Douglas Fir soaking up the first rain since Spring [Bonsai]
This is one tree of many in my bonsai collection. It is still young and being trained.
My name here is @creativetruth, and I am an amateur bonsai hobbyist. I have around 30 different young trees in my bonsai collection, many grown from native seed found or found growing like a weed in my yard. Over time I have learned some traditional techniques in bonsai, and sometimes I break a few rules to try new things, and learn from experience why those ancient design rules exist. I keep my trees photographed here on Steemit to help me track the progress of my trees over time, and I record knowledge about each tree so I can better assess the health and growing habits of each one.
Today I removed the wires from around the branches of this Douglas Fir tree because it looked like the wood swelled and was becoming strangled. Removal of the wires will allow the wood to relax and better channel nutrients to the needles. Especially after two days of rain, when we haven't had any rain since last April, the trees soaked up as much water as the branches and roots could hold.
Here is what this tree looked like 4 months ago when I first wired it. Read my post about the way I wired it: Change of Style: Wiring Douglas Fir Tree.
ID: 0010
Nickname: Christina
Type: Douglas Fir
Age: 4.5 years
Grown: yamadori (collected from my own yard)
Last repotting: late spring 2017
Wired: May 24, 2018
Photo from last year, above. Current state of the tree, below.
Previously this tree had normal pinwheel shaped branches extending out around the tree like straight spokes on a wheel. Now I am happy to see that the curved fanning branch shapes have held true even after my training wires have been removed.
There isn't a whole lot of bend in the trunk. In fact, I have been trying to keep this tree more like an upright form, so it can look more like a whimsical Christmas tree, which I can decorate in the winter with ornaments. So far it looks pretty good in shape.
Notice the defects on the branches. Many of the oldest needles fell off close to the trunk, and near where the wires were coiled around. Grooves and indents remain where the wire left some imprints. In some cases, the entire branch end died because there was too much stress, high heat from the sun, or perhaps a fracture at the branch junction. As branches die, new buds form along living branches ready to replace lost limbs.
This tree has changed a lot in one year, with some guiding influence.
Photos in this post are all #originalworks by @creativetruth, unless stated otherwise.
Find me on discord and chat with other tree growers, bonsai enthusiasts, and gardeners. We have quite a few accredited experts filling out our ranks, and a helpful Spanish-speaking community.
No memberships. Love trees. Make friends. Grow together.
Bonsai!
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Thank you for letting me get back to my roots and sharing some of my favorite bonsai in my collection with you. Please share your comments below if it made an impression on you.
Great content @creativetruth. This type of real, original interesting content is what Steemit should be about. I love your steady patience and persistence probably because I am so envious of it. And also because society and culture has such a short attention span these days. The before and after progress is really fun to see.