This Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), submitted by Ken T. (that’s all he wrote) has some promising potential. I like the gnarly knob on the right that makes the tree unique and tells a little story. Still, I can see a few things that might improve it.
1. I think soil line could be just a little higher so the base of the tree has a more anchored feel. Maybe if the soil was up to the bottom of the knob on the right and that little root was covered. Another way of saying this is just to lower the tree in the pot.
2. Perhaps letting the crown grow up higher in the center and then rounding it off some would balance the tree a little better. There are certainly other possibilities, but no matter, I think the crown could be stronger.
3. All the little exposed roots on the surface of the soil are distracting. A higher soil line (see #1 above) or some moss could fix this problem.
4. Though it’s hard to tell with only one side showing, I have a feeling that if you could turn the tree a little counterclockwise, the front might be a little better.
How ten suddenly became eleven
I know I said ten and eight plus three makes eleven, but these last ones all came in at about the same time, so what the heck?
The $100 unique bonsai contest is officially closed
But don’t worry. We’ll have more contests. Next time don’t wait so long!
This flowering serissa was submitted by Brian and Jill. It looks healthy, the flowers are great and the strong little trunk is a good start. Unfortunately the pot is too big for the tree; at least for show purposes. A too large pot can work for growing on and encouraging development, so maybe that is their intention.
This little ficus was submitted by Susan Richards. I like the way the trunk is wired. It promises a good future for this sparse little tree. But the future, when the tree is much larger, is mostly what we have to go on at this point. Right now the aforementioned sparse leaves are way too big for the tree, as is the pot; at least for show purposes. I’d like to see it in four or five years.
Hi Wayne,
Sorry I didn’t include any information about the tree when I submitted it. The little exposed roots aren’t actually tiny roots but sphagnum moss. This is a very hardy species so I was able to remove about 90% of the roots all at once. I use 100% sphagnum moss as the planting medium to help the roots heal in the first few years but I know the appearance of sphagnum moss isn’t too appealing.
Thanks again for having this contest and for posting my tree, it’s a great honor for me to be included in this contest.
Sincerely,
Ken To
You commented (appropriately) about the pots on the last two, but not on the first. Ken’s pot is the right size, shape and color, but the ornamentation is an unnecessary distraction from the tree. Lose the white bamboo painting, and the pot works much, much better.
I think you are right. The white on the dark brown is too strong and definitely distracting. As far as the color goes, I think the dark brown is alright, though I would rather see that tree in a glazed pot.
In general, people seem to have trouble finding appropriate pots. This is understandable as most people don’t have a large collection of empty pots laying around to choose from, so they find something that roughly approximates their needs. If money were not an object, any serious enthusiasts would be well served by having a large selection of pots on hand.
Thanks Alan and Wayne for the input. The pot in the picture was a Chinese pot that I bought at an orchid nursery for 75 cents. In addition to the bamboo design, there are some Chinese characters on the other side in white as well.
I wish they would’ve left the pot unpainted. I find that the workmanship and material on this pot was of very high quality for a mass produced China made pot so I was unable to resist paying 75 cents for it.
I agree that the tree would look better in a glazed pot, I think the unglazed pot is a little too powerful for this tree. I also think the tree looks a little too young to be in an unglazed pot, do you agree?
Again, I thank you both for taking the time to provide valuable input on this tree. It’s nice to get professional advice for free.
Thanks,
Ken
You are welcome. I appreciate your input and who could ever fault anyone for buying a sturdy little pot for .75?
And thanks for entering our contest BTW. Look for some info on judging very soon.