Czech Yamadori

The Drunkard This is my first hawthorn.   The name which is not very poetic for bonsai comes from its twisted roots.   If I remember well the tree has grown in a crevice that has formed the basic shape of the roots.  The piece of stone at the base of the tree came only some time after the  collection.   The growing pot is a bit larger to allow the free growth of  roots that are encircling the stone from its front and back.  I hope that within the next one or two growing seasons to roots will be strong enough to present them as a surface roots that should create with the existing ones a stable root base. Front  view Back view Detail of my stupid attempt to speed up the ageing of the bark at the bottom section of the tree.  A few years ago I used a flat chisel to puncture the bark.  While the idea is maybe not completely wrong the execution was a disaster.  The cuts are too dense and the appearance of this part of the tru...

Prunus mahaleb_A bit of procrastination I should have been working on the apple tree this weekend.   Well, as I have been  still contemplating the possible design of it from different angles for quite a bit of time  I have decided to stop it  for now and to work on another teaser.    The cock - that is the nickname of this tree in my file - is about 24 cm tall and nearly 40 wide.   If you look at it there are two nearly independent part.  The first one in the shape of twisted pig tail and the other  is stretched to the side trying to reach something in a far distance.   From the side, it looks like a cock to me.    Well, the tree is not THAT  bad.   I would rather say it is I who cannot grab its natural yamadori beauty and make the most of it. Nov 2014 Spring 2015 Summer 2015 After pruning  Front Option 1 Detail of the shari and jins The greyish part is the origina...

     Global warming_a final proof_hummingbirds spotted at Czech Karst near Karlstein This is the final proof to stop the  endless discussion about global warming.   The  hummingbirds that are without any doubt a  typical representative of birds with domicile in  tropical or subtropical countries on the other side of the globe have been spotted and photographed in central part of Czech republic.   This place near the castle Karlstein is known as the Czech Karst and it is also a place with temperatures well above the rest of the country.   This factor plus its proximity to the Prague's airport could lead to a possible explanation of this breaking news.   The world -wide known Czech ornithodologist  Karel Hauptvogel is  rock-solid sure:  "  The hummingbirds are merciless invaders of new territories.  In last few thousands of years they extended their habitat located  originally in central  America t...

Current height:  60 cm Collected: Spring 2014 This Pear has grown in the tiny  stone pit used in the past by locals to get some material for their houses.   The pit was abandoned while ago and now the nature is slowly taking it back. The hawthorns, wild roses, locust trees are the dominant species that are again invading the space with enormous vigour. I came to this area during my search for the blackthorns that grow on the adjacent slopes.   I was initially attracted by the hawthorns and only accidently spotted a tree that grew in the pocket in the otherwise upright stone wall.  Many years ago a small seed of a pear landed in the crack of weathered rock.  Anchored the first tiny roots and begun the life of struggle with hard rock, scarce water and nutrient supply.   The nature elements - water, frost, sun and wind - have combined their forces to erode the place more and more.   On one side it was beneficial to the tree on the other side t...

I have postponed repotting of this pear till next year to allow development of the roots and the branch structure.    The slow development of the roots is a real challenge here.   I hope that with more foliage the tree may develop some new roots.    I will also try to get some small plants that could be grafted to the tree if necessary. This summer  I plan to enlarge the natural cavity  in the trunk.

Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that stimulates root growth.   There are many brands commercially available.   And there are also numerous  natural sources of the same stuff.   For those who prefers the natural approach,  who are not bothered by some sweat and dirty hands th ere is the Nature with it s pantry full of goodies. The most common source of IBA in my region is a  willow tree.    Actually,   this tree is not  only a beautiful solitaire used for centuries in gardening or landscaping to make the embankments of lakes, rivers and ponds firmer.  It is also a source of energy for the  bees ( pollen) or humans ( biomass ).  Chewing the bark of willows has been used to reduce the fever and inflammation as the bark contains salicin that was used to develop aspirin.   The whips of willows are also important part of an Eastern seasonal activity. One of the most important Slavic symbols of Easter ...

In  spring 2008 I was in a woodland on the north part of Prague searching for a blackthorns.   The whole area has been covered by the bushes of all possible sizes but none of them did not make me take out my camera.  It is not a problem here to find a nicely sized trunk with cracked bark.  But there is no movement on them.  Just long straight pieces of wood without any taper. The search brought me to an old pear.   I have touched the nicely formed bark that has been developing for many years.   I was about the leave the area when I have noticed  tiny  branches  pushing their way out from the cover of fallen leaves.   I have got on my knees and my fingers cleared away the brown leaves and pieces of tiny branches.   The heart beat has accelerated and my mind was full of expectations.   There was a very small tree with remarkably old cracked bark covering  thick trunk with a small cavity.    It takes many yea...