Flowering quince_Trunk it...

Typical Chaenomeles has a shrubby look and this is reflected in a vast majority of bonsai made from this plant.  As the life is not always straightforward,  there are exceptions from any rule.  No surprise there are as an exception also flowering quinces with trunks.  Sometimes the trunk is just made from a taproot that is gradually exposed to the life above the ground.   And this was the case with this plant. 

2013

Driving on a highway,  I have spotted some red flowering shrubs on the sideways.   Flowering quinces scattered on the rocky earthwork surrounding the highway.  Roots squeezed between the rocks, no chance to collect without preparation.  I have selected one plant, removed rocks around the thick root and replace them with nice soil.   Then,  during the summer weeks I have stopped there now and then bringing some water.   

Spring 2014

Collection.   First few rakes into the soil have revealed a lot of nice tiny roots.  Great!? No.  One of the first things you learned as a Yamadori hunter that there is no hurry.  Visible roots under the surface may come from other plants in the vicinity.   You should find the forks - the place from which the first side roots emerge from the main tap root.   Normally it is on the same level as the fine roots.  But sometimes,  as an EXCEPTION ( again) there is something that I call the U roots.   The fork can be found much lower and the visible roots  have grown from there to the surface where more nutrients and water are available.   As a result,  I have lifted a lot of rocks to get to this point.   In fact,  I have tried to find one or two more forks  so I have dug even deeper, but no luck. Just a single one.

   Back at home,  I have planted the quince to a pot, leaving the major part of the main root exposed. 

Interesting thing.  At the beginning the exposed area had very smooth reddish surface.  Within a few days the sun has burned the exposed  smooth "skin" changing it dramatically.  In fact, I thought I had killed the pure beast.  But luckily the quice was a tough fighter and did not give up.  Well, as you can see the tree has lost its nicely curved top as a result, but I will try to built a new one...

Summer 2017

The plastic fence:  I am trying to get some additional exposed roots there.   If there is only one I will name it  John Silver

Winter 2017

Now the fence is back in its place and the plant stored for winter time.  

Have a good winter rest Johnny...