I covered the birth of this bonsai in a post from December, 2012…if you look on the sidebar of this blog, click on that date to get you up to speed. I potted the tree in March, 2013 and it came through all the previous work with no problems. The tree lives in Seattle, and I would check in to see it whenever I was up on bonsai business…it lost one branch on the right after a year, which I think was due to the adjustment to life in a pot. It has otherwise filled in nicely and I was asked to re-style it this winter. Just so you can see what I started with, here is the tree before work ever started:
That was in November, 2012. And here is the same tree February, 2016:
Now a view of the right side, or the tree’s left:
The back side:
And a view of the left side, or the tree’s left:
A detail of the shari:
In nearly four years it can be seen we went from a few long, droopy branches to some finer branching beginning to form some nice layers around the long, slanting trunk. We are on the lookout for a new pot for the tree, the next step in its bonsai journey. I hope this inspires you to start considering trying this species for bonsai…nothing says ‘Northwest’ quite like these trees do 😉 Now how about a little touch of spring? It’s come early for us here in Portland, and this violet just couldn’t wait…
I. Think it might be my favorite of all you have shared
Thanks Terri! Glad you like it!
Great design!
Thank you!
Wow, nice tree! I’m in Seattle also – are you involved in the local bonsai club?
Thank you Ryan!I’m not a member but I have attended a few meetings and gave a program on accent plants a few years ago. My friend Margie Kinoshita is a member…do you know her?
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.