INTERNATIONAL

Today international students from Croatia came in to the studio, we worked on Dean's black pine. We prepared this tree almost a year ago at workshop in Samobor. It is a Pinus nigra var. dalmatica variety, which has a shorter needles than Pinus nigra austriaca. Nevertheless  - a good material of this species is very rare. This tree has very good bottom part of trunk and great bark, but still a lot of straight lines. So we tried to give some dynamics in to the crown.

Danes je bila v ateljeju mednarodna skupina študentov s Hrvaške; delali smo na Dejanovem črnem boru. Drevo smo pripravili skoraj eno leto nazaj, na delavnici v Samoboru. Gre za Pinus nigra var. dalmatica, podvrsto, ki ima krajše iglice kot Pinus nigra austriaca. Kakorkoli, dober materijal te vrste je zelo redek. To drevo ima dober spodnji del debla, krasno skorjo, toda tudi kar nekaj ravnih linij. Torej smo se trudili dinamiko vkompnirati v krošnjo.

Pinus nigra var. dalmatica, as it came to atelier

Interantional group working together

The result after first styling

A slightly different front angle

A happy owner 

 before / after

The result of first styling is very good. Dean should be proud of this tree which has a good future. With the proper after care, pinching at the right time, watering, feeding, a lot of sun. the tree can improve a lot in next two years. Great job guys!

Rezultat prvega oblikovanja je zelo dober. Dean je lahko ponosen na drevo, ki ima lepo prihodnost. S pravilno oskrbo, vršičkanjem ob pravem času, zalivanjem, gnojenjem, veliko sonca, lahko drevo v naslednjih dveh letih veliko pridobi. Dobro delo fantje!

    

Chilling out after work 

WORKSHOP

Just a few glimpses from workshop. Students were busy yesterday, Aleš finsihed his first ever styling on spruce.

Tu je le nekaj utrinkov iz delavnice. Študentje so bili včeraj zaposleni, Aleš je na smreki dokončal svoje sploh prvo oblikovanje.

CARPINUS

I am writing about this tree, Carpinus betulus, because this is somehow interesting story. Sašo is an educated gardener; now he decided to start to study also bonsai. In April last year he came to the TORA international bonsai school and since then he is one of my most diligent students! :-) Carpinus betulus from this story is the first tree he worked on. It is a big tree and in April when Sašo came to the studio it already has opened first leaves. We cut some branches and set the plan for future work.

 

O tem gabru (CArpinus betulus) pišem zato, ker je zgodba zanimiva. Sašo je izučen vrtnar, zdaj pa se je odločil, da bo nekaj časa namenil tudi študiju bonsaja. Aprila lani je prišel v Toro in od takrat naprej je eden bolj pridnih študentov! :-) Carpinus betulus iz te zgodbe je prvo drevo, na katerem je delal. Gre za veliko drevo in aprila, ko je Sašo prišel v atelje, je že pognalo prve liste. Obrezala sva ga in napravila načrt za nadaljne delo.

 

 

Carpinus betulus, after first intervention, April 2014

Now, one growing season lather, it was time to do a step forward. We did further selection of branches and wired them all. The silhouette started to emerge. Tree has a really good nebari and the future for this tree is bright. Next step will follow in spring, when Carpinus will be re-potted in to first bonsai pot. Then the process of ramification will start!

 

Zdaj, eno rastno sezono kasneje, je prišel čas za naslednji korak. Napravili smo dodatno selekcijo vej in jih potem vse ožičili. Prvi obrisi bodočega bonsaja so tu. Drevo ima zelo dober nebari in njegova prihodnost je svetla. Naslednji korak bo sledil spomladi, ko bo drevo presajeno v prvo bonsajsko posodo. Potem pa se bo začel proces ramifikacije!

 

After one growing season, January 2015

 

Carpinus betulus, after second step, January 2015

 

 

PRIMORSKA

"How many of your trees died since we work together," I asked members of Primorska group, the branch of TORA international bonsai school. I was glad to hear that none of the trees we worked on at workshops in last three years didn't die. That means that we work at right pace, step by step and slowly building the right structure of future bonsai. Here are some examples of trees we worked on in last three seasons of school:

 

"Koliko dreves vam je že propadlo od kar delamo skupaj?" je bilo vprašanje članom Primorske skupine šole TORA. Vesel sem bil, ko sem slišal, da niti eno drevo, na katerih smo delali v šoli doslej ni umrlo. To pomeni, da delamo s pravim tempom, korak za korakom počasi gradimo strukturo bodočega bonsaja. Spodaj je nekaj primerov dreves iz zadnjih treh sezon šole:

 

Ulmus minor is one of the best broadleaved species for bonsai, but it is really hard to find a good material. In spring 2013 Gregor brought this straight pole to the workshop; if this wouldn't be an Ulmus we'd never tried to turn it in to decent bonsai. But with this species we did. So first we selected the branches and then process of development of right structure started.
 

