Page 58 - Demo

Top; Francesco Damini and his prized Cryptomeria
Bottom, left to right; photos from 2006, 2008 and 2013.
In the 4 years following I fertilized regularly, began forming the primary branching and giving structure to the first branch, wiring even the tiniest twigs.
In 2006, on the occasion of the second transplant, I could not resist the temptation to see the plant in a nice pot and, after making sure that the root ball was well-formed, it was repotted in a container that would host the tree until 2012, during which time I slowly continued to refine the branch pads.
I never used scissors unless it was to remove a few woody shoots growing beyond the intended shape. Instead I continued to pinch the annual growth to the desired length with my fingers to shape the branch pads a little at a time.
In late winter I would remove dried needles from internal twigs by passing every branch between my
fingers to loosen the old needles. This makes the struc- ture of the pads more visible and allows light to pene- trate and stimulate the formation of more buds inside, which ultimately will replace branches that outgrow the intended design.
Two years ago I repotted the plant in a pot that fits the current structure well but is not yet the final pot, and I continued training the back because I had over- looked this side (an error which I tend to make with other plants also).
In the future I will work to strengthen the apex, which today is not well defined, and to better refine the small branches that make up the main foliage pads, thinning them to increase the transparency of the structure.
I’ve never had any problems with pests and I always use an organic fertilizer. The potting medium consists of 60% pumice, 20% akadama, 15% potting soil and 5% humus, irrigation is rather intense (but the plant has also endured dry periods).
I do not know what variety of Cryptomeria it is be- cause I have not come across others so compact and with such a clear color to the new growth. Unfortu- nately many of the cuttings that I tried to root so far, only one has rooted and I cultivate it jealously, hoping to create another small bonsai. I regret not having the patience to air layer the top instead of throwing away 50 cm of the plant when I first acquired it.
The satisfaction of receiving an award from BCI and BCI Director, Massimo Bandera, at Arcobonsai 2014 makes me very proud of my work, but I share this with all my club and in particular with Gabriele Sbaraini, president of Arco Bonsai Club without whom our wonderful event would not exist and maybe not even the club itself.
It is only because of the serenity, friendship, stimu- lation and advice of fellow club members that I was able to cultivate my passion and experience the joys that bonsai has to offer.
56 | BCI | October/November/December 2014