Monster Mugo

This is the latest edition to my collection collected after pre-trimming several months ago . Originally it was 1800mm long x1600mm wide x 500mm high and has been reduced to 1200 x 800mm x 500 . The pot is 700mm x 500mm x 90mm and yes it is far too big for the tree , but for training purposes it will do nicely . Note this tree is basically how i found it minus 1/3 of the outer leggy branches . Yes even in Aus we can find some extraordinary Yamadori if you know where to look . This now takes pride and place in my Training collection . I have several huge Mugo's to collect over the coming weeks all of which have been pre trimmed awaiting pickup .

Greenhouse/Windshelter

These little projects are required to protect the trees from the elements , as a cant afford a loss on the scale from the previous seasons . For too long i have battled heat and wind which requires to much time moving trees and plants around for their protection . This should make life a little easier and less time wasting in the shuffle . I will need a barrier around the front terrace as my unhired apprentices {Kangaroos} will eventually find the pines to their liking . With over 120 Bonsai at various stages and 400 plus Yamadori and trainers i wont be bored for the want of variety . I hope to add another 300-400 plants to the collection over the next 3 months . With over 5000 seeds to be planted my work in future bonsai is all but guaranteed . My wife thinks i've lost the plot but to me its a healthy obsession bordering on insanity . She loves bush walking so it works in well , while she admires Mother Nature i scan the surrounding areas for good looking trees .

Yamadori Mugo's

These are just a few small Mugo Pines "Swiss Mountain Pine" that i found growing wild from a test plot planted way back in 1920 . After searching the entire plantation i discovered around 160 self grown trees from Mame to 2 man trees . Having sought permission from the landholders over 10 years ago i have regularly combed the vast plantations discovering well over 20 different Pine and softwood test plots started in the early 1920's . Cedars {Atlas-Deodora}, Redwoods {Coastal}, Austrian pine {Nigra}, Red pine {Resinosa}, Yellow pine {Ponderosa} numerous White pine varieties and some unknown species . Most of these test plots were abandoned due to the slow growth of the trees for productive timber , however some still survive and the ones that have been detroyed by fire or clear felled and burnt have wildling spread around . A collectors paradise if your into Bonsai and are willing to put the hard yards in treking through mountain goat country . With the onset of Winter there is plenty of digging to be done if i'm to replace the trees that were lost over Summer due to the extreme heat . I hope to collect around 30 different species of pre Bonsai yamadori that i have been trimming and training in the wild over the last 5 years . Some will never be collected as they are physically to big or would not survive a transplant.

Collected Yamadori

Out and about beginning to dig new discoveries from my travels . These Trident Maples found by the roadside were chop topped by numerous slashings by contracters . With permission i removed them after leaf drop prior to the roadside maintainance taking place . Safe at home , these Tridents will be good starters for future styling , all up there is over 30 Maples plus 50 cuttings taken from the trimming process . I have discoverd another 30 plus self grown seedlings , awaiting approval to remove as they are in an area of streetscape undergoing works and a safety issue is the concern .

Way too Busy

I have been very busy over the last couple of months "climate change" proofing my Bonsai areas in the Garden and trimming Yamadori trees in preparation for digging over the Winter months . With the Cold frame finished and the Greenhouse completed . I have moved onto a sheltered area to protect the Bonsai from extreme heat in summer , and the damaging winds and hail that we seem to have quite frequently at any given time . A mans work is never done . I haven't had time to post on a regular basis with all things good i will turn my slack efforts around . I have collected 1000's of seeds in anticipation to a long drawn out recovery from surgery to take place soon . So while i recover the seed growing beds and and training stock will come to life after Winter . I recycled materials that i have stored for years around the yard for future use into a good large cold frame , now all i need is another 2 or 3 frames just to hold all the Layers and Seed trays that i have potted up .