Poljski brest (Ulmus minor) je ena najboljših vrst za vzgojo v bonsaj, a dober materijal je res težko najti. Spomladi 2013 je Gregor na delavnico prinesel raven kol; če ne bi šlo za brest se najbrž niti ne bi trudili s preobrazbo v vsaj približno dober bonsaj. Toda s to vrsto se splača poskusiti. Najprej smo napravili selekcijo vej in potem se je začel proces razvoja strukture.

2013-3. - starting material

 

2014-1. - after one growing season

 

2015-1. - after two growing seasons

After just two growing seasons the result is great. Still a long way to go though, but the bonsai starting to emerge from bad material. The ramification is getting better and better. First branch needs some corrections to get rid of that ugly bow, fishing stick, but the other things are on the right way.

 

Po samo dveh rastnih sezonah je rezultat dober. Še vedno mu veliko manjka, toda iz slabega materijala se je začel kazati bonsaj. Prva veja potrebuje nekaj popravkov, treba se bo znebiti grdega loka, ribiške palice, toda ostale stvari se razvijajo tako, kot je treba.

 

Also the next example, Prunus mahaleb, belongs to Gregor. Also not a first class material, but with all dead-wood interesting enough to worth trying. So we made a plan, and after two growing seasons the tree is on good way.

 

Tudi naslednji primer, rešelika, je Gregorjeva. Ne gre za prvovrstni materijal, toda z vsem suhim lesom je vseeno vredna truda. Naredili smo načrt in po dveh sezonah je drevo na dobri poti.

 

2013-3. - starting material

 

Study of the possible design

After first styling

2015-1. - after two growing seasons

 

Now the tree needs a right pot, I am thinking about round one, and some modifications on branches. But nevertheless good work!

 

Drevo zdaj potrebuje pravo posodo, jaz bi jo posadil v okroglo, in nekaj popravkov v vejah. Vseeno pa gre za dobro delo! 

 

Virtual with the pot

 

And last but not least another Prunus mahaleb to show our approach in the school. This material was collected by Sami and has a really great potential. At first intervention we just cut all the unneeded branches and set the main line. That's it! Just look at the first branch! It was hidden, but now is clearly visible. What a character!

 

In nenazadnje še ena rešelika za ilustracijo našega pristopa v šoli. Materijal je izkopal Sami in ima res velik potencial. Pri prvem posegu smo zgolj porezali odvečne veje in določili glavno linijo. In to je to! Poglejto prvo vejo! Prej skrita je zdaj jasno vidna. Kakšen karakter!

 

2015-1. - material

 

After first intervention

 

The next step will be wiring of the main branches and then the building of the crown will start!

 

Naslednji korak bo žičenje glavnih vej in potem se bomo lotili gradnje krošnje!

ESPRIT BONSAI

We are pleased to inform you that brand new English language magazine dedicated to Bonsai enthusiasts has just been released! To discover the magazine, you can browse an extract of Esprit Bonsai International on website!

http://www.en.esprit-bonsai.com

10 years of valuable experience. Created in 2003, Esprit Bonsai is now leading French magazine on bonsai read by thousands of bonsai enthusiasts. The diversity and the quality of its content is known worldwide and, as wished by many international readers, it is now available for the first time in English. The magazine for bonsai enthusiasts. Written by experts and illustrated with high-quality photographs, Esprit Bonsai is a must-read for the bonsai enthusiast and constant source of new ideas, cutting-edge information and inspiration.

