Mattbonsai

Hey All, Long time no see, sorry about that, been rather pre-occupied with work etc. But I've managed to keep my trees looking ship-shape, and I thought I would share my latest favourite with ya'll.

I purchased this tree all the way back in 2006 I think it was, From the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, She was a very nice tree, planted in your typical nasty import soil, I got her for a bargain (can't remember exactly how much, possibly around £25 mark). Picture 1.

Some point during 2006 - 2007 I physically assaulted this tree, with secateurs, scissors and god knows what else, leaving it in this state. Picture 2.

In 2008 I potted this tree into a washing up bowl, in my regular compost mix. She exploded into growth, and was putting out a good helping for the next couple of years. I also physically assaulted her in 2008. Pictures 3 + 4

This year, I decided she was ready to put into a bonsai pot, and being rather new to the hobby, I'm not particularly familiar with what colour pot works with what type of tree, but I am now aware that bright blue does not go with Japanese maples, oh well, too late this year, next winter I will invest in a nice earthy coloured one for her. But what do you think of her anyway in her nice spring foliage. Picture 5, although, in truth the picture doesn't do her justice, in person you can see all the individual pads really easily, but in the picture they kinda blur into one big green mass, but the shapes there I suppose.

Anyway, enjoy.

-Matt-

Attached Images

	43600728.JPG (35.9 KB, 43 views)
	Spring 003.jpg (39.6 KB, 41 views)
	Japanese Maple.JPG (32.0 KB, 35 views)
	Japanese Maple Post Prune 08.JPG (88.4 KB, 40 views)
	Jap maple 2011.JPG (40.1 KB, 44 views)

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treebeard55

Lookin' good, Matt!

Some shades of blue do look good with Japanese maples, especially if they're muted colors. Same for certain deep greens.

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Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

JLDoggett

Wow, Matt, you already have leaves... <sigh> Otherwise they look wonderful.

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treebeard55

Yeah, Jim: in Ireland, and I expect in the UK too, spring begins on the calendar on February 1st. While we in the colonies don't consider spring to come until the equinox, and even after that can have snow and chill for weeks afterward.

Ah, well, we choose to live here.

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

Mattbonsai

Thanking you, yep, leaves, flowers, sun! Summer's already come here, its been up to 24 c this last week. Hosepipe bans next :P

I'll see if I can get some nice photos of leaves for ya tomorrow! It's really hard to believe that while spring is turning into summer here, you're still stuck in late winter!

Cheers

-Matt-

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JLDoggett

Well the buds finially swollen, and a few have broken. A relief as many were repotted the beginning of March and I had this dread that many had died.

__________________
"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.

treebeard55

One of my Japanese maples is leafing out very nicely. The other is lagging, but the buds are swelling.

Keep us posted, Matt. Nice to be reminded that summer will come eventually!

__________________
Treebeard 55
Steve Moore
http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com

The most important bonsai tool is your brain.