- 1. Formal Upright
- 2. Informal Uprigh
- 3. Slanting
- 4. Cascade
- 5. Semi Cascade
The Formal Upright.
To make good formal upright, make sure that about one third of the trunk is visible from the front . The first branch should be at about 1/3 of the total height. The distance between the branches should decrease as you get closer to the top of the tree.
To get reasonable trunk taper can be difficult. However by pruning the top back hard while allowing the bottom branches to grow on you can over the space of a few years induce reasonable taper.
Recommended Species: Bonsai Larches, Juniper Bonsai , Pines , Conifer Bonsai and Spruces Bonsai are all suitable species. Maples can also be used, but are not as easy to train into such a conformist style. Above all, fruiting or naturally informal trees are not suitable for formal upright
Informal Upright.
The style still requires a tapered trunk, however the trunk direction and branch positioning is more informal and closer to the way a tree would look when exposed to the elements at an early age. The trunk usually takes on an unexpected curve or series of twists and the branches are thus positioned to balance this effect.
The way of developing the trunk on an informal upright is the 'Clip and grow' method, where a tree is allowed to grow away, to thicken up. The tree is then cut back to a few inches, ideally above a bud and then allowed to grow on again. The process is repeated several times, each time the cut is made higher up. In a few years you will have a good trunk and can then set about forming the branches.
Jin (carved remains of dead or unwanted branches to look like dead and rotting limbs of a tree) is also more appropriate and effective with the informal upright style
Recommended Species: Most species of plants are suitable for this style, mainly the japanese maple bonsai (Acer palmatum), Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum), Beech, practically all Conifers and other ornamental trees such as the Crab Apple, Cotoneaster and Pomegranate
Slanting styles.
Recommended Species: Most species are suitable for this style, as the style does bear similarity to informal upright. Conifers work particularly well
Cascade Style
Recommended Species: Many species are suitable, if they are not strongly upright.
Semi Cascade Style.
Recommended Species: Many species are suitable, except strongly upright ones. Flowering cherries, cedars and junipers work well.
1 comment:
Thanks for the information.Beginner bonsai trees should all have one thing in common - they should all be easy to look after. Although the art of the bonsai is often seen as one which is extremely difficult and takes many years to master, this should not put off anyone new to bonsai growing.
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