Bonsai Collection of a member of Ahmedabad Bonsai Club

Jade Twin Trunk Bonsai

2010-07-20T23:42:00.001-07:00

Current Image - July 2010
It took me a while to straighten up this plant, which was in cascading down as seen in last image. It was a challenge that it cannot be straightened up, and after two year of wiring, rewiring, it finally has worked in my favour. Alas, when i re potted in current pot, i planted it in a slanting way, for it appealed to me. Though, i am still confused, as what will be the final shape straight or slanted.

Last wiring - June 2010
Straight plant, clean twin trunk style.

Early 2010, guess, I was in a bad mood, i twisted the trunks around each other & named it Krishna.

Mid 2009 - the plant had straightened to a great extent after 1 year of wiring.

Mid 2008 - Plant after first wiring.

Original Image - Bought this plant in Mid, 2008

For more images of Jade Twin trunk - click here for more details

Jade Bonsai - Inform Style Mame

2010-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jade as on July 2010 - After few monsoon showers, i had repotted this into a 1 Inch high, 5 inch wide tray. This is under training since Mid 2008, whenc i had planted a cutting next to huge stone as seen in the last image in this photoseries.

Picture of jade post repotting early June, 2010

Picture of jade post repotting early January, 2010

Picture of Jade, Mid 2009. Had rewired & reshaped.

Rewired.

Stone Removed. Pruned. Early 2009

Picture of Jade in Dec, 2008 or around, after growing wild for few months.

Picure of jade Mid 2008, when i wated the crown to fall & cover the face.

Adansonia / Boabab

2010-07-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

Under training for more than 2 years. Seen beside is an image as on July, 2010. The white background is the outline of the canopy i plan to build for this beautiful tree.

Boabab can survive for 5000 years and the biggest one is in South Africa, which has a Beer bar inside its trunk, worth seeing.

It stores all the water it needs in its fibrous trunk & can go without water for months. An ideal plant for indoor bonsai during winters when it shed all its leaves & becomes dormant. No need to water for months at a go.

Bonsai Tutorials

2010-04-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

- Click here to know all about Fertilizers for your Bonsai

This will tell you all that you need to know about plant food.

- Things to keep in mind, when selecting pots for your Bonsai

It is very important that the pot is in proportion to your Bonsai. This article will tell you as what you need to keep in mind.

- Tips on how to wire Bonsai

Without wiring, you cannot achieved the desired shape. This article tells few things to keep in mind when wiring a bonsai.

- Wind Swept Style Bonsai tips

This is probably the most difficult bonsai style. Things to keep in mind, when making a wind swept style are listed in this article.

- Cascade Style Bonsai tips

This is the most astounding style of Bonsai, listed here are some of the finer points of cascade style bonsai.

- Twin Trunk style tips

What you need to know before you try your hands on Twin Trunk style bonsai is mentioned here.

- Bonsai Basics

Some basic points that you need to keep in mind, before you get started are stated in this article.

- Makin Neem Bonsai

here are some of the points that you need to keep in mind for making neem bonsai

My Bonsai under training since 2007

2010-04-30T23:13:00.001-07:00

# Jade Twin Trunk Bonsai

Under training for last 2 years since Mid 2008, to view the progression series click here

# Jade Informal Style Mame

Jade Informal Style (Mame) - Under training since last 2 years (as on July 2010), to view the progression series, click here

# Boabab Slanting Style Bonsai

Boaboa /Adansonia - A tree that can live for 5000+ years. Under trainign since 2 years.

# Rayan /Khirni Informal Upright style bonsai

Rayan - Under Training since 2 Years - to view last 2 years of progression, click here

2. Jade - Formal Upright Style - Click here to view more details

4. Jade - Twin Trunk Bonsai - click here for more details

8. Rayan - click to view more details

10 Peregrina / Jatropa Literrati bonsai

11. Peregrina / Jatropha - click to view more details

12. Adenium click to view more details

13. Neem Bonsai - click for more details

about fertilizing bonsai

2010-04-23T02:03:00.001-07:00

Plants make food by process called Photosynthesis, where Carbon dioxide & water in presence of sunlight gets converted into Sugars & carbohydrates, and this is what plants feed on. Fertilizers are like Vitamins for plants, which aids in carrying out the various functions like growing, photosynthesis, flowering, seeding, etc.

Fertilizers are classified as
- Macro-nutrients
- Micro-nutrients or trace elements

Macro-nutrients:
These are further classified as Primary & Secondary Macro-nutrients:
- Primary Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K)
- Secondary Calcium (Ca), Sulphur (S), Magnesium (Mg)

Micro-nutrients or trace elements
Boron (B), Chlorine (Cl), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo) and Selenium (Se).

Organic vs Inorganic Fertilizer
To plants it makes not difference if the Fertilizer is Organic or Inorganic. All that it needs is Macronutrients & Micronutrients in the right proportion to grow. It does not care if the same is manufactured or is available as natural resource i.e cow dung, compost, manure, etc.

Solid vs Liquid Fertilizer
Plants absorb nutrients from roots or via opening in leaves. In nature, the roots play a major role in absorbing fertilizers. Remember roots do not eat soil, all it can do is absorb water & fertilizers dissolved in water. Hence it makes no difference to plant if fertilizer is available in solid or liquid form.

What Fertilizer to Buy?
Together Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium is know as NPK. Composition of NPK differs as per plant requirement i.e NPK 19:19:19 or 24:19:19, etc. These rations determines as what % of element in more & in which ratio. NPK 19:19:19 means all three elements Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium are in equal proportion.

Element: Use Purpose
Nitrogen Ability to produce chlorophyll & thus aids in plants growth
Phosphorous Roots development, Flowering & absorbing food
Potassium Protection against draught, cold, diseases

NPK 19:19:19 which has all nutrients in balanced proportion is recommended for Bonsai Plants. The fertilizer you buy should contain the other elements too as listed above but in very small quantities.

Usage guidelines;
- Please refer instruction manual thoroughly
- Please seek usage instruction from expert if possible
- Fertilizers should be used sparingly
- They should used in small quantities, once every 2 weeks
- Preferably they should be diluted in water & than fed to the plants
- If sprayed on leaves it should be done during early morning or evening hours
- Excess usage can harm plans & even kill them
- Usage should be more in Growing season & less in dormant period

Ramesh Sinha
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club
9924332267

Join Indian Bonsai group on Facebook

For more information, please visit this website.
http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fertiliz.htm

Wind swept style bonsai

2010-04-12T04:59:00.000-07:00

Picture courtesy - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=73893&id=546591265 Tony Tickle album on Face book.

One of the most exciting wind swept images I have come across, as seen in raw nature. If you plan to make one, here are some points to be kept in mind. Pl. note that this happens to be the most difficult style to copy.

- Note, the center most branch is the longest, and if you can tilt the image by 90 degrees, you will see a triangular shape. Simply put, it is formal bonsai, laid horizontally.

- Try to show dead wood, and rough wood, which is a typical characteristics of a wind swept

style.

- The branches will turn 180 degrees and go on the opposite side of the flow of wind

- The background should be visible form between two branches

- The lower part will have lesser growth because of branches above

- The tip of branches are towards the sky

- The branches are more or less horizontal, and are not falling down

- Show less foliage

- In above picture couple of trees which are planted next to each other have grown in wind swept style, if it was one tree, foliage would have been very less

- ramesh sinha

pl. share your learning on this style

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club

Join me on Facebook

2010-03-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Visitor,

I have been now days daily updating Indian Bonsai Group on Facebook. I request you all to join India Bonsai Group by clicking here. It's Free.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134040618089

Unknown Giant

2010-02-27T02:03:00.000-08:00

I had picked up this giant some time back. Seen below is the image of the plant post cutting, carving. As you go below, you can see the actual plant.

I do not know as what variety of plant this is, but will figure out, once the leaves start to show up. The wood though it looks very hard, is actually pulpy & soft. The trunk base is like 1.5 to 2 feet & the current height is approx 2 feet.

Rest I will be updating soon, once I come to know how to remove this underline.

After Pruning & Repotting:

Removing Tap roots for repotting

Before Re potting & Pruning

Wood carving done

Dead branch before scooping

Close up of Trunk

Position for repotting

Right Side view of plant

Left side view of the Plant

Back side view of the Plant

Front Side view of the Plant

Wind swept style

2010-02-23T00:35:00.000-08:00

Well this is not a style for bonsai beginners as its movement of the branches & overall tree that matters. Leaves, Flowers & Fruits cannot sustain longer duration of strong windy condition & eventually fall and wither away.

You'll find wind swept style trees on Mountain cliffs in nature where winds blows in one direction thought the year. As a result, you will find growth in the opposite side also know as sheltered region. Young branch on the windy side either break or they bend as much as 150 degrees & start growing in the opposite direction, which can be considered as deformity in other bonsai styles.

Windswept style bonsai is characterized by strong & twisted long branches and do not have a very strong sub branching. Leaves, fruits & flowers are just notional. Further branches can be of equal lengths but most of them are long & wavy. Only the branches on the windy side are small. Remember that younger branch will bend more compared to older branches.

The fall of branches should be towards the ground, because of gush of winds & gravity if wind is blowing from the side, or towards the sky if wind is blowing from the bottom i.e. from the valley. The branches should not be placed horizontally as in case of formal or informal style.

Winds don't come down from top, and for those who believe that it does, than go for cascade style & not wind swept.

Heavy winds results in broken branches on the windy side & hence add jin to create an impact. Adopting drift wood/phoenix graft /tanuki will enhance the overall look. Go for evergreen trees rather than deciduous trees. Juniper are the best for this style.

ramesh sinha

ahmedabad bonsai club, gujarat, india

Tips on selecting appropriate pot for your Bonsai

2010-02-19T04:35:00.001-08:00

Tips on selecting appropriate pot for your Bonsai

Off late something else is keeping me occupied and hence my contribution on this blog is limited. Nevertheless, few days back I got a chance to go through few articles on Bonsai Pot selection and thought of sharing the key points to be kept in mind when selecting a pot for bonsai.

#1 - When you look at a Bonsai Tree, it is the tree that should stand out & not the pot. If colour, shape or texture of the pot hits your eye first, something is seriously wrong. Thumb rule is when you look at the mirror, you should get to see your reflection without any distortions. If Golden frame of mirror hits your eye, than the purpose of the mirror is lost. Also remember $ 5 Bonsai & $500 Bonsai Pot does not make $505 Bonsai.

