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I found this Juniperus procumbens nana in Deltona FL. from Pella nursery in
2003. It was strictly landscape material. The tree was healthy and from what I
could see the trunk was a good size for a procumben. I was not sure if I wanted to
create a bonsai or just leave it as landscape material.
2/27/06
I made up my mind and started the
process of creating a bonsai. Just
couldn't help myself, it had to be a
bonsai. I opened it up with some
pruning and repotted.
7/19/2006
1/11/07
Ben Oki was in town, so I decided it was time
for a major overhaul. Who could be better to
work a juniper then Ben. In the 70’s and 80’s
I had the privilege of having classes with John
Naka and Ben Oki individually and some
times together. I would also spend time at
Don Wests’ house who was also a disciple of
John Naka, when the three were together it
was quite a treat. A little side bar; in 1986 I
did a portrait of John Naka, the crest in the
background is his family crest that he gave a
framed copy in gold foil to his disciple students.
Don West was very proud of his. Anyhow,
I decided to bring the tree to the workshop/
demo at the club. Being a juniper, plus
not a run of the mill specimen I thought it
would be of interest for the members.
And it was.
Before pruning
This is the tree after Ben Oki pruned it.
I wired and lowered the tree in its growing pot.
The tree will be left to grow and fill out for a year,
while keeping up juniper maintenance
and then repotted in a proper pot
OK this is what happened. The first thing Ben asked was “What do you want me
to do”? I asked if he would help me prune and clean up the tree. He also asked
“Where did you get the tree”. At first I thought that was a strange question, then I
remembered John Naka, this was a question he would use for a quick evaluation
to see what level of study you were at. Telling Ben I had the tree for three years
and got it from nursery stock, plus the progress he seen in the tree, he knew just
where I was with my knowledge. We discussed the tree and what I had in mind
for it’s future. Then the fastest clippers in bonsai took off. Silly me, I was pointing
to different things to remove and not to remove and realized I better use a chop
stick instead of my finger if you know what I mean. He might look as if he was
cutting like a mad man but believe me he has a definite direction, he is thinking at
least three steps ahead. He is also thinking like a teacher and leaves things for you
to work out on your own. For instance, this composition has two trees so there has
to be two apex. Sounds simple, right. When I brought the tree back to the table
and my fellow bonsai peers looked at the tree, they wanted to know “where did he
want to cut it”, “how much did he want to take off”, “why is this branch not in
line with the rest of the flow”…. Like I said previously, the few questions Ben
asked he knew my level of knowledge and didn't have to go into great detail. And
that’s where I will leave it….
Future pot
OK that’s not where I’ll leave it. A person who is a bonsai professional has to
please the masses taste and at the same time be politically correct. The majority of
professionals in the bonsai world fall under this dilemma. Unfortunately they have
to do this. Occasionally there are some Pros that just can’t help themselves and
their true artistry just can not be suppressed. If you look at a Pros personal collection
you have a good picture of their talent, if they are original or just trying to
please the masses or have no originality. I have been an amateur in bonsai for over
thirty years. I don’t sell trees, pots or tools, nor do lectures or demos in a public
arena. I design my trees to my taste and speak my mind. I don’t have to be politically
correct or design a tree to everyone’s taste. Been there done that when I was
restoring Japanese art swords as a professional, but that’s another story. It’s great
being an amateur, you should try it. “Wow that felt good”.
And this is what it looks like in late spring
2009
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