MK5 Golf GTI
General => Photography Section => Topic started by: matsu on October 27, 2010, 05:13:34 pm
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they are not the best photos in the world but they show some of my fave trees.
only one of these remains mine.
this is a japanese white pine. i bought from an old guy who was giving up due to ill health. it was radically redesigned and even now it looks very different as this photo is about 3 yrs old.
i believe it is only about 90yrs old.
it stands about 2ft high
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftree12.jpg&hash=e56d3ab41e54c26abac4b7b43591d980aeeed8c6)
secondly is a japanese shimpaku juniper before i restyled it.
it was imported especially for me. i made the decsion from photos from a buyer who was out there and emailing me if he found what he thought i was looking for.
again, probably only about 50 yrs old
it is only 15 inches high
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2FDSC0180412.jpg&hash=374b4c2226356c527c607c5c61a5b0c281846454)
my japanese maple in late summer
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftrees002.jpg&hash=13620c1cf76ff770ba51900e70e992d0e04c2b52)
you can tell because the leaves are starting to look a little sunburnt.it stands over two foot high and the same across. it is rare because it is a twin trunk.the pot was specially made for it to reflect the bark texture and the colour glaze to bring out the best in the leaf colout........ more to come
matsu
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Excellent work mate :congrats: :notworthy:
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an autumn colour of the very best...
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftre13.jpg&hash=e2a79cdcd06ae9ec9984dd035cf559215d3cdddb)
my apologies for the crap photos.
this tree was very vigorous and if you missed a days pruning in early spring you could lose the shape and proportions for the whole year lol.
but a joy to own.
next is my korean nornbeam.
shame i dont have an autumn picci cos the colour rivals the maple
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftree11.jpg&hash=66beb22d98cccbd71e0f11e17de50c1f0659e2bd)
this was a prominent feature at chelsea and hampton ct this year and many before it. it is a recognised heritage tree on the british bonsai register.... mostly beacuse its proportions are almost perfect. which takes a lot of daily/weekly maintenence.
here is my rarest.... a british hawthorn in a raft style. only several in prominence and mine is the only one in europe to flower as this one.
i was offered a lot of money for this one but as you read a bit later... its a very specail tree.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftrees012.jpg&hash=37dad710210118eac00b78f5bb7bc5d4002ab903)
the flowers... sorry for photo :sad1:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Ftrees011.jpg&hash=2a3346284964624bc5b94c5fd6daeccd51d9b18d)
is stands a foot tall but over three feet across.
the pot was specially made for it.
the original owner of this tree died and it was my honour to take this as a peice of raw material and take it to the prestigious level it made.
thats about it for now.hope you enjoyed them and if i can answer any questions you might have on these or any lil ole trees you have at home feel free to ask.
matsu
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I love bonsai trees and would love to have one... but ive had 3 and they all died!
Maybe you can point me where to get a good one, and how to keep it?
:happy2:
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thanks for the comments...
mate we have all killed more than we kept alive.
its all down to the soil and watering and light levels.
people over water and keep moving them about the house.
bonsai trees are just real trees that are pruned to keep them small and not a species unique to indoors.
they are all living plants and you need to replicate their natural enviroment. lots of light and fresh air if poss
and water when they need it.
check them every AM and PM but water only when they are drying out.
i can be more specific if i know what bonsai you have.
but indoor ones- keep outside from april-nov and only bring in when it gets claose to freezing and/or frost.
hope that helps a little
matsu
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oh forgot.... buy from a bonsai nursery.
i can let you know a few good ones if i know wherebouts your from.
they sell trees that will have been replanted into decent soil and will have been shaped slightly better than when they were imported.
they also will probably do a club tye of thing to show you how to keep maintain and grow you tree.
also when i needs repotting etc, they will show you how.
but mostly..........
outdoor trees are a million times easier to keep alive and thrive than indoor trees.
matsu
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amazing Matsu,love bonsai trees but am no good at looking after plants etc i always kill them by over watering them
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WOW they really are amazing matsu :notworthy:
I AM seriously going to give this a try one year. :smiley:
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Thanks for sharing your love and expertise with Bonsai Trees, matsu :happy2:
outdoor trees are a million times easier to keep alive and thrive than indoor trees.