# 2 - The height of the pot should be equal to with diameter of the trunk.
# 4 - Angular pots (Rectangle, square, hexagonal design) go with Bonsai with Masculine characteristics like Sari, Jin, Dead branches, etc.
# 5 - Oval, round pots go well with Bonsai with Feminine characteristics like Flowers, soft branches, good foliage, etc.
# 6 - The depth of the pot should be slightly less than the spread of the Tree
# 7 - The length of the Pot should not be more than 2/3 of the tree size
# 8 - For cascade style - select appropriate pots, it should not be plated in oval or trays
# 9 - For Literati style, go for oval or round pots
# 10 - For forest style, go for rectangular trays with low height such that user can go into the landscape & see the plantations
# 11 - Go for unglazed pot for evergreen trees like pines, etc.
# 12 - Go for glazed pots for flowering, deciduous trees and pot can be of contracting colour to enhance the look of the bonsai during spring & autumn
# 13 - for mame bonsai, go for bright colour pots
# 14 - The base of the pot should be smaller than top of the top to give lighter effect
# 15 - Pots should have enough holes

remember, there is only one rule for training pots - bigger the better. The above rules are applicable only in case of a Trained bonsai, ready for display.

I will love to add more points, so please feel free to contribute.
Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club
9924332267

Bonsai Tree & Pots exhibition

2010-01-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club will be completing 1 year in Feb 2009. On this occasions, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club is organizing exhibition of Bonsai Trees & Bonsai Pots on 12, 13 & 14th Feb, 2009 at Horticulture Nursery, Lawgarden, Ahmedabad. All of you are cordially invited to our stall no. 14.

New members who are interested in Bonsai, can enroll for Bonsai Basic Training Course at the Stall too.

Ramesh Sinha

Jade Semi Cascade Progression series - latest image

2010-01-18T05:26:00.001-08:00

Latest picture of Jade Semi Cascade, post re potting.

Front View:

Top View:

for earlier picture to view the progression, click here

http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/07/jade-semi-cascade.html

Original Plant

2010-01-04T01:04:00.000-08:00

Jade Bonsai - Back Side

Jade Bonsai - Front Side

Height - Under 5 inches from rock top

Width - 6 Inches

To view the progression series of this plant, click here

http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/jade-bonsai-on-rock-style-jade-mame.html

My Bonsai New Year Resolution

2009-12-31T03:05:00.000-08:00

My New Year Bonsai Resolution:

# 1 - Don't cut & and than style the Tree. First Style the tree - design it on paper, sleep over it - and than cut is required the next day. The more day you can spend thinking about it, better.

# 2 - Style you plant in Big Pot, and only when the same is ready to be exhibited, repot & shift it to a smaller Tray. Remember, Bigger the pot, better the result.

# 3 - Nourish, Fertilize, Feed & Pesticide the plant on regular basis. Remember the plant can survive on nothing, but than what you will get in return is nothing.

# 4 - Have patience, the rome was not built in a Day. When you cut/wire the plant, pledge not to disturb the plant for next 3 months minimum after operation. Don't expect miracle.

# 5 - Take opinion of others, it matter for they are going to judge the plant, as you judge other plants.

# 6 - Go Local. Try all Local varieties of plant for Bonsai. No more Jade, Ficus varieties. Pledge.

# 7 - Do not invest in Pot before the plant is 3 years old. Invest in a Good plant instead. Remember, the value of plant will grow manifolds year after year, the value of pot will only diminish.

Join me on Indian Bonsai Group - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134040618089

Join today, it's free.

The black book of Bonsai

2009-11-23T05:05:00.000-08:00

# http://bonsaitonight.com/ - I found this website quite interesting & simple. Check it out.

# Here is an website, that has collection of good articles on Bonsai by world best masters. Have a look at it & comment. http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm. I am yet to go through them but I am told that they are really really good bonsai articles.

Ramesh

US National Bonsai Museum

2009-11-21T01:58:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends

I came across this links which shows in details United States, National Bonsai Museum. Check it out. Here is where you will find GOSHIN, a master piece created by Sir John Naka.

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Gardens/collections/VirtualTours/BonsaiVirtualTour_01.html#Slide

Click here to see museum's the Japanese Collection

http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/japanese.html

To view museum's the Japanese Bonsai Collection click below

http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/chinese.html

To view museum's North America's collection click below

http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/north_american.html

Some of the museum's beautiful suiseki - stones can be seen on this link (My favorite)

http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/site/viewing_stones.html

Here is something I liked. This is a must see. (Chinese Rock Penjing)

http://www.absbonsai.org/gallery/ABS2008/rock/rock-1.html

Let us come together to come up with something similar in India. To start with I expect someone from Delhi Bonsai Club to take pic of National Bonsai Museum located at Lodhi Garden, Delhi & upload, if the same is allowed.

Ramesh Sinha

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, India.

World Bonsai Friendship Federation - 2009 Bonsai Photo Contest

2009-11-20T22:53:00.000-08:00

Here are some Bonsai worth dieing for. I am totally amazed. Truly inspirational. I am sure all of you will love it. It took probably decades to make them, and hence it takes some time to load because of high quality of Bonsai pics, but be patient, it worth it.

Click below to see world's best - top 20 Bonsai ( 2009 photo contest).

http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/octoberbonsai/honorable_pics.html

To view top 5 collection click

http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/octoberbonsai/runners.html

To view the 2009 Grand Winner click

http://www.bonsai-wbff.org/octoberbonsai/firstplace.html

Ramesh Sinha

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club

Styling Cherry Bonsai

2009-11-20T00:54:00.002-08:00

A friend of mine recently shared his couple of years old cherry bonsai & requested me to style it for me. Find below the original tree & the 3 options i have suggested him. Pl. share with me your styles or opinion if possible. Please add your email id when you add a comment.

Original Plant:

Option 1: Wind Swept Style suggested by me for his cherry Bonsai

Option 2: Jinning suggested for his cherry Bonsai

Style suggested by Kapilas creation.

Ramesh Sinha

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, India

Please add your email id, if you leave a comment below.

Ryan Photoseries

2009-11-06T04:15:00.000-08:00

Rayan, as on July 2010
Under training for last 2 years. Originally i wanted to style it in umbrellas style, which is visible in last year photo below, but than later I changed my mind & made it informal upright. Rayan is also know as Khirni & is a very slow growing tree that can leaves for couple of decades.

Rayan, as of August 2009

Nebari close up,

Post pruning in Dec 2008, a year back

Pic as on March 2008.

Jade Twin Trunk Style Bonsai

2009-08-10T04:32:00.000-07:00

When I bought this plant, I was sort of confused as how to style it. It had two trunks, one that was leaning extremely left & other one was informally straight. I sort of liked it unique style and didn't wanted to disturb it so wired the plant without disbursing its original style. Later, after 2 months, i moved it to a blue tray, post which I required it again. Progression series spread over period of 6 months is shown below. Hope you like it.

Jade Twin Trunk as on August 2009 post rewiring: (LATEST IMAGE)

The picture angle is not correct & hence true beauty of this plant is not revelled. Guess I need to pick up basic photography crash course.

Jade Twin Trunk Front Side as on August 2009, before wiring.

This is how the plant looked before wiring. The branches were allowed to grow wild, when I had shifted it to this blue-brown tray. Only one wire was retained that ran through the left trunk.

Jade Twin Trunk Back Side as on August 09

Seen above is the back side of the tree. As you can see, there are no branches which Post rewiring, 3 branches have been moved to back side to fill the vacuum.

Jade Wiring post wiring, as on March 2009

This is how I first wired it. I initially thought of developing one crown on the left branch, which now has 3 crowns under training. The branch on the left trunk that was moving backward has been moved to front side.

The first branch on left trunk that was going back, has been bought to the right side. Another branch has been positioned on the left side of left trunk to balance the first right branch. To branches has been pushed back & crown slightly trimmed.

Dead Wood Stock 1.5 Feet

2009-08-10T01:36:00.000-07:00

Dead Wood Stock gifted by Bhaveshbhai.

The height is less than 1.5 Feet but has amazing characteristics. Few elements have been added to show Jungle Fire. In 2nd & 3rd Image the groove for the plant to fit in is shown by Red colour. In all either 3 plants can stick to this Dead Wood or 2 plant (One with 1 trunk & second with 2 truck can be used.)

Front Side View:

Back Side View:

Side View:

Jade Bonsai on the Rock Style / Jade Mame Bonsai on the Rock

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

Jade Bonsai on Mountain / Rock (Progression Series 2 Years)

Update January 10

I took feedback from 2 Bonsai masters and their comments were

- The Trunk & Branches needs to be clearly visible

- The Pot is too big.

Acting upon their proposal in late December, I defoliated the plant, shifted it to a Shallow 1/2 inch deep oval shaped tray and plans to wire it to make the branch & trunk more visible. I am sure the plant will survive, let's hope.

Here's my 2 Year old Jade Bonsai on Red Mountain. Height is approx 4 Inches so can be also called Mame Bonsai on the Rock.

Jade as on December 2009 - Back Side

Jade as on December 2009 - Back Side

Jade Bonsai As on August 2009:

The plant has now good number of branches and an exposed root that allows it to stand tall on mountain on its own. This is how it looked after 2 Years of training. Click on image to view the larger picture of Jade Mame Bonsai on the rock style

Future Plans:

I plan to shape the above jade bonsai on rock in following manner, as shown below. This can take 1-2 years to achieve the desired shape.

Jade Bonsai as on August 2008

For ramification purpose the tree was allowed to grow wild as a result of which long branches are seen below as on August 2008. Click on image to view the larger picture of Jade Mame Bonsai on the rock style

Jade Bonsai as on Feb 2008:

In few months time, few branches had developed and it looked similar to a mame bonsai on the rock. Click on image to view the larger picture of Jade Mame Bonsai on the rock style

Jade Bonsai as on August 2007:

The plant was planted in a pepsi bottle to develop long roots such that it can be planted on a red sand stone mountain that I had found on the road. This is how is looked in 2007, post repotting & few showers. Click on image to view the larger picture of Jade Mame Bonsai on the rock style

Formal Upright Jade Bonsai

2009-08-07T02:10:00.000-07:00

Formal Upright Jade Bonsai.

Specifications:

Under Training - August, 2007, 2+ Years

Style - Formal Upright

Height - Less than 1 Feet

Pot - Yellow, Oval Ceramic Pot from Pandit Ceramics, Mumbai.

Latest Pic, post pruning - May 10

Pic taken as on Jan 10

Pic taken as on November 09

The reason I love to work with Jade Plant, is they make great Bonsai in less than a years time. Just compared the below two images, taken at a gap of 1 year. Just Little wiring made all the difference.

