Page 47 - BSAM 2016 Q3

Top left, right and middle left;
After cutback, the fertilizer cakes were removed and the tree was once again defoliated to promote a second ush of summer growth.
Twigs: Raising the number of twigs requires pa- tience, timing, proper bud selection and attention to detail. Clerodendrums are vigorous growers, but branches are quite slow to thicken. Cultivation of the primary and secondary branch structures requires patience. Luckily and once the threshold of the main stems is completed, ne twig development is a bit eas- ier. In sum, the tree is repeatedly pruned to promote bifurcation of the branch ends. In Clerodendrum, before the new leaves and stems harden, it is possible to pinch away the tender branch ends and force the tree to produce a second set of buds. By repeating the process over and over, we are able to progressively in- crease the number of twigs.
e tree was then defoliated in summer and rape- seed fertilizer was added once the tree started to bud. Before the twigs hardened o , the tree was pruned repeatedly to augment the number of twigs.
A er cutback, the fertilizer cakes were removed and the tree was once again defoliated to promote a second ush of summer growth.
e bottom le branch of this Clerodendrum still requires attention. As the journey in bonsai creation comprises patience and hopes for the future, I am looking forward to the changes and challenges this tree will bring about.
In Clerodendrum, before the new leaves and stems harden, it is possible to pinch away the tender branch ends and force the tree to produce a second set of buds. By repeating the process over and over, we are able to progressively increase the number of twigs.
The tree is in an antique Chinese container and the stand is an antique Japanese stand, hand made out of Karin (quince) wood. I chose this pot because old trees should be
in old pots that match their character.
July/August/September 2016 | BCI | 45