ever and that will be the biggest challenge, to overcome. I guess there will be needed some very creative curving…
Main aim for now is to make it grow and develop good root system so I can repot it in the spring and start working on it.
Meanwhile I shall trim the huge old and the new branches so that they can be used in the future design, without disturbing much the development of the plant.
One Quarter Progression
Up to the end of winter the tree was left to recover. Our winters are warm so root development is still possible.
End of winter the tree was dug out and the smaller branches were reduced in order to lighten the load on the roots, after the transplant. All large roots were reduced very close to the trunk, and all cuts were covered with sulphur.
All leaders were left as they were in order to facilitate thickening.
Unfortunately. one of the large branches (top right) developed a crack and dried up.
The tree was left to recover in the shade.
Half Way
The tree was left to recover from the transplant, and watered carefully, so that no root rot develops. After a month from the transplant, fertilization started with organic fertilizer, twice a month
Three Quarter Progression
The tree is still left to grow free in order to thicken the branches.
No branch selection has been done for now. Initial carving of the branches was done , (mainly bark removal ) so the wood can dry in order to facilitate easier carving later
Final
I almost did not submit this tree. I started carving it, and damaged the carving bit. But for what it is worth here it is.
The main activity on this tree has been:
I let it recover from the transplant.
2 Branch selection and thickening of branches plus wiring.
3 Carving…still lots of it to be done.
4 Please note that the blue markings on the tree are marker drawings on the tree and not photoshoped. I like to mark before carving so I have a rough idea where to carve, and it gives me a better idea how it will look like when done. So the blue marks are where future carving will be done.
I contemplated removing the left straight trunk, but for now decided to try and make it work despite the straightness and the reverse taper. I will eventually carve it as per virtual.
Future:
1 Fatten leaders/primary branches, and chop back and regrow for taper and movement.
2.Order new bit and carve as per virtual.
3. Ramify branches.
4 Left bottom pocket branch is left for now in case I need to graft a branch at the back later.
4 Preserve dead wood.
Thanks to the organizers and judges and success to the rest of the competitors.