Jade as on 15th September, 2009, after re-potting.

Jade as on 15th September, 2009 before repotting.

Front Image taken on Aug 09. To see the bigger image, click the picture below

Image of Jade as on August 2008

Pic of Jade Bonsai few month before it was wired in August 2007.

Bonsai is like a Sunset, with every passing moment the colour changes. It grow form good to better to best. I think making bonsai is like painting a portrait of a beautiful girl, right through her childhood to youth, and right through here transition from a Lover to wife, from Mother, Grandmother. The essence of Bonsai lies in understanding that bonsai is perfect, and yet it needs pruning, wiring every month.

Back Side of Formal Upright Bonsai as on August 09.To see the bigger image, click the picture below

Side View as take on Aug 09. To see the bigger image, click the picture below

Current Status

I have shifted this plant to a Oval Pot on 19th Sep. With a wire, anchored to the base of the pot, I have wired the main trunk to give uprigth shape. The plant was not watered for last one week, and I don't plant ot water it again for next 1 week, to prevent rot.

Jade Twin Trunk Style Bonsai

2009-08-07T01:52:00.001-07:00

Jade Twin Trunk Style Bonsai

Specifications

Height - 1.5 - 2 Feet

Style - Twin Trunk

Under Training - 1 Year

Twin Trunk Jade Tree under development. Seen one is an image taken on August 09. Check the progression serices (Latest to first) as shown below.

Front Sideview of the Jade Twin Trunk bonsai. Click to enlarge picture

See Below is image of plant taken in Feb/March 09. To make the plant stand 3 anchor wire was used as the trunk was very weak.

Back Side of Jade Twin Trunk Bonsai: Click to enlarge picture

Top View of Jade Twin Trunk Bonsai.Click to enlarge picture

To abvoe plant was cascading at pot rim level. To see the original picure of this jade plant, click here http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/04/jade-twin-trunk-style.html

Jade Forest Style Bonsai Under Development

2009-08-07T01:23:00.000-07:00

Last monsoon i started working on Jade forest. This is how the plant looked, when I first planted the Jade last year in August 2008.

Click to blow up the Jade Forest Bonsai Image taken on August 08

One year down the line this is how the plants looks as on August 2009. In between I have wired the jade, pruned & added some more plants. Seen below is the front side of the Jade Forest - click to blow up the image taken on August 09

Seen below is the back side of the Jade Forest Style Bonsai. Click to blow up the image taken on August 09

Seen below is picture take from top to show the forest floor visible which can be used to create a gravelled pathway eventually. Still more empty spaces needs to be filled up. Click to blow up the image taken on 2009 August.

Eventually on of the jade tree will be allowed to Grow taller than the mountain peal and rest all plant will be of height equal to rock or lesser than complete the design. My main focus is not to fill the empty spaces with more plants & to have a solidly rooted plant.

I am more worried as how to shift the plant into a shallow oval shaped tray. I have one 1/4th Inch deep Oval tray, which i think will be ideal for this plant. The repotting will be done this year or next year, depending on my patience level.

Ramesh Sinha, For bonsai club of ahmedabad

Dead Wood Stock

2009-07-31T23:44:00.000-07:00

Isn't it just wow! A dear student of mine gifted me this dead wood she had picked up some 5 years back from a village. It was lying ideal as a show piece & had started to rot. I convinced her to share the same with me and this is how it looks post drying, cleaning.

Height: The height of the trees is approx 3.5 -4 Ft.

The Beautify Front Side.

I can only imagine the tree's beauty when was alive. I don't think i can give this kind of shape to any tree on my own, which nature has perfected.

The Groovy Back Side.

A channel has been dug out in back side to attach a tree. I plan to work on Ficus or Juniper depending on the stock i get. I still need to carve out more, such that the plant can be set in easily. Further carving will be done once i get the plant.

Update as on 13th Sep, 2009

I have shifted this dead wood to a large Tray along, and have planted Kachnar tree alongside to make a beautifu Kachnar Bonsai. To project the base, i firsted applied favicol & than covered it with a plastic sheet. The Kashnar I had was slender but 5 Feet tall plant. I have set the plant in the grooves with the help of wire.

I plan to unwire the tree and rewire again such that the treee is set in proper position. By month time, it should take the rough shape as per the movement of the tree. As of now because the branches & leaves have been chopped, what one gets to see is just a Dead wook in a pot and hence the pic is not available.

Jade Formal upright

2009-07-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Specification:

Age - Approx 7-9 Years

Trunk Width - 8 Inches+

Height - 1.2 Ft

Span - 1. 5 Ft

Style - Formal Upright

Ownership Since - April 09

Last Wiring - April 09

This plant was kept on a lentil & forgotten by the owner. It took a lot to convince him to share the same with me. As you can see top 3 Inches of Pot has been removed to show the Beautiful trunk, which obviously the original owner had no idea of.

The original Pot size was roughly 1.2 Ft. In phase 1 the Bottom 3 Inches of the pot was chopped along with top 3 Inches of the Pot. The remaining pot - roughly 8 inches in height was put in a shallow tray as seen in the picture.

The plant has sustained the operation & has started to bloom again. This monsoon, it has not enjoyed a single shower, for I fear trunk rot. I lost a similar Jade when the same was re potted because of moisture.

In preparation of phase 2, I have further separated the bottom 3/4 Inches of the pot (seen as a circular mark above the tray) such that the final height of the pot will be roughly 5 inches. I am yet to slice the Mud to remove the bottom 3/4 inches of the mud.

Post Wiring as on August 09 this is how the plant looks. To view the picture click on the image below.

I am looking for a good oval tray to re pot the same. Suggestions are invited.

Jade Full Cascade

2009-07-31T22:30:00.001-07:00

Key Demensions:

Pot Size - 8 Inch, rectangular ceramic cascade pot from Pandit Ceramics

Fall - 24 Inches from Apex to Bottom. The Trunk lengths is almost 32 Inches.

Age - 3 Years Approx, Under training for last 6 months

I bought this Jade Bonsai in Feb 09 from a nursery in Ahmedabad for just Rs. 100. Initially this Jade was very lean, semi twisted & was placed against the wall. It was first wired in March 09 to its present shape while conducting Training at Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.

This jade was than shifted to present pot in Late July 09. I had to literally beg Preetiben to give me this pot, which i think is ideal match. However, I am open to pot suggestions.

To develop the crown, a branch from the backside of the trunk is used. Now the focus is on ramification of branches & to develop crown for which re wiring was done in July 09. This Jade was allowed to enjoy 2/3 showers of monsoon and than it inside the house. It can now enjoy next monsoon.

To support the fall, a wire pedestal is kept, which you can notice if you view the larger image. To view the larger image, click on the image below.

Jade Semi Cascade

2009-07-31T21:58:00.001-07:00

Jade Bonsai - Semi Cascade Style

Pics as on January, 2009 post re-potting

Front View

Top View:

for earlier picture to view the progression, click here

Pic as on October 2009:

The branches on the left side, which are falling below the rim has been straightened. The crown has been pruned & now 5 alternate branches are more clearly visible. (Will be visible in next pic I upload in March 2010). 2 branches have been developed in back side to balance the tree.

I bought this Jade plant a year back in Aug 08 from Ahmedabad Nursery. This used to be a tree that was horizantally spread as seen in original image at the bottom of this page. Initially I had planned to be develop it into a informal upright style, for which for few months i had even wired & made it upright. My bonsai teacher wanted it to be developed into a slanting style, but on my insistence he shaped it into an semi cascade. That was six month back. With couple of rounds of pruning & rewiring, this is how it looks as of now August 09.

Top View: Click on the picture to view large image in new window

View from Bottom: Click on the picture to view large image in new window

I think in next one year, it will be a ready bonsai. The last branch on the cascading branch will be lifted up gradually so as to arrest the fall. The crown is being developed from a branch which is lifted from one behind the trunk.

A stone is kept under the cascading branch to support the weight. It need to be rewired now, will do it post monsoon. To anchor the tree, I have wired it to the base of the mud pot. Initially it was planted in a full size 1.5 feet tall mud pot.

I am open to suggestion as to which shape of ceramic pot I should shift this bonsai into.

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, 9924332267 ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

Original Jade Plant as on August 2008

My Bonsai Diary July 2009

2009-07-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

14th July, 09
For last 10 odd days i was more busy than usual and hence could not update the blog. It had rained once and hope it catches up for the shortfall. I have more space at my place, so plan to bring my bonsai home . Delayed monsoon & loss of my penthouse were responsible for loosing some of my bonsai collection but the good thing is next year i will have an opportunity to grow 250 bonsai & make biggest bonsai collection in Ahmedabad. Looking forward to it.

Right now at my Place I have 10 odd jades of different style & shape under training. All of a sudden Piple, a variety of Ficus has caught my attention. I will sure want to give some time in studying this play as i have done in case of Jade.

The ones i had placed at ramdevnagar 4 died, 3 survived. They are back at my place, are being taken care of. Gulmohor peter umbrella style , Ficus harrington raft style & Jade cascade survived (these are one of my favourites). Jade, Bamboo, Champa & one more died, don't recollect which one.

The ones that were at pangrapole - Jade semi cascade, jade informal, jade formal, adenium, ficus, jathropa survived. Bougainvillea, Shoe flower, Grass, Mayurpankh, ficus triple trunk died.

The once at manekbaug - Jade harrington, jade umbrella, neem, , rayan slanting, adenium, survived. ficus (died), grass (died), champa (will die). Guess 2/3 more plants are there which i do not recollect.

5th July, 09
Me & Parag had been to a members palce & to Abad Nursery. We spent some 2/3 hours in all, but it was worth it. Nursery guys are selling good stock at throw away price becuase of delayed monsoon. Those of you who are interested in buying bonsai, this is the right time.

2nd July

My new experiment in Jade Bonsai.

When planting a jade cutting, plant it in totally dry soil. Do not water it for first week or so. Than start with Once a week & in subsequent weeks try decreasing the frequency by a day till you do no reach level of 2 times a week if jade bonsai is kept in shaded place or thrice a week if kept under full sun.

Excess watering will rot Jade bonsai, so occasionally keep checking the trunk. If bark peels off or if the trunk is soft, than the rot has set in. Remove the rotted part with fresh blade till you do not see pale yellow/white or green trunk. let is try for few day & re-pot in fresh dry soil., Remember while the trunk is rotting, jade will still be green & flourishing at the top. So best thing is to keep checking the bast occasionally. For Bonsai club of Ahmedabad, Ramesh Sinha

Bonsai Resources Tools, Pots, Classes

2009-06-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Bonsai Tool Sets:

I also sell Imported Bonsai Tools - Chinese & Japanese

Concave Cutter

Knob Cutter

Wire Cutter

Leaf Cutter

To buy, please contact 9924332267

Learn Bonsai - Bonsai Basic Course

Contact Ahmedabad Bonsai Club. We provied weeked training for just Rs. 1500/- Per Person. Bonsai Basic Course will cover the following topics such that you can master the art of making Bonsai;

- Bonsai Introduction covering History, etc.