....Not a Bonsai but I have a Cryptomeria outdoors on the rockery around my wildlife pond - I'll take and post some pics. I got it because it looks like a miniature tree although it wouldn't win any awards! I have been shown how to prune it but it wouldn't need pruning very often like a Bonsai.
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They are awesome matsu, great job mate, like many have said i have had a couple and killed them :ashamed:
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thanks guys.
i still have a few-two really nice ones and a few lil bits to play with and grow on but they are a real high maintenence hobby and my work focus has changed and my other hobbies now dont allow me the time to spend the time on them. so they would have started to look worse year on year, so i sold them too cheaply really but they helped fund the gti.
RR- cryptomeria are a weird leaf if you can call it that, prune with your fingers unless youre very delicate with scissors or the ends will go brown...... does it go a really nice purpley colour as the cold gets to it?
i had a nice one of those a few yrs back but i got offered good money for it so i sold it lol.
matsu
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Need to remember to look at this thread from home later as the pics are blocked at work and i really like Bonsai trees!
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check out my sensei on his website.
http://www.kevinwillsonbonsai.com/
there are a few of me and some of my trees on there.
and its a great site to peruse.
he is living in spain at the moment but will be back next year to reclaim his throne lol!
he is the very best in europe... IMHO.
matsu
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Very nice Matsu..thanks for sharing your unique hobby with us... :happy2:
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check out my sensei on his website.
http://www.kevinwillsonbonsai.com/
there are a few of me and some of my trees on there.
and its a great site to peruse.
he is living in spain at the moment but will be back next year to reclaim his throne lol!
he is the very best in europe... IMHO.
matsu
Not to be confused with
http://www.kevinbloodywilson.com (http://www.kevinbloodywilson.com)
:grin:
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there aint a lot of difference at times, he is a wild man.
an ageing hippy with too many hallulecinegens(sp) in his body form days of old.. and thats my guy not the aussie lol.
and if anyone thinks that its a quiet old mans boring pipe and slippers type of hobby.,...... so far from the truth. the scrapes we have been in over the years going to shows!! had a right old laugh.
matsu
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there aint a lot of difference at times, he is a wild man.
an ageing hippy with too many hallulecinegens(sp) in his body form days of old.. and thats my guy not the aussie lol.
and if anyone thinks that its a quiet old mans boring pipe and slippers type of hobby.,...... so far from the truth. the scrapes we have been in over the years going to shows!! had a right old laugh.
....It's spiritual, man! :wink:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F_PhosYxouq5A%2FTH5dcBeDs2I%2FAAAAAAAAAAM%2FyK4-ebC0Uhs%2Fs1600%2FBonsai-Bean--54126.jpg&hash=7bcbf1f04d87eacb351b7b4669515ecca2250700)
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RR- cryptomeria are a weird leaf if you can call it that, prune with your fingers unless youre very delicate with scissors or the ends will go brown...... does it go a really nice purpley colour as the cold gets to it?
....Yes, the colour is changing now it's getting colder.
My outdoor Cryptomeria is absolutely not in the same class as any of your trees and not even a Bonsai. However, I'm told I can control its size with pruning, though not needed anything like as often as with a Bonsai it seems.
Leaf detail (today):
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FPondLife%2FCryptomeria_leaves.jpg&hash=4f55fd8dca81672c2251daf682b90bb9da7ad3e9)
Today:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FPondLife%2FCryptomeria_Oct28.jpg&hash=7a354a800b366c9cdc30f5fde84951cdd4d19898)
Last week:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FPondLife%2FCryptomeria_Oct22.jpg&hash=9b2d1cfc120dda7090c80dfb47a350ed78624286)
In context, as part of a wildlife pond (no fish) rockery I've been building since June:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FPondLife%2FOverall_Oct28.jpg&hash=cc314cb3fed1ce6c592242a17ea3e9b337df4094)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FPondLife%2FRockery_upper_Oct28.jpg&hash=5928181bb83f99caf83768cbc8263e4f9d198489)
As you can see, I seem to have created a miniature landscape. Everything is very low maintenance and hardy. I can't stop collecting rocks!
