SELECTION OF NURSERY STOCK FOR BONSAI – SEEING THE TREE WITHIN
We All love to browse the nurseries in search of the elusive ideal stock tree for bonsai, it gets even more exciting when you actually find one. But have you actually found a pre-bonsai or have you purchased just another pot plant? I would like to point out here, what to look for and what to reject when looking at any tree as a prospective candidate to becoming a future bonsai. I have seen trees presented at meetings and workshops where they vary from the $10 “where did you get that – have they got any more?” to the $50 “why did you choose this?”, and it is embarrassing to have to tell people that their new found “gem” may never make it to bonsai status. Let’s have a look at how to avoid the traps of selecting trees for bonsai, we can all read a bonsai book from the library where most of them will show the 6 basic styles of bonsai and some variations, I won’t go into these here because it is covered in many books, you may need to brush up on some reading if you are unsure of what they are, as these become the basis of your tree selections.
When looking at trees, give them the once over, don’t be shy, pick the tree up if you can lift it, and view it at your level, look at the basic structure of the roots, the trunk and the branches . Does the tree have roots radiating out from all around the trunk? – dig your fingers down into the soil and feel the roots, do the roots blend into the trunk nicely with some flare and taper? Does the trunk have any shape, flare or movement to it? Does the tree have suitably placed branches up the trunk, or can you grow some new branches to suit the style you can visualize? Tilt the tree on different angles and try to look at what style may suit it best. Some trees are already set in their structure and can be easily seen, others may take a bit more time to work out. Lots of nursery trees and plants are unsuitable for a bonsai, if you are sure you can see a bonsai within the pot plant, then you have a positive selection. If you cannot see a bonsai within, then you need to ask yourself why you are buying the plant, it may be because you desire one of that species and can’t find anything better. Don’t buy that leptosperum just because you wanted a leptosperum, buy it because you know it has the potential to be a nice bonsai. An upright, thin, straight plant will usually always be just that, however, you may have a vision of what you can make the plant do to grow it and shape it as a bonsai, just be aware that when presenting a plant like this to a demonstrator or instructor, that he may tell you that the plant needs to be put into the garden bed for a few years to create some bonsai features within the plant. Size doesn’t matter, the selected plant does not have to be large, I have found some wonderful little trees with instant bonsai potential and created a bonsai on 6 or 8 cm in height. Obviously, the better the structure a plant has, then the better chance it has of becoming a nice bonsai, or the better chance of a tutor at a workshop congratulating you on your pre-bonsai selection, along with his enthusiasm to work the tree with you.
IMAGINATION – The art of seeing a tree in its future, look at the tree within, build the tree in your mind, blank out the branches in your mind that aren’t needed, think about the shape of the foliage pads you would like, can you see the tree? Sadly, some people cannot and I am unsure of how to instill the insight of a future bonsai in their mind. I can only take them through the process step by step, showing them the wonder and beauty of each structural aspect and showing them that the refinement of a show worthy tree will come later as their skill level increases. Imagine the trees that you look at in parks and gardens, in the fields and off the side of the roads, do you manage to see the structure of these trees, do you ask yourself “why does that tree look good to me?”. You do look at trees in their natural settings, don’t you? Look at trees in nature and then look at the plant you are holding, can you see the tree? If you can’t then think carefully about spending your hard earned money on just another plant.
Remember the basics, the plant you choose will need to have some points of merit. Root spread and distribution (nebari), trunk taper, shape or movement, branch structure and placement. The foliage pads can come later.
I have purchased a multitude of plants over the years that did not meet my expectations, but I did learn a lot by experience from making a lot of mistakes with these plants, so maybe in the end we all need some experience. I hope that these notes may help some of you through your next exciting and successful nursery tour.
David Allen 15/05/2011