- How to Shape Bonsai Tree?

- How to wire Bonsai Tree?

- How to Prune Bonsai Tree?

- How to repot Bonsai Tree ?

- How to take care of Bonsai?

For more details contact Ramesh Sinha 9924332267 one of the Founder member of Ahmadabad Bonsai Club, or email me at ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

Bonsai Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.

Bonsai Materials

If you are interested in buying Pots, Bonsai Wire or Pre Bonsai Plants please get in touch with me. I will be happy to provide you the necessary assistance.

- Bonsai Ceramic Pots

- Bonsai Aluminium Wires or Bonsai Copper Wire

- Pre Bonsai Trees

For more details contact Ramesh Sinha 9924332267 one of the Founder member of Ahmadabad Bonsai Club, or email me at ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

Bonsai Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

My Bonsai Diary June 2009

2009-05-28T21:57:00.001-07:00

29th June, 2009
Rewired 2 Feet tall twin trunk jade bonsai. The older image can be seen here
The branch spead has bee minimised.
The top 3 branches has been repositioned.
One of the two anchoring wire has been removed.

27th June, 2009
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club members gathered at Parag Mehta's place & learned landscaping. Further it was an opportunity for eveyone to view his collection.

26th June, 2009
If you want to see images of Ficus Variety for making bonsai visit this link - http://www.cfgphoto.com/photos-ficus-fig.html
ramesh sinha ahmedabad bonsai club

Parag Mehta is in process of creating a great Ficus bonsai (Pipli). Its progression series can be viewed on his blog. We had worked on it when we had initially met. It is a 10 year old plant or maybe even more. In last 1 odd year it has responded well & in next 2 years it can be developed into a price winning bonsai from Ahmedabad.

23rd June, 2009
Checked http://www.cactuscollection.com for succulents & other forms of cactus. I think one can spend entire lifetime behind growing cactus & succulents & yet not manage to cover even 50% of the species available.

22nd June, 2009
Bhavnagar Bonsai Enthusiast had put up a bonsai exhibition recently. The picture of the same is available on Nileshbhai Orkut Profile http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Album.aspx?uid=7235309261661736231&aid=1245363570. Enjoy. Some of them are really great bonsai.

19th June, 2009
Finally could figure out the creator of this fantastic Jade shown below - Jim Smith. His site is worth visiting. http://www.jimsmithbonsai.com/index.html. If case you are interested to know the price of Jade Bonsai first one was sold for 10,000 US$, second for 7000 US$ & third for 2000 US$. To view his creation, pl. visit his website.

18th June, 2009
Not having a space to work on plant is frustrating. So, here's an open invitation to all of you. If you got a Good Bonsai Material, i can train your plant. Just call me on 9924332267. I can travel to any part of Gujarat. So make most of me, till i do not shift to me house which is likely by March 2010.

14th June, 2009
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club monthly gathering on 14th June 2009 was a great Success.

We had a great gathering at Vanita's place and worked on good number of plants. Got opportunity to shape here two decade old Jade plants. One was styled as Informal Upright Bonsai & other one into Twin Trunk bonsai.

Ms. Tarala Parikh, an Octogenarian & Bonsai Master joined our club.

Preety had bought some pots from Mumbai & she was generous enough to share the same with other members of the club who bought out the entire collection of 75 exquisite bonsai pots .

" love is like flowing water, it's pure when it's flowing. It stinks when it stagnates"

12th June, 2009
Continued with working on Jade. Checked web to find crassulaceae varieties & came across this page. Worth visiting http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Crassulaceae/
Jade is a variety of succulents. To see great pictures of Succlent log on to http://www.thesucculentgarden.com

11th June, 2009, Thursday
I am currently working on Jade. This one has 3 Trunk, and 50+ Branch & sub branches. All Compressed in less than 10 Inches in Height. Styling was a big issue trunk & 79% of branches movement was not clearly visible.

So created bunch of sub branches at Branch level and tied them together post which a clear trunk movement was visible with 6-8 branches spread evenly in 360 degrees.

Challenge
The right trunk is highest, middle one is a smallest & left trunk is medium in height. A branch from right trunk had developed over the middle trunk because of which it could not grow. I wish to retain all 3 trunk & that a big challenge. Let's see what strikes me when I start styling it which can take couple of sessions. Rain is around the corner in Ahmedabad, hope it comes soon my bonsai are eagerly waiting for the same.

10th June, 2009, Wednesday
The big problem with Jade plant is, it snaps easily when you wire it. The ones i bought has many branches and reaching out to the inside branches is a problem & hence wiring is next to impossible. Today by accident I discovered that with bracketing I can achieve what you can do with wiring in Jade. I may not be the first one to use bracketing, but of may bonsai books, bonsai blogs & bonsai websites that I have read I didn't find a chapter on bracketing method hence I guess this is sort of a innovation.

Stapling - holding a branch with V/U shaped wire clip
Bracketing - holding 2 or more branches in a desired position with C shaped wire clip

9th June, 2009, Tuesday
I got the opportunity to visit Mecca of Bonsai in Gujarat i.e. at Jinabhai place at Valsad. Jinabhai thaught me bonsai, & I was floored by his collection & work. For some reason he stays away from fame but if you are in Bonsai, than whenever you get time, you should visit him.

7th June, 2009, Sunday
I bought 3 beautiful Jade plant, each with trunk diameter of 6 or more inches, which are planted in 12 Inch pots. The nursery owner use to trim the excess fall to make new Jade plants, because of which all of them have developed into umbrella style bonsai by accident.

I don't want to keep the same look, because the trunk is not visible. So I have decided to wire & give them a new shape over period of time. Each Jade has 50 or more branches & is less than 10 Inches tall, so it will take some time. The branches have become very stiff as well as jade by default is brittle so one has to be very careful. Each jade plant can take a week or more to wire, assuming i manage to give 1/2 to 1 hour a day.

I went with Bhaveshbhai, who bought a beautiful peeple tree. With little training & some time, it can be made a beautiful bonsai.

5th June, 2009, Friday
How to make Bougainvillea bloom
Do you know that Bougainvillea is a native of South America. It loves full sun, dry & arid conditions. To make the Bougainvillea bloow prune the branch tips, stop water for few days to make the plant believe that it is about to die. Than when you water it again, it will give you beautiful flower as if it is its last chance to propagate. For bonsai club of Ahmedabad - ramesh sinha

3rd June, 2009. Wednesday
The good thing about moving to a rented place is I am learning new thing about gardening in Ahmedabad, which i use to ignore while staying in a Penthouse. My new place is sandwiched between the floors, and has just 1 small balcony which gets few hours of direct sunlight.

Ideal condition to grow money plant in Ahmedabad is to keep it next to a Glass Window which gets Sunlight for few hours a day. Even if the window remains closed for most of the day, and if the room is air conditioned, it will grow beautifully. Just ensure that you don't over water it, restrict watering to twice a week.

2nd June, 2009, Tuesday - Mealybug
All of you are would be familiar with this pest it's called Mealybug. It produces white sugary powder which is meal for ants & hence named mealy bug. To know more about this pest check
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mealybug. Its population will grow in presence of ants, which protects them & in lieu of protection they feed ants.

As you guys know I am a great fan of Jade Plant. Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_plant to know more about this plant

31st May, 2009, Sunday
Monthly meeting of Ahmedabad Bonsai Club was a big fiasco as few people many turned up for monthly bonsai meet.

Worked on Preeti's Jade plant which was 5/6 year old plant & had started to rot. We made 5 plants out of one Jade, and styled it in Slanting, Twin Trunk & Informal upright styles. While replanting Jade, I removed almost 95% of the leaves such that the shock is limited & it is forced to branch out.

30th May, 2009. Saturday
I had a 3 trunk jade plant which somehow didn't appeal me so removed one & made a twin trunk. The problem is both the trunk is of equal diameter and height. I am going to allow it to grow for sometime, and will review it later. Inspired by japanese rock garden, i tried to make a landscape in the pot for the first time - though it turned out to be very crude, i am sure with practice it will improve.

"Love is all about accepting a total stranger & giving him/her more importance than oneself"
ramesh sinha, ahmedabad bonsai club, www.tendertiger.com

29th May, 2009

Jade are the best plant to make a Bonsai in Ahmedabad. I have this small jade plant which was wired to develop into a informal upright style Bonsai. I had picked it up this February for Rs. 10 during Annual Horticulture Show in Ahmedabad. While removing the wire today i noticed that it can be developed into a Wind Swept Style. Post wiring the final product looks great, as there are 6 Branches on the left hand side & one on the right hand side. The right hand side branch I have kept because it is the first branch of the tree and has some ramification (sub branches). Will upload the picture of this plant in few day once re-wiring is complete.

I am yet to figure out as what is the best way to update a blog, so working on this diary format, where I hope to update it on regular basis. Data will be published in descending order. Ramesh Sinha, Bonsai Club of Ahmedabad

Japanese Rock Garden & Bonsai

2009-05-27T23:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry, for not updating my bonsai blog for sometime. Cause I have shifted from my penthouse, to a rented house has a small balcony on temporary basis, i am unable to work on my bonsai. Most of them are now at Ahmedabad Bonsai Club members place, and cheerfully all of them have agreed to cooperate, for free! Also my back problem has aggravated to sciatica, and that has kept me immobile for almost a month now.

For last few days I am browsing Internet for Japanese Garden. It's also know as dry landscape or Zen Garden or Karesansui (in Japanese) . Just like bonsai, they say Japanese garden is never finished. It changes with season & time. There are various styles, just like in Bonsai but one that has attracted my attention is Japanese Rock Garden. It is basically a sand bed (which represents ocean) & rocks (which represents islands). Trees & Bonsai are optional in most of the case, however if you decide to use them, lesser the better.

The sand bed which comprised of Grave of 1 - 2 Cm in size max, has to be raked, such that is given an impression of flowing water body. Rocks of different size are placed individually or in Group such that overall a soothing scene is created.

You can google around to read more about Rock Garden,

I found great pics on http://www.phototravels.net/kyoto/zen-gardens-index.html

Japanese Garden is meant to be viewed from one angle & this is not always the case. Japanese Rock Garden are easy to maintain, but than it needs to be raked everyday or as frequently as you can.

