A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF “THE ELEPHANT” LARCH.

This post was previously posted on Sept 02, 2010.

Hi, everybody,
I am currently working on part IV of my “ELEPHANT” story to post onto my karamotto bonsai website HERE and while going through all the photo’s I shot this year, I thought it might be a nice idea to post here 3 of the progressing pictures from this growing season for my friends who visit my blog.
I have been working on this old Larch since 2004 and next season it is finally time to plant it into a nice pot! I can’t wait to see how it will look in a proper pot! I hope that the “ELEPHANT’ will be showable in 2013. But I don’t mind the waiting at all and I look forward to working those few years on improving this fine tree!
Above: 10-4-2010. After more than 2 days of wiring. Still, without, its new foliage, you can better see just how many layers and levels I created in every main branch. I know it is far from perfect yet, but it is slowly getting there! Very Happy

                                                     Above: 24-4-2010.
                                                        Above: 10-5-2010.

                                                       Above: 29-9-2010.

Here is a close-up of the partially exposed root base. Over the years several large obstructive roots were removed from the front side. This was done in several steps, spread out over two years. Doing it this way, most of the otherwise large wound, had time to close itself, leaving only a small wound when the rest of the root was removed. If you look at the middle of the picture you can see some cut-paste from one I recently removed. The small scare that is now left is 4 times smaller than when I would have cut it off in one go! I love that flaky bark!

Cheers,
Hans van Meer.

Info: karamottobonsai@hotmail.com

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I hope you enjoyed this little update on the “ELEPHANT” ?!
Cheers,
Hans van Meer.
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6 thoughts on “A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF “THE ELEPHANT” LARCH.”

    1. Hi Eric,
      and thanks for warning me. The showed up fine on my screan so I did not knottest anything! You safed me a lot of work! 🙂
      I am glad you like what I have don!
      cheers,
      Hans.

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  3. Hans. Beautiful work. I really love this great bonsai in spe. Question (I hope I did not missed it in the text): How will you deal with the roots at the left side of the trunk? Will you consider removing these and thereby loosing the visual impact of a thicker trunk at the base, or do you want to place a stone e.g. inserted between the trunk and the roots?

    Best regards
    Your friend, Morten Albek

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  4. Hans,

    I really love this cascade. the bark is just awesome.
    when do you plan to put this elephant of yours in a pot?
    seems to be very ready now for the proper pot.

    regards,
    jun

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  5. This one is a real masterpiece. I love the fact that it grows “lower” than the pot itself. Gives it a really classic asian style.

    Thanks for sharing this story.
    Paul

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