Air layering and thread grafting

These are some pics of an Acer Palmatum that was acquired few years ago, its main attraction then was it had a good trunk and was cheap.

It was planted in the ground and basically forgotten save for clipping back any long growth for about for about four years, it was lifted in 2018 and planted in a washing up bowl.

When it was potted up it had had a major fault in that it had a very ugly large root base and the two trunks were too high above the base, so in the spring of 2019 it was air layered with a third branch close to where the two main trunks split wired up to make a triple trunk, in August 2019 the wrapping around the roots was taken off this proved very successful as you will see the large root mass formed.

The tree was left to grow unchecked for rest of 2019, in March this year before the tree started budding there were areas where there were no branches some of the long extension shoots were selected a hole was drilled through the trunk angled slightly down and the shoot threaded through and sealed with paste.

The hope is over the next couple of years the tree will take up supplying these shoots with sap and they can be detached from the donor shoot and become branches.

Last week the tree was thinned out leaving only the branches required for its future development.

    Lodder Bonsai Open Weekend 2020

    A small group of members made our annual pilgrimage to Lodder Bonsai for their open weekend.

    This year as well as having regular traders selling pots, scrolls, sushi and Bonsai related items we were amazed at the quality of Bonsai Gerrit had been able to scource.

    From Shohin upwards there was so much to look at and to suit most pockets, we all agreed it was one of the best years for choice and well worth the long trek.

    Here are some more pics of the open week end and Bonsai display

    Swindon Winter Image Show 2020

    Another year passed so quickly and we are at the 2020, hopefully it will have been a success for Swindon Bonsai club because the trees displayed both club and individual was high in number and quality.

    Have added gallery of pics from the show.

    • Warminster Club display
    • Warminster Club display
    • Warminster Club display
    • Long view of club display

    Pots made with Tony

    The club had two meetings involving a pottery workshop with Tony Oswin.

    At the first meeting Tony supplied all the materials and took club members through the working of the clay, the modeling and the various effects that can be produced, members could go free hand or try a traditional shaped pot.

    These pots were then taken away allowed to dry fired and then Tony brought them back in, and at this meeting he explained the use of glazes and how to apply them we were then allowed to make a huge mess glazing our pots, these were then taken away an given their final firing.

    The results were much anticipated as there is no guarantee on the final finish below are some of the pots in their finished state.

    Feedback from members was excellent all enjoyed the whole process many thanks to Tony for this.

      Lee Verhorevoort workshop 2019

      We always enjoy a workshop with Lee not only do you get a chance to have expert advice on your own trees but just listening to his comments on other members trees you learn so much. Most of us have learned that if your tree requires wiring do it before the workshop and as Lee circulates round shall I say briskly you don’t hang about working on you trees.

      Here are some pics of the day.