I think if we combine Japanese Rock Garden, Bonsai & Suiseki it will make a killing combination as seen in the picture below. One of the Stones can also be used as a pedestal to keep a bonsai. If anyone of you is interested in making one, than I will be willing to work with them on this project.

Things to keep in mind, when making Japanese Rock Garden in Ahmedabad.

- A border of pebbles which separate the rock garden area. The pebbles colour should be in contrast to the gravel colour that is used in the rock garden pit.

- If plot area permits, create 5 islands should be there which should comprise of 2 Individual stones, 1 pair of 2 stones, 1 pair of 3 stones, 1 heart stone. Please keep in mind that rock denotes islands & gravel the ocean, accordingly keep proportion of rock & gravel same as land & ocean.

- Rock can be directly planted in gravel or on a slightly raised platform which can be covered with most or shrubs, never trees.

- Gravel needs to be raked to create a Serene picture & wakes of sea/ocean

- Rock Garden can be created in tray, terrace or as one part of a big garden

- Ideally rock garden should be fenced from 3 sides such that outsiders cannot view the same & creates a disturbance when somone is viewing the same.

- Rocks with sharp edges should be avoided

- Rocks wtih similar shape should avoided.

- When 2 or 3 rocks group is creted, they should complement each other

- Size of gravel can vary from 1/2 cm to 1.5 cm max, ideally pieces of Granites should be used

- Corase white sand if available is the best material for the gravel

- Fountain or pools cannot be created, gravely is methapor for the same

- Don't create something that nature cannot like Square, Circular, Star, Triange shaped garden or stones should be avoided

- Go for odd no. of stones in the japanese rock garden

- fimilarize yourself with few japanes terms that go with Rock Garden

- the aim is to greate a landscape in a small garden

- remember, less is more as per japanese rock garden master

reference article:

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/japanese/2003/design.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_garden

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/japanese-gardens.shtml

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081399_build-japanese-rock-garden.html

: ma - space

: wabi - one of a kind or spirit of something, solidarity

: sabi - ideal image of something, patina (e.g. moss covered rock, denoting aged rock)

: sumi - balance

: in & yo or yin & yang

ramesh sinha, ahmedabad bonsai club

Making Mame Bonsai in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

2009-05-08T00:55:00.001-07:00

Reducing height of a Tree for making Mame Bonsai in Ahmedabad, Gujarat:
- I had a tree which was roughly 2 feet in height with no branches on first 1.5 feet of the trunk. It had a beautiful crown with 6/7 branches but the first 1.5 feet of the trunk was bare. In fustration to develop the branches throughout the Trunk...
- I chopped it by 1 Feet as a result of which it profusely branched out (10 -12 new nodes appeared in all) in the remaining 1 feet. I noted that though the new branches sprouted from as low as 2 inches from base of the trunk. Before you chop the tree it is important to have in mind the position where you want the branch to develop. I deliberately kept the height to 1 feet such that depending on how plant reacts, i can reduce the height further.
- Later I realised that only the top branches took the leads. Had I allowed the top branch buds to take the lead, the branches that had appeared at the base would have died.
- Important thing it to know that once branches go strong, if you prune them, then new branches will develop at branch level & not on the trunk, hence it was important that the bottom branch buds were preserved & they were given the chance to grow.
- So, I chopped the tree by another 6 inches such that the branches at the bottom of the trunk get enough opportunity to grow.
Hope this works and I am in a position to develop 4/6 branches in a 6 Inch Bonsai Tree. Pl. try this on you Bonsai & update me if it work.
Pl. comment on this article if you find it worthy by clicking on the comments link below.

Bonsai Basics - Chapter 1

2009-05-05T00:14:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1 - Get your First Bonsai in Flat 10 Minutes.

Bonsai means a Miniature Tree in a Tray.

If you wonder as how a Tree can survive in Tray? here is the rational for the same.
Soil has minerals & nutrients that are essentials for any Tree's growth. When you water the plant, the minerals & nutrients present in soil dissolve in water. Because of the soil, the entire water does not drain out of the pot, but is retained in the pot in form of moisture. The bonsai tree roots absorbs this moisture & gets the basic raw material required to make food using photosynthesis. The moist soil keeps the Roots moist, which is required in most of the tree.

So technically speaking if you can give your Bonsai Tree required amount of water & necessary minerals/nutrients required without drying out the roots, the Bonsai Tree will still survive. To plant a tree you can choose various medium Stones, Bricks, Sand or Soil. As soil already has basic nutrients present, just watering will suffice. In other medium you will have to add nutrients along with water to make the bonsai tree survive.

Making your First Bonsai.
Buy an Adenium from the nursery which has nice caudex (10 inches in circumference). Google around to see picture of Adenium & what caudex means.
You can either remove the entire soil, & throw the plant in one corner of your Garden (in a semi shaded or shaded place). You will be surprised that the plant will survive for weeks without water & soil. That's not all, it will continue to give flowers.

Alternatively, you can plant this tree in a tray which contain just sand or pebbles or brick bites or mixture of above 3. And presto, you have your first bonsai ready.

So you have your first bonsai in a Tree, it obviously does not look like a Tree. We will have to style it like a Barber styles our hair. Bonsai Styles are covered in next Chapter.

Bonsai Quotes

2009-04-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

# 1) The worth of a bonsai is the sum of all the idiots who have worked on it - Unknown
# 2) Remember, if your tree died, ... you killed it. They don't commit suicide. - Hec DeBrabant
# 3) The bonsai is not you working on the tree; you have to have the tree work on you.
# 4) Killing trees is the tuition you pay for learning bonsai. - John Naka
# 5) Bonsai art is the display of a landscape -- without the landscape. - Nobu Kajiwara
# 6) It must have philosophy, botany, artistry, human quality behind it to be a bonsai
# 7) -Bonsai is not the result: that comes after. Your enjoyment is what is important.
Some of the Quotes of Bonsai Masters compiled by Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, Gujarat., Rajkot Bonsai Club, Surat Bonsai Club, Junagadh Bonsai Club, Jamnagar Bonsai Club, Mehsana Bonsai Club, Patan Bonsai Club, Surendranagar Bonsai Club, Kalol Bonsai Club, Palanpur Bonsai Club, Amreli Bonsai Club, Kutch Bonsai Club, Porbandar Bonsai Club, Veraval Bonsai Club, Gandhigham Bonsai Club

Get your own Private collection of 11 Jade Bonsai

2009-04-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Good News Gujarat, Ahmedabad Bonsai Enthusiast!
If you wanted your own private Bonsai Collection, here is the Golden Chance. I can work with you for next 2 Years (24 Sessions, One Session every month) & help you grow your own Private Jade Bonsai Collection of 11 Pieces, each styled differently.

What all this offer includes!
I will be working with you personally for the next 2 Years to make your private Jade Bonsai collection (One to one training). I will provide you the following
- 11 Jade Plants, each 3 Years Old having 3/5 Inches trunk diameter at the base
- 11 Authentic Chinese Bonsai Pots (Imported) to suite each style
- 11 Suiseki to compliment Jade Bonsai Tree in a tray
- Bonsai Tools Set
- Buy Back Guarantee at end of 2 Years
- Bonsai Tray Landscaping

Further in next 2 years because of one to one training you'll learn;
- How to make Bonsai Soil Mixture? soil making experience?
- How to Fertilize Bonsai Plants?
- How to care for Bonsai Plants ?
- How to re-pot Bonsai? Repotting Experience
- Bonsai Wiring, Trunk Bending, Branch Bending Experience
- Ramification Experience
- Pruning Experience
- Growing Ascent plants to compliment bonsai tree

Buy Back Guarantee to buy your bonsai collection
At the end of 2 years when your Bonsai tree matures (each tree will be 5 Years old), I guarantee to buy back the same, If for some reason you are not interested in keeping your collection.

11 Bonsai Styles that will be covered are;
- Cascade Style Bonsai
- Semi Cascade Style Bonsai
- Formal Upright Style Bonsai
- Informal Upright Style Bonsai
- Literrati Style Bonsai
- Slanting Style Bonsai
- Twin Trunk Bonsai
- Broom Style Bonsai
- Mame Bonsai
- Raft Style Bonsai
- Abstract Bonsai

Bonsai Lovers from Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Mehsana, Bhavnagar, & across Gujarat can contact for detailed offer, 24 session course material on 99243322678 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com.

Want to Buy Bonsai, than I can help you.

A good 5 year old Bonsai can cost up to Rs.10,000 and hence it is important that you buy form a reliable source who sells only healthy plant. In Ahmedabad, Gujart or India there are limited sellers as such who sell Quality Bonsai. To Buy Bonsai contact me.

Founder
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club
http://ahmedabadbonsaiclub.blogspot.com
ramesh sinha

Tags:
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, Surat Bonsai Club, Baroda Bonsai Club, Rajkot Bonsai Club, Gujarat Bonsai Club, Bonsai Club, How to make bonsai, Buy Bonsai, Sell Bonsai, Bonsai Tools, Bonsai Care, Sell Bonsai, Bonsai Soil Mixture, Bonsai India

Tutorials

2009-04-15T03:06:00.000-07:00

- How to make perfect soil mixture for Bonsai
Bonsai Soil Option 1:
Something that will suite for Ahmedabad Climate is
1/3rd Part - River Sand or Granite pieces that will aide in drainage
1/3rd Part - Brick Bites or anything that retain water/moisture
1/3rd Part - Vermi Compost
Bonsai Soil Preparation Method
Mix Sand, Brick Bite & vermi compost & place & plant the tree in this mixture. This mixture is ideal for those plant that need moist environment.Top it up with Moss or a suiseki stone.

Bonsai Soil Option 2
1/4th Part - Granite Pieces (1/2 Inch size)
1/4th Part - Brick Bites (1/2 inch size)
1/4th Part - Sand
1/4th Part - Vermi Compost

Bonsai Soil Preparation Method:
Put Granite Pieces at the bottom of the pot. Mix Brick Bites, Sand & vermi compost & plant the tree in this mixture. This mixture is ideal for Bonsai Tree that need less water like Jade, Adenium, Bougainvillea, etc. Top it up with Moss or a suiseki stone.

Important Notice:
Important thing is that using a sieve, remove the fine dust which is there in Sand/Soil which disrupt drainage & aeration. Remember the golden rule, Free & loose soil mixture will result in Good root growth, which in turn will result in Good growth of tree.