So, do I just prune by using my fingernails?
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the rockery's looking good.. once the plants grow into it it will change the whole feel about it.
yep.. if you pinch it a bit like we do the grass arrows we used to throw at other kids jumpers when we were kids......ok a few months ago in the summer lol
you can use scissors but need to cut in at an angle so you dont cut the tips of the bit you leave behind.
it looks a bit "leggy" and if you allow the growth to go too mad. it dies back on the inner foliage so you end up with longer branches with puffs of foliage on the ends and bare toward the trunk- you ll see that a lot on conifers because people dont prune them. so i would suggest very early spring pinch or cut it back a bit harder, and as it grows on during the year keep it pinched regularly to keep the growth even from trunk to tip. it will also look a nicer more balanced image as well as being better for long term health.
hope that helps
matsu
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^^^^
Hey, matsu! Thanks buddy :happy2:
I may ask your advice again when Spring comes.
Apparently this 'bush' tree's brother/cousin/whatever can grow up to 150ft in the UK and 230ft in Japan, providing conditions are right of course.
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cryptomeria japonica me old fruit!!
its very much like the california redwood in trunk etc.
the foliage is much tighter than the one you have.
ill try find some pics
matsu
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Very impressive and interesting stuff Matsu! :notworthy:
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cryptomeria japonica me old fruit!!
its very much like the california redwood in trunk etc.
the foliage is much tighter than the one you have.
ill try find some pics
matsu
....Impressive!!
The handwritten tab on mine reads: "Cryptomeria sp" - I'm guessing "sp" just means "species" rather than "Spain".
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here you RR.........
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2Fjaponica1.jpg&hash=0782a0ac31f461deafaf8746b6977ef3de5c4d77)
there is a website that shows how bloody huge these things can get!!
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fvv264%2Fmatsu66%2FCryptomeria_japonica_male.jpg&hash=f7448498e7a83999d0aca2ac40939cfac566bb81)
you can see how "tight" the foliage is compared to your sp- species lol
matsu
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Matsu.. im in harrow, any good bonsai nurseries around here?
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I ask this in complete ignorance but it looks to me as if the tradition of Bonsai tree cultivation is strongly related to Japanese gardens of the spiritual kind. Is this so?
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hi mate
we talking harrow london ish lol
its a bit of a journey but ken leaver has windybank bonsai... great prices for top quality- depends on what you are looking for to be honest. but he is a lovely guy, very helpful and hugely knowledgasble- speaks fluent japanese i seem to remember.
http://www.windybankbonsai.co.uk/
RR. i think there is a definate element of spirituality towards bonsai- it is said you can acheive a zen medititive state whilst tending your trees.
bonsai was originally penjing- monks from china took little trees with them on their travels to remind them of their homeland and to keep in touch with nature as they travelled so it was spread from china as most things in this world have been.
(-off topic slightly anyone read "1812 the year china discovered the world"??? amazing book china actually discovered and trans covered the globe before anyone else and soooo much more info... a definate reead-will blow your mind)
and every asian culture took to it in their own way.
japan and esp the samurai developed it to the structured art it is today.
the ying and yang- they were a violent race so they needed some softness so many were poets artisits garedners and particualarly bonsai-ists.
there are sevral trees in japans historical gardens that were created by samurai many hundreds of years ago and are still very much alive and thriving today=passed through family generations as heirlooms and are worth millions!
big japanese businesses buy bonsai trees-famous trees as corporations in europe might "invest " in a picasso for example.
oops gotta get back to work hahahahahah
matsu
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Cool... not too far away!
Are there any trees that are able to survive properly kept in doors all year round?
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sod work for a sec.... :evilgrin:
yes mate.. lots, to be honest most species will survive our winters with just a little help.
but if you want to just leavei t and forget it(to a greatr extent)
go with a juniper or a pine. decid trees need care.
ok back to work
matsu
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FDetailing%2FStickers%2FYing-Yang.jpg&hash=7476f8f8d56236c8bb70a9a5e0299cf7375ed1c5)