An open window into the comings and goings of students and their trees attending our regular weekend and midweek bonsai classes under the ever watchful eyes of John Hanby.
Classroom Corner – Richards Juniper Parsonii
This was Richard’s first attempt at a Bonsai styling …….in at the deep end springs rapidly to mind. This is a large Juniper!
Some branches were removed but the first workshops concentrated almost entirely on creating deadwood and initiating shari. Live veins were identified and the lines of potential shari were marked out. You can see one of the thin shari in one of the later pictures. These will gradually be widened in forthcoming years.
A more detailed selection of branches was made leaving Richard with the daunting task of practicing and mastering his wiring technique……and what an excellent job he has made of it.
The tree came back last week to complete its first styling…..what a transformation. This tree can really go places and has been an invaluable experience. A Juniper Bonsai of this stature arriving in Europe from Japan today would be seriously expensive.
Richard was able to purchase this tree as a piece of raw material at modest cost but the learning curve that came with it was priceless! It was a real challenge but with a bit of input from me when required he has been able to create a super Bonsai, and gain the necessary confidence to tackle and master so many Bonsai techniques.
What makes it more amazing is that the learning curve and the journey with this tree has only just begun …….more techniques will need to be mastered as we take this tree to his next level……and ultimately to his top level!!