Bonsai Soil Mixture Experiment for Growing Bonsai in Ahmedabad, Gujarat Hot & arid Environment
I recently read that Bonsai can be grown in medium without soil & hence thought of experimenting with the following soil mixture.
- I made brick bites & than crushed it further
- I sieved brick grains (brick bites of sand grain size)
- I washed the Brick grains thoroughly to remove the brick dust.

How to plant Bonsai Tree in this Mixture:
- Spread Gravel at the bottom of the tray
- Mix Brick Bites (1/2 Inch in size) with Brick grains
- Pot the bonsai tree in this mixture in a tray

Brick Grain is great at water absorption & yet does not turn soggy like soil. This gives roots to spread easily & evenly. If anyone of you experiments with this Bonsai Soil Mixture, I will love to know as how your plant reacts. Updt on 14th May, my jade plant in Brick Soil Mixture has failed. I'll try again, for I am sure this thing should work.

- How to make Palm Bonsai?

- How to make Neem Bonsai?

- Cascade Style Bonsai Tips

- Twin Trunk Bonsai Tips

- How to achieve desired shape of Bonsai with help of wire - Wiring Tips?

- Buying a Bonsai? Things to Keeps to keep in mind when buying a bonsai?
If you do not know anything about Bonsai, than you will probably kill a Bonsai. Unlike plants in Big pots & in nature, Bonsai need special care & hence basic knowledge of bonsai is must. I strongly advice that you first learn bonsai basic before you buy a bonsai plant. For basic bonsai training you can contact me on 9924332267 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

If for some reason you have to buy Bonsai in Ahmedabad to gift someone, than I suggest you keep the following points in mind;
- Bonsai is not a tree chopped & planted in a pot, but a tree in a miniature form.
- The trunk should be broader at Base & thin on top (taper)
- It should have multiple branches
- Each branch should have multiple sub branches
- A Clear natural form is visible, and there is nothing unnatural about it
- Greener the tree, the healthier it is
- The height of bonsai should be less than 1 Ft (shohin bonsai)
- If Bonsai height is more than 1 Ft, is should cost you above Rs.10,000 +
- If bonsai height is less than 6 Inches, it should cost you Rs. 25000 +
- Check if the tree you are buying is worth the money you are paying
- Check if the tree you are buying is visible in & around you in nature
- Check if Bonsai seller is willing to give Bonsai Buy Back guarantee, most professional Bonsai sellers will provide you Buy Back Guarantee
- Check if regular health check, bonsai care service is available with seller

I also offer Bonsai valuation service. You can send in the picture of Bonsai you intend to buy, i can suggest you if you should buy that plant or not. You can contact me on 9924332267 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

If you are looking for excellent pre bonsai materials, you can contact me for joint nusery visit. You can contact me on 9924332267 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

If you wish to sell your Bonsai or Bonsai Materials, i will be interested in Buying the same. You can contact me on 9924332267 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

Going on a Vacation, I will love to take care of your Bonsai. You can contact me on 9924332267 or ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

My Mame Bonsai Collection

2009-04-09T00:17:00.000-07:00

Ascent Plants / Mame Bonsai Collection
Mame Bonsai are bonsai which are less than 6 Inches in Height.
Ascent Plants are plants that compliment bonsai plants which are again potted in small tray & it's height is equal or less than Mame bonsai.

Banyan Tree:

I wish to develop a crown on the end of the trunk, hope it clicks. Currently 3 leaf nodes are visible, I am praying that all of them develops.
Alternatively, i can allow all 3 leaf buds to grow into vertical branches & add few more in future to give is a forest look similar to what Harry Harrington has done.

Bottle Green Grass in Blue Tub:

Bottle Green grass in a blue rectangular tub. Contract looks great. A perfect desk top plant to distress.

The Ghost Town

Seen in the background is my dead Juniper. Ididn't wanted to throw it away & hence created this landscape. I will be shifting this landscape on a tray, such that it last's forever. So friends, don't throw your old trees, they can come in handy.

Lolino Mame Bonsai

This Lolino has big bulb & long leaves. The caudex is approx 3 inches (perimeter) & the pot is just 2/3 Inches in height. I water it once in a week by tubbing and no other care is required. Has been in this pot for more than 3 months now.

Jade Twin Trunk Mame

This was initially potted in a big tray than I shifted it in this small pot to enhance its beauty. Will take another 1 year or so for two crowns to be developed. Has been there in this pot for more than 6 months now. I Water it daily & do tubbing once in a week.

Grass 1 - Complimentary Bush

It is generally used to create a boundary in Garden. Is available at any nursery for Rs.10 or less. If you break a twig & plant it, it will grow too. It loves Full Sun Light & needs excessive watering. I do tubbing every day & kept covered with moss for water retention.

Grass 2 - Complimentary Bush

It is generally used to create a boundary in Garden. Is available at any nursery for Rs.10 or less. If you break a twig & plant it, it will grow too. It loves Full Sun Light & needs excessive watering. I do tubbing every day & kept covered with moss for water retention.

The Money Plant:

Succulent Variety

Jade

Rohilia

Must See Ascent Plants
Must see ascent plants by Harry Harrington - http://www.bonsai4me.com/galleryaccentplants.htm

Must see ascent plants by Morten Albec http://artofbonsai.org/galleries/accentalbek.php

Must See Mame Collection (less than 6 Inches in height)
Must see mame collection by Harry Harrington - http://www.bonsai4me.com/gallery%20mame.htm

Must See Shohin Bonsai Collection (Less than 12 Inches in height)
Shohin Bonsai Collection http://www.shohin-europe.com/Europeangalleryind.html

My Jade Collection (under training)

2009-04-06T04:51:00.001-07:00

I am in Love with Jade Tree (elephant bush). I have some 25+ Jade under training, and this page is to showcase all of them. Listed below are some of them. Click on the image to view the larger picure of Bonsai. To know more click on link below the image.

# 1: Formal Upright Style: 2 Year Old as on Aug 2008

For more details on this Formal Upright Jade click http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/formal-upright-jade-bonsai.html

# 2: Jade Twin Trunk Style: Approx 5 Years old as on August 2008

For more details on this Jade Bonsai, click http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/twin-trunk-jade-tree-under-development.html

# 3: Jade Bonsai Forest Style Approx 1 Year Old

To know more about this Forest Style Jade Bonsai, click here http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/blog-post.html

# 4: Jade Formal Upright Style Bonsai Approx 10 Years Old.

This bonsai has a trunk that is 7+ Inches wide. I bought is from a nursery in early 2009 & is under training since than. to know more click here http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/07/jade-formal-upright.html

# 5: Jade Bonsai Full Cascade: Approx 3 Years old

This full cascade is in 8 Inch Pot with 24 Inch fall. To know more click here

http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/07/jade-full-cascade.html

# 6: Jade Bonsai Semi Cascade Style

This semi cascade is under training for last 1. 5 Years. To know more click here http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/07/jade-semi-cascade.html

# 7: Jade Bonsai - Twin Trunk Style (Approx 4/5 Years old)

This one is twin trunk as it appeared naturally. To view the progression series, please click on the following link http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/jade-twin-trunk-style-bonsai.html

# 8. Jade Bonsai on the Rock Style

This is a Mame Jade Bonsai on the Rock which stands approx 4 Inches from mountain top to crown. This jade bonsai is 2 years old. To know more about this bonsai click http://rameshsinhabonsai.blogspot.com/2009/08/jade-bonsai-on-rock-style-jade-mame.html

# 2) Informal Upright Jade

This jade has a nice trunk movement. If first rises from the ground, than slants & than goes up straight. It has 3/4 trunk, all thick which is visible from the base of the trunk. I removed them to get the beautiful trunk movement.
I plan to bring down the right branch & develop a crown from where the trunk starts to slant.
The left branch is thicker, i plant to remove it, but than the new branch will take some time and hence in two minds.
Uptd on 28th April, 2009
I have repotted this Jade in a small tray which contains 95% brick bites. Hope it survives. The trunkBase which is below the rim of the pot & partially under the soil as seen in above pic, is now more visible in a tray. If Jade does not respond in brick mixture, i will repot it in a mud mixture such that it survives. Jades are as such tough plant and should survive. A day before, I had kept the Brick bites in a tray & wathered it. When I checked it the next day, the brick was slightly moist (given the fact that yesterday was Ahmedabad hottest day of last 6 years). I lost my 4 Gold fish becuase of hot weather, which were found dead today morning.
Updt on 14th May, 2009. My jade starte to rot in the brick soil mixture, & hence I have chopped off the rotted root & shifted it in a different regular soil mix. I will try with second jade in coming day with brick soil mixture.

# 4) Jade Twin Trunk (mame)

I want to develop foilage on top of left branch, which will falls up to right hand trunk crown & from there onwards, it will continue till rim of pot. On the top left side of left branch, a small fall will be developed.
Updt on May, 2009. The plant got uprooted & hence repotted in a different angle. It kind of looks good.

Click here to know more on this Jade mame bonsai.

# 5) Jade Umbrella Bonsai Style

This is probably 1 Year old tree, that i had bought is Feb, 09. I repotted & than wired it. This is how it looks as of April 09. No dedicated page is available as of now.
5th May, 2009. Removed the wires

# 7) Jade Formal Upright Bonsai Style

I bought this plant in Feb 09. Probably it is 1 year old. I have wired it excessively to make it formal upright. This is how it looks in April 09 with new leaf buds clearly visible.

Because of excessive wiring some of the delicate branches were dead.Somehow the new leaf buds were getting crumpled & hence removed the wired & put some gravel on the top such that moisture can be retained on 10th April. Hope it survives.
May 2009 - removed the wires.

# 8) Jade Informal Upright Bonsai Style

This tree was initially planted in a manner that it appeared as if falling from the rock. Than I made it in present style.
It comprises of a Branch at the bottom (left) with a branch on right hand side (middle), another branch at the back side (not visible) & a crown. Branch is made to grow in the opposite side of the rock, & one above it.

Jade Umbrella Style Bonsai

Jade Image before repotting.

I bought this plant on 5th Apr 09. This is how it looks, before wiring & repotting. Currently no dedicated page is available for this Jade. It has been potted in a Tray on 6th April, and I am waiting for it to respond. The excess foilage & branches are removed such that all 3 trunk are clearly visible now. New Pic will be uploaded shortly. If this clicks, it will be one of the thickest jade in my collection. I hear that there are thicker ones available in Ahmedabad.

