Another larch...

AlainK · 02-29-2008, 12:02 PM

The first photo was taken in April '04.

The second one in November '04, and the third one after reducing the top.

Fourth one : March '05

Fifth one : November '07

Sixth and seventh ones : yesterday and today.

AlainK · 02-29-2008, 12:03 PM

So, yesterday, and today.

I love larches

JLDoggett · 02-29-2008, 12:12 PM

The grey background shows your efforts beautifully, with the black too much detail is lost. Your tree deserves to be seen in the very best light.

Phil · 02-29-2008, 12:38 PM

I'll have to agree with Jim on that point. A pure black background can at times serve a purpose and be somewhat dramatic. It can also at times work against you and the subject. With a pure black background you will lose a bit of back lighting and with that also lose some detail.
By the way....nice tree!

~Phil

Mattbonsai · 02-29-2008, 01:11 PM

Great Tree Alain!. Like You, I love Larch, The Best Species in my mind.

What do ya feed this little beauty on?

-Matt-

AlainK · 03-01-2008, 05:34 AM

I simply feed most of my trees with liquid fertilizer every week or so, for bigger ones, I also use organic fertilizer (6-6-6) mixed with er,... I don't know the English for this, rabbit food, it's compressed alfalfa pellets : I mix about 1/3 fertilizer with 2/3 alfalfa, add some water, make a kind of paste that I let rest for a couple of days, then I make small balls of this mix that I let dry.

Prowler · 03-01-2008, 01:56 PM

Looking at the pics. of your tree i have changed my mind on a background for pics. I have been looking for black velvet, not easy to get in my area, but the grey looks a lot better, so that is that. By the way a very nice tree indeed. Cheers.

Ledanta · 03-02-2008, 04:07 AM

Alain,

Great tree, and very nice pics.
I haven't alot of experience with larch. Can you give me a quick run down on the most important times of year to do root pruning, tip pruning, heavy pruning, etc.?

Cheers,
Leigh.

Prowler · 03-02-2008, 11:33 AM

Leigh
As far as i know about them they don't to kindly to a bonsai pot, the main prob. is getting taper.
You would have to start with a seedling, the usual chop and whack does not work.
In the ground they grow at a hell of a speed, this is why they are used over here for protection around a new plantation?
To be honest i think this is one Bonsai that needs to be at least 2ft or over to reach it's full potential. Cheers.

AlainK · 03-02-2008, 11:45 AM

Leigh,

I made a summary of what I've gathered on larch here : "The Larch"...

Heavy pruning : in the winter, while it is in dormancy.
Tip pruning : all through the growing season, finger-pruning.
Root pruning : in late winter, when repotting (just as the buds are becoming a golden colour, before they turn green with the first leaves showing out)

I would like to add that they don't go well in dry, hot climates : they are mountain trees and I'm not sure at all you can have healthy, strong specimens in most places of Australia...

02-29-2008, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
JLDoggett Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Hampshire, USA, Posts: 630	The grey background shows your efforts beautifully, with the black too much detail is lost. Your tree deserves to be seen in the very best light. __________________ "Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these" And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

02-29-2008, 12:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phil A bit "Windswept" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago, Ill. USDA Zone 5 Posts: 1,042	I'll have to agree with Jim on that point. A pure black background can at times serve a purpose and be somewhat dramatic. It can also at times work against you and the subject. With a pure black background you will lose a bit of back lighting and with that also lose some detail. By the way....nice tree! ~Phil __________________ Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once. I started out with nothing....and still have most of it. "Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008

02-29-2008, 01:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mattbonsai Tree Hugger In Training Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cheshire, GB Posts: 801	Great Tree Alain!. Like You, I love Larch, The Best Species in my mind. What do ya feed this little beauty on? -Matt- __________________ -Matt- http://www.cheshirebonsaisociety.org.uk/index.html R.I.P Our Great Friend - Prowler, 24th November 2008

03-01-2008, 05:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
AlainK Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orléans, France Posts: 187	I simply feed most of my trees with liquid fertilizer every week or so, for bigger ones, I also use organic fertilizer (6-6-6) mixed with er,... I don't know the English for this, rabbit food, it's compressed alfalfa pellets : I mix about 1/3 fertilizer with 2/3 alfalfa, add some water, make a kind of paste that I let rest for a couple of days, then I make small balls of this mix that I let dry. __________________ Alain K. http://www.rdb45.fr http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

03-01-2008, 01:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	Looking at the pics. of your tree i have changed my mind on a background for pics. I have been looking for black velvet, not easy to get in my area, but the grey looks a lot better, so that is that. By the way a very nice tree indeed. Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

03-02-2008, 04:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ledanta Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 60	Alain, Great tree, and very nice pics. I haven't alot of experience with larch. Can you give me a quick run down on the most important times of year to do root pruning, tip pruning, heavy pruning, etc.? Cheers, Leigh. __________________ http://www.ledanta-bonsai.com.au

03-02-2008, 11:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Prowler Deceased: 11/24/2008 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 361	Leigh As far as i know about them they don't to kindly to a bonsai pot, the main prob. is getting taper. You would have to start with a seedling, the usual chop and whack does not work. In the ground they grow at a hell of a speed, this is why they are used over here for protection around a new plantation? To be honest i think this is one Bonsai that needs to be at least 2ft or over to reach it's full potential. Cheers. __________________ Its hell out there, give them hell back.

03-02-2008, 11:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
AlainK Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Orléans, France Posts: 187	Leigh, I made a summary of what I've gathered on larch here : "The Larch"... Heavy pruning : in the winter, while it is in dormancy. Tip pruning : all through the growing season, finger-pruning. Root pruning : in late winter, when repotting (just as the buds are becoming a golden colour, before they turn green with the first leaves showing out) I would like to add that they don't go well in dry, hot climates : they are mountain trees and I'm not sure at all you can have healthy, strong specimens in most places of Australia... __________________ Alain K. http://www.rdb45.fr http://ak2.apinc.org/bdB

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode