These are two trees I styled, first one is the most recent attempt while the second is the first attempt.
Theses are both from nursery stock.
Currently on the recent one I feel that I left too much on the sides, and the top. Any advice?
(Also first plant is thriving currently, growing like crazy)
by unfixedeward
4 Comments
The styling isn’t great, but that’s not important for you at this point. What’s important is that you’re getting experience working with trees and applying techniques, and you will learn one way or another how hard you can push a tree. There are times of the year in which they tolerate such styling better, i.e., winter dormancy. Also, keep refining your taste as to what is aesthetically pleasing to you. It’s fun to see your trees improve over time.
Something that might help is picking a direction you want the tree to gesture towards.
Often bonsai are compared to dancers or human figures, the crown faces a direction like a head would, the primary branch is like an arm
Currently the tree looks a bit spread out, which is a normal challenge for multitrunk trees
https://preview.redd.it/5mtxc8bqyfwg1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38f6efe20a1341b7625558abb9205072c565c03e
This is what my tree looked line in a similar stage to yours
this first picture doesn’t really make sense. why are the bunches on the sides bent down and away from each other? if this plant was in nature and was exposed to some condition that bent it a certain way, wouldn’t that effect the whole plant instead of sending part one way, another part the opposite way, and leaving the middle alone?
plus like, people get obsessed with the idea of “styling” a bonsai, when that doesn’t really happen very much. when you actually make a good plan for a tree, a “styling” is often very little work, like you cut off one or two large branches, wire one other and bend it, then leave it alone until that branch sets.
What I do is whole lotta YouTube and always make sure I’m having fun and getting experience with my trees. The fun part for sure though! lol
Also, you don’t normally want to contain too much foliage or any foliage underneath your wiring.