Jade Image after repotting

If you view the larger picture the three trunk will be visible. It has good nebari & I plant to chop the unwanted branches such that 3 tunks are clearly visible. And than A thin crown will be developed.
As on 27th April, 09 The growth on the trunk has been removed such that tree trunk is clearly visible. The nebari has been exposed to give an impressive look. The Jade Trunk Base circumference is 10 Inches (making it the fattest Jade Bonsai In Ahmedabad, Gujarat). The crown needs to be developed. Will develop it in Umbrella style jade bonsai.
May 2009:
I saw root rot & hence removed the moss. Have shifted the tray in full sun. I am keeping my fingers crossed in a hope that this jade survives. The trunk circumferenc is 6+ inches.
15th May, 2009: The root rot was visible & hece it called for urgent repotting. I Have repotted in a Oval tray.

Jade Twin Trunk Style

2009-04-06T04:08:00.001-07:00

Images of the Plant as of 1st Feb, 2009

I had bought this Jade in Feb, 2009. It had two trunk but was cascading. I initially thought of making a cascade style but twin trunk cascade is something i had not seen & hence decided to make it Twin Turnk Formal Uprigth style bonsai.

Jade by default tend to cascade & hence a whole lot of wire went into making this tree stand upright. Pl. see the image below, pre & post wiring.

Side View:

click on the image to see the larger picture of Jade Bonsai

Centre View:

click on the image to see the larger picture of Jade Bonsai

Right View:

click on the image to see the larger picture of Jade Bonsai

Jade as of Now 1st April, 2009

click on the image to see the larger picture of Jade Bonsai

As seen above, no wooden support is taken to make the tree stand upright. The cost of wire used in this plant is more than the cost of Plant. It took a whole week to finish the wiring.

Making Neem Bonsai

2009-04-04T01:23:00.000-07:00

Tree - Neem

Under Training since - 2007

Image as on 20th September 2009, Front Side

Neem Bonsai Image as on 20th September, 2009 Back Side

Image of Plant as on 20th September, before repotting (Front Side)

Image of Plant as on 20th September, before repotting (Back Side)

Making Neem Bonsai

Well it is as easy or difficult as any other plant. The trick is to shift the plant into a tray in a phase manner show below. Once in a tray, with Loads of Sun and watering, it will survive. Neem as such needs less care & fertilizer as it grow well.

I don't know but lots of people are surprised to learn that even Neem can be trained to be a Bonsai Plant. Well my experiments with it has been successful so far and some of my students are also persuing the same.

If you plan to develop a neem bonsai, please get in touch with me on 9924332267 or mail me your request on ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com. It will be a pleasure to work with you.

My Neem Bonsai & Experiments

I have this Neem tree which is in a Big Pot - (2 Ft height which weights some 30+ kg along with Mud) for last 3 years. Some bird had dropped a seed which germinated. I have been wiring & pruning it for last one year because of which I have manged to achieve a beautiful trunk movement & couple of branches all within 1 Feet of height.

In past i had made efforts twice to uproot Neem tree & shift it to a different pot, both failed and hence never tried again. Necessity is mother of Invention as they say. Now that I have recently sold my house & will be moving out by end of April 09. I need to shift Neem tree into a smaller tray that i can carry with me. I google around but found no materials so I did an experiment, as listed below

The problem with Neem tree is that it has a very strong Tap root & lateral roots. If the same is disturbed, it dies within days. The Tap & lateral roots are very brittle & i think a good amount of plant nutrition is stored in such roots.

Past Status:
Post Size - Approx 2 Feet
Pot is filled with Mud upto 20 inches & top 4 Inches was empty.
The mud was never changed in last 3 Years

My Experiment - April, 2009
Removed top 4 Inches of soil till roots were visible & filled it again with new soil
Chopped the base of the Pot
Dug upto 4 Inches from Bottom to top of Pot & removed the soil
Chopped the Tap roots & other roots in last 4 Inches of the Pot
Filled in with fresh Mud & kept a tray below the pot, such that when watering the new mud is not washed away.

6th April, 2009
Hurray! The plant has survived. New leaves have come and it is healthy.

18th April, 2009
Neem Bonsai had survived the first pruning of tap roots & bottom 25% of the soil. Hence it was time to repot again. removed another 30% of the soil & repotted it in a tray.

The Neem Bonsai is in a 3 Inch deep tray compared to 2 Ft high Big pot.
As Neem Tree loves summers, it is growing well after 2nd repotting on 18th April.
Am keeping my fingers crossed.

10th August, 2009

I had almost forgot about this plant, as it was lying at one of my student's place. It had grown wild. It now has 4/5 beautiful branches. I have chopped & am developing sub branches. Because of lack of place, post pruning I have shifted it to another members place.

Ramesh Sinha

Ahmedabad Bonsai Club, Gujarat, India
Neem Bonsai
AhmedabadBonsaiClub.Blogspot.com

Royal Palm Bonai

2009-03-20T03:03:00.000-07:00

Status - Missing

Palm Bonsai Under Training

(click on the image to see the bigger image)

Royal Palm - Something Different
You don't expect palm tree bonsai. I have tried to create quasi bonsai. Hope, it survives & is admired.

Pic will be uplaoded shortly:

Past, Present & Future Plans:
Past
The plant was in big pot (2.5 Ft high) for almost 6 Years when i had bought this. For the last 2 years i have been removing the deal leaf stalks & fibres gradually to expose the hard, cracked trunk. The trunk bulb is now 5 inches in diameter. The average leaf size use to be 3 ft by 4 Ft.

As on March 2009:
Re-potted in Feb, 2009. What I had done is over period of 1 month, i had slashed the earthen pot from middle in phase manner. Than removed the plant & shifted it in the bottom half of the pot that was intact. For the same i had to remove the mud from all the side & from the bottom of the uprooted plant. The plant has survived as it is still green & a new shoot is about to bloom in 2 weeks time as of 19th March, 2009. Earlier the plant use to weight about 30Kg along with Plant, pot & mud. Now it is under 10Kg. The plan has good nebari that is spreading in all direction.

As on 20th April
I have removed the leaf & now I expect the new leaf bud to take its place. I have removed the coir such that trunk is more clearly visible. The problem with Palm tree Palam bonsai is that it takes 2 months for a leaf to open up. And by the time the second one crops, the first one starts to turn yellow. Heavy wind also cuts the leaves, & hence the beauty of it is lost. Guess getting a foilage (5/6 leaves at a time will never be visible). I expect the new leaf to be under 1 feet from 3/4 feet size it use to be earlier.

Future Plans:
The current Pot size is under 1 Ft. I will reduce it by 5-6 inches after 3-6 month, once 2/3 new leaves appear, probably during monsoon. And if possible, shift it in a tray. I am waiting for the new roots to appear & cramp the pot. Post re-potting, it should weight under 5 Kg & I expect the new leaves to be under 1 Feet in size from 3 Ft earlier in lines with Office palm.

Care:
The plant needs no care. I don't recollecting changing the soil or fertilizing it. Now will be doing it regulary as I take care of other bonsai.

For more details read the following links

Growing Palm Bonsai
To know all about growing palms

Ramesh Sinha
Founder
Ahmedabad Bonsai Club
9924332267
ramesh.jsinha@gmail.com

Bonsai Wiring TIps

2009-03-18T04:50:00.000-07:00

Mentioned below are some of the points to be kept in mind, when wiring a bonsai.
- Aluminum Wire: It is easy to bend, cheaper & does not chemically react with plants. Only professionals use Copper wire so learners are advised to use Aluminum wire when training their Bonsai.
- Shave: Remove the leaves such that the Trunk, Branch, Sub Branch is clearly visible & Bonsai desired position can be visualized before wiring.
- Sequence: Go in a sequence. First Wire Trunk, than Branch & than sub branches
- Aesthetics: Post wiring the plant, the wiring should add to the beauty of the plant, and hence do it in a symmetrical manner rather than doing it in a haphazard manner
- Maintain Distance: Keep distance between two twist common throughout the length of the bonsai plant, do not keep it too near & not too far
- Proper Guage: When wiring thicker branch/trunk use medium gauge wire twice rather than using thicker wire which are difficult to twist Select proper gauge/thickness of wire for Trunk, Branch, Sub Branch, etc.
- Wiring Angle: Wire at an Angle of 45 degrees. \
- Wire Position: When bringing the branch down, start wiring from top of the branch. When lifting the branch, start wiring from bottom of the branch
- Ancoring: Always anchor the wire for best wiring results. When wiring trunk, anchor at base of the trunk. To anchor branches, wire 2 branches using the same wire, cross anchoring
- Keep Check: When you see wiring sinking in the bark, it is time to remove the wire. Ideally a wire should be left for 8 weeks, for plant to be shaped in desired position. In young branches, it should be left for no more than 2/4 weeks
- Positioning: Do not twist the branch often, once or twice in a month is max allowed Bend the tip of wire inwards to support the leaf bud.
- Wire Length: The wire length should be twice the length of branch that needs to be wired because of wastage in twist & anchorage

- Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 9924332267

Twin Turnk Tips

2009-03-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

- The trunk should split from main trunk as low above the ground, as possible
- Alternatively, if trunk splits from below the ground, both trunk should be as close as possible such that they do not appear as 2 separate tree planted in a pot
- The branches, leaves should be such that from a distance it appears as one tree
- The two trunk should be clearly visible throughout
- No Branches should be there on the trunk below, from where the tree splits
- The first branch of both the trunk should fall to compensate for the height of the first branch such that long trunk appears short.
- The two trunk should be of different size
- No branches should be on the sides of the trunk facing each other
- Ideal styles are formal upright, informal upright, Slanting & Broom
- Between the two trunk, there should be single crown
- As the height of two trunk will be unequal, the slant of the crown towards the smaller trunk should be more than one on the side of the longer trunk
- Movement of both the trunk should be more or less similar

- Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. 9924332267

Ficus

2009-03-06T00:16:00.001-08:00

Name: Ficus
Age: 4/5 Years
Under Training - Since 2007, 3 years
Style: Formal Upright
Height; 1.5 Ft.
(click on the image to see the larger picture & to enjoy the jinned area)
The plant has a beautiful wavy trunk, which you can enjoy by clicking the image. This is naturally achieved, without any wiring.

Plant History:
As on 15th September, 2009

The plant is doing good in rectangular tray. It is not picturesque but I am sure it will make a good bonsai. It is being developed in slanting style. Growth is slow, so need 2 years to get the basic shape right after which i can work on ramification.

As of 1st May, 2009.
I have sold my place & have to shift. There is no way I can carry this big pot from 10th floor to new caretaker. So I have shifted it in a tray. The plant reacted poorly initially & I thought it had died. I kept watering it, and now I see 2 new leaf buds. I am sure it will survide, if summers are kind on this ficus. I have kept this in a shaded place.

