Page 45 - BSAM 2016 Q3

more suitable for creating larger sized bonsai because of its larger leaves. As commonly manifested by its Asian Clerodendrum counterparts, specimens that come from coastal xerophytes and coral rock present thick-tiny leaves, rugged character and twisted shapes. On the contrary, underbrush Clerodendrum, who grow further inland as understory shrubby vines, display tuberous trunks, smoother bark and larger leaves with a thinner lamina.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on one specimen of coastal Clerodendrum which I collected from a rocky coastal outcrop in Puerto Rico a few years ago. A coastal dweller, Clerodendrum is characterized by twisting trunks and branches that sometimes trail along the rocks. is natural twisting character is to be considered when training this species, as training one with horizontal, pine-like branches will not be true to its nature. In order to clearly de ne the steps on how to develop a tree with proportional structures, techniques on cultivation, branch development and the use of di erent sizes of growing pots and sacri cial branches will be the main focus. As selection of dis- play pots is the last step in bonsai creation and given the fact that it is highly subjective, for educational rea- sons, we will preclude this step in favor of describing structural techniques.
Development in Oversized Containers
Please take notice of the oversized container top le . On newly collected or young pre-bonsai material, the use of large pots o ers the following bene ts:
• Fast-speedy growth of trunks and branches • Strong steady root development
• Overall-general health of the plant’s vascular
system
• Opportunity to develop sacri ce branches that
will aid us in developing tapered structures and healing pruning scars, which detract value from the nished product.
Besides allowing the plant to grow freely, branches should be wired into place and the tree must be fed regularly to support its speedy growth. Once branches acquire the desired thickness, cut back and wire the new leaders into place as necessary. Please remember to watch out for wires and avoid wire scars.
Development in a Medium-Size Containers (part I)
Before deciding to place trees in medium-size containers (top right), the overall projected pro le and style of the tree must be at least 80% completed. Should some of the branches or roots need further thickness, it is advisable to continue its development in a larger container.
What advantages do medium size-containers o er? • Because branch development and the overall growth of the tree reduces considerably, we
have the opportunity to shape and develop
secondary and tertiary branches.
• ere is enough room to develop portions of
the tree that require further girth.
• We begin to reduce the size of the root ball
and take the gradual steps towards its place- ment in a nal display pot.
Top left; On newly collected or young pre-bonsai material, the use of oversize pots o ers many bene ts, such
as fast growth of trunks and branches.
Bottom right; Using a medium- size container is a two-part process that allows ne branch development, root reduction and natural taper.
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