As of 6th March, 2009
- Master Suggested, I reduce the height by cutting the taper because it was as thick as the trunk itself & grow the next branch as taper. Instead of cutting the earlier taper, i Jinned it & looks beautiful to me. Now I am growing the branches & making pads there.

As of December, 2008
- Plant was growing in a big cement pot for last 3 years on my terrace.
- Had wired in 2008 & build a beautiful crown with few branches. Unfortunately pics are not there.
- Had done no treatment till December 2008 but had allowed it to grow, it had reached a height of 5 feet.

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad Bonsai, Gujarat Bonsai, India Bonsai. 9924332267

Ryan

2009-03-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

Status: Missing

New Pic - April 2009

(click image to see full size image)

Old Pic Jan 2009

(click image to see full size image)

Plant: Ryan
Style: Informal Upright
Height: 1.5 Foot
Age: 4/5 Years
Under Training - Since 3 Years
Last Updt- 25th March, 2009

Post wiring, the plant takes a lot of time to get into shape. Has a milky sap & bears yellow sweet edible fruit called Ryan. In wild the plant can grow to 20-30 meters in height.

The leaves grow very slow & hence only after 2/3 pruning will the size of leaf reduce. Ideal time to prune is Spring between March-April.

Future Plans:
- The tip branch on the right hand side will go up towards the sun & form Leaves pad.
- The first left branch will be bought down to form another leaves pad.
- There is a branch on the backside at same level as first left branch.
- The plant has beautiful taper, which its long leaves over shadows. Once leaves sizes are reduces, it will stand out too.

20 March, 2009
- Pruned 70% of the leaves. The new leaf buds are visible as it's spring time. Once the new baby leaves appear, will prune the remaining 30% of the leaves.

15th September, 2009

I don't know where this plant is.

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad Bonsai, Gujarat Bonsai, India Bonsai. 9924332267

Cascade Style Tips:

2009-03-03T02:11:00.000-08:00

My Tips for making Cascade Style Bonsai or Kengai Bonsai:

#1: Remember, the main trunk does not fall & make bonsai.
#2: It is the first branch, ideally on the left hand side that falls & make cascade.
#3: The trunk tapers & forms a crowns. If required, for balance purpose there can be a second branch on the right hand side & the crown on the top.
#4: The Tip of Trunk Crown & Tip of Branch Crown should be in one straight line.
#5: Ideally tall rectangular pot should be used.
#6: The movement of branch that cascades should be visible
#7: Remember when you look at the cascade branch Reverse formal or informal upright tree should be visible, though it is not mandatory.
#8: It is difficult style & hence draw as may Cascade tree as possible before you wire your plant into Cascade style.
#9: In cascade branch, the individual sub branches should form a crow, facing up toward the sun.
#10: The tip of cascade branch can go even below the bottom of the pot.
#11: Height of the main trunk should be max 25% of length of the branch that cascades.
# 12: The first branch on the branch that cascades should be at rim of the pot or below, but never above it
# 13: The mouth of the pot should be narrow such that trunk of the tree stands out and the pot should be slender & high to complement the height of the tree
# 14: The cascade branch should have 7 branch crown or more

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad Bonsai, Gujarat Bonsai, India Bonsai. 9924332267

Bonsai I Killed:

2009-02-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

My Suiseki Collection / Stone Collection

2009-02-05T03:31:00.000-08:00

Suiseki
Suiseki (Water Stone) is a hobby that compliments Bonsai. No Bonsai is complete without Suiseki. Seen below are some of the Suiseki/Stones I have collected over the years.

The Dragon Stone:

- Weight: Under 2 Kg
- Found at: Diu Sea Beach, Diu, India.

The Granite Peak

Weight - Under 2 Kg
Found near Ambaji Temple on way to Abu Road.

The Granite Mountain

Weight - Under 5 Kg
Found near Ambaji Temple on way to Abu Road.

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad Bonsai, Gujarat Bonsai, India Bonsai. 9924332267
AhmedabadBonsaiClub.com
BonsaiclubofAhmedabad

The Granite Mountain

2009-02-05T03:29:00.000-08:00

The Granite Mountain:
- Weight: Approx 5 Kg.
- Found at: Near Ambaji, Rajasthan, Gujarat

Ramesh Sinha, Ahmedabad Bonsai Club.Blogspot.com
Ahmedabad Bonsai, Gujarat Bonsai, India Bonsai. 9924332267

Portulacaria afra or Dwarf Jade or Elephant Bush

2009-02-05T02:59:00.000-08:00

Status: Dead

As of April, 09::

As of Feb 09::

(click image to see full size image)

Portulacaria Afra
- Scientific Name: Portulacaria Afra
- Common Name: Dwarf jade or Elephant Bust
- Nickname: Twin Brothers
- Age: 1 Years
- Height: Less than 6 Inches
- Style: Twin Trunk
- Re potted: Dec 2008
- Care: Daily watering because of small size of container, Monthly pruning & 50:50 soil mix and very less attention required. Good plant to start bonsai hobby with, just like Adenium.

Plant History:

- 15th September 2009

This was growing great at Sejal's place. Then when I bought it back, pure neglect, repotting, rewiring, and excessive wiring killed it.

- March 2009
I have reduced the height of smaller branch by 50%. Pic will be uploaded later.
The distance between two trunk has been reduced by wiring.
- Dec 2008
Had grown this plant from a cutting in July 2009. Than shifted to a Mame pot in December 2008. Had wired it to present shape.

More Details:
It's called Elephant Bush because elephants love it. Elephants eat the leaves & branches & drop the trunk. New tree grow from the Trunk easily. For more details visit http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/portulacarafra.htm

Jatropha

2009-02-05T02:01:00.001-08:00

Status: Growign Wild

(click image to see full size image - March 09)

(click image to see full size image - Dec 08)

Jatropha or Peregrina
- Scientific Name: Jatropa Integrrima
- Common Name: Spicy Jatropa, Peregrina
- Nickname: Elephant Trunk
- Age: 3 Years
- Height: 1 Feet
- Style: Umbrella
- Re potted: June 2008
- Care: Daily Watering, Soil 50:50 Mix, Filtered Sunlight,

Current Updates:

As of 15th September, 2009

This is at Neepa place & growing wild. Four tender braches seen in above pic have grown woody in last 6 months time. I haven't trimmed it so has Neepa. Need to do pruning & wiring in in coming weeks to give is a new shape. A Branch from the trunk (bottom half) has also grown. Let's see what can be done. This is quite a sturdy plant.

As of 1st April, 2009
- Removed the leaves & pinched the bud post flowering. New 6 Buds have appeared. Will allow it to grow for some time such that from present 4 branches i get 8 odd branches. Will shape it such that a canopy is formed above the stone as seen in second image posted in Dec 08.

As of 6th March, 2009
- The plant has started flowering and hence I am not wiring for I want to enjoy the flowers. Will let is grow wildly for a month before I chop it again as per the old image.
- A new branch has appeared from bottom, not sure what to do with it.

Wiring:
Branch snaps easily which makes it difficult to wire, so wire early when Branch is flexible.

Future Plan:
Crown that spread in all direction to be developed. Already 2 branches have developed which will be wired to to give proper crown shape.

More about Jatropha
This plant is native of cuba & if allowed to grow in wild can reach 5 Meers in height. For more details visit http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/jatr_int.cfm

Jatropha integerrima or Peregrina

2009-02-05T01:41:00.000-08:00

Status: Missing

(click image to see full size image)

Jatropha or Peregrina
- Scientific Name: Jatropa Integrrima
- Common Name: Spicy Jatropa, Peregrina
- Nickname: Elephant Trunk
- Age: 3 Years
- Heigth: 2 Feet
- Style: Literati
- Repotted: January 2009
- Care: Daily Watering, Soil 50:50 Mix, Filtered Sunlight

Future Plan:
The second branch will be bought down at 180 degree, parallel to trunk.

1st April, 2009
- Beautiful Baby Pink flowers have come on this tree. Both the branches have grown beautifully. Once the flower falls, i will pinch the leaves & buds such that new branches shoot out. It may be difficult to bring the 2nd branch downwards, but let see what happens. The leaves will be as such less, for I am shaping it into a literati style.

15th September 2009

I have no clue as where is this Jatropha Bonsai plant si as of now. I guess it is at Santosh or Neepa place, and growing wild for I have not seen it in last 6 months. Will go there & check out this Sunday.

More about Jatropha
This plant is native of cuba & if allowed to grow in wild can reach 5 Meers in height. For more details visit http://www.floridata.com/ref/J/jatr_int.cfm

Adenium or Desert Rose

2009-02-04T23:21:00.000-08:00

Status: Dead

(click image to see full size image)

About my Adenium
- Nickname: Fat Boy
- Scientific Name: Adenium
- Common Name: Desert Rose
- Age: 5 Years
- Style: Broom Style
- Height: 1 Feet
- Re-potted: January 2009
- Care: Full Sun Exposure, Water just once a week, Quick Drain Soil, Absolutely No Care required

Future Plans:
Branches will be pruned such that more branches grow & a proper crown develops. Currently there are 6 Branches & I expect 12 to be there on the crown.

26th March 2009:
Flowering has stopped. I Plan to chop the branches to infuse new branches & Leaves. It's spring time, hope it works as I do not have much experience with Jade.

Died 15th September 2009:

Was at one of my student's place for 4 months. I actually didn't care to go there & check its health. In 2nd monsoon showers, it i guess soaked more water & silently passed away. Will plant adenium in the same pot to keep the memories fresh.

More about Adenium:
The Desert Rose is a native of East Africa. It has fleshy leaves and beautiful 2-inch pink open-trumpet shaped flowers. It is a succulent, and forms more of a bush than a tree. It can grow up to 6 Ft in wild as shown below & Loves Full sun. To know more on Adenium visit
http://www.webgardenguide.com/Adenium_3044_571_2.html

I have this Adenium mame that had chopped from the base such that it can stand still in Mame pot. I allowed it to dry in open for a week & then re-potted in a Mame pot. I wired it at based such that it could stand straight until roots appear again. I accidentally placed it at a location where it was not clearly visible sort of blind spot. I searched for it,didn't find it & thought someone had stolen it. I kept looking for for few more days could not find it. I eventually concluded that someone might have stolen it & even told my bonsai friends about the accident. After 2/3 weeks while cleaning my terrace, i accidentally bumped into it again. It was doing well without water for almost 4 weeks. I am sure it will survive. I have decided to name it as the Lost Child, child because it too small that can qualify for Mame.