SMREKA

Spruce is one of the most demanding species in bonsai world. If one want to keep the spruce in order, in right way developing towards perfection - it needs a LOT of work. It is difficult and time-consuming when wiring, it doesn't like to be touched, it needs sharp timing at candle pinching and shoots cutting. Not easy tree huh? But, in the other hand, it has also many good features: it is easy to collect, it has flexible branches, short needles ... So, it is still very good species for bonsai. One just need to find a good starting material. And this weeks we, at TORA international bonsai school, had opportunity to work on a really good one! Miha brought a big, more than 100 yrs old spruce in the studio.  Fantastic tree, with incredible energy, as it accumulated in it in over a century time. This is a mother of all spruces!

 

Smreka je ena zahtevnejših vrst v bonsajskem svetu. Če jo človek hoče obdržati v formi, na pravi poti pri razvoju proti perfekciji - zahteva res ogromno dela. Je zahtevna pri žičenju, zahteva ogromno časa, nima rada dotikanja, natančni moramo biti pri tajmingu vršičkanja in rezanja vršičkov. Težko drevo, kaj? Toda, po drugi strani, ima tudi veliko dobrih lastnosti: lahko jo je izkopati, ima prožne veje, kratke iglice ... Torej, še vedno je to dobra vrsta za bonsaj. Samo dober začetni materijal je treba najti! In v zadnjih tednih smo v šoli TORA imeli priložnost delati na res dobri smreki. Miha je v atelje prinesel veliko, več kot 100 let staro smreko. Fantastično drevo z neverjetno energijo, ki se je v njej nabirala več kot stoletje. To je mati vseh smrek!

 

THE SPRUCE, as arrived to atelier

 

First we thought not to style it, just to open it and let the sun and air in to crown. Prepare it for next year. But further analysis showed that complete first styling is possible and Miha decided to go all the way! And work that lasted for many hours, days and weeks, started!

 

Najprej smo razmišljali o tem, da je ne bi oblikovali, ampak samo odprli in spustili v krošnjo zrak in svetlobo. Jo pripravili za drugo leto. Toda nadaljna analiza je pokazala, da je oblikovanje mogoče in Miha se je odločil, da gremo do konca! Začelo se je dolgotrajno delo, ki je trajalo ure, dneve in tedne!

 

 

 

We went branch by branch, Miha wired one, we styled it, then we moved forward. And along the way we cut all the unneeded branches. Miha turned them in to jins. At one point almost all students of TORA international bonsai school laid hand on it and help to wire a little bit!

 

Lotili smo se je vejo po vejo. Miha jo je ožičil, potem smo jo oblikovali in šli naprej. Spotoma smo odrezali vse nepotrebne veje. Miha jih je oblikoval v džine. Skoraj vsi študentje TORE so tu in tam vsaj malce pomagali pri žičenju!

 

 

 

 

At all times we keep the crown moist, also our hands weren't dry. This is the most important thing at wiring the spruce!

 

Ves čas smo krošnjo vlažili, tudi naše roke niso bile suhe. To je pri žičenju smreke zelo pomembno!

 

 

Miha almost there! Just one branch to go!

 

And then, after weeks of hard work, the first styling was done! Miha did a great job! This is a fantastic spruce with such a great future! If we think that this is only a first styling, we can imagine what a tree this will be with all jins treated and with crown matured! Masterpiece!

 

In potem, po tednih trdega dela, je bilo prvo oblikovanje končano! Miha je naredil odlično delo! To je fantastična smreka z izjemno prihodnostjo. Če samo pomislimo, da je to šele prvo oblikovanje in da morajo biti še vsi džini obdelani in da mora krošnja dozoreti ... Mojstrovina!

 

 

Spraying all the time!

 

The final result after first styling

 

 

SYLVESTRIS

It is funny how different bonsai material can be: one can be turned in to masterpiece in really short time, the other needs years, maybe even decades. But in every case the preparation is very important. In TORA international bonsai school we prepared this Sašo's pine, Pinus sylvestris, in spring, but now it was already ready for first styling. The pine was collected at local hills two years before it came in to TORA workshop. Great base, then sharp turn, but then a long straight trunk. So, at first workshop, we concentrated on resolving this main problem. The powerful trunk was carefully prepared and then bended for cca 25 degres down. We also cut one unwanted branch and this was all for first intervention. The preparation for atumn styling done.

Zanimivo je, kako se bonsajski materijal razlikuje: enega je moč oblikovati v mojstrovino v relativno kratkem času, drugi za to potrebuje leta, mogoče celo desetletja. V vsakem primeru pa je priprava materijala zelo pomembna. V TORI smo Sašov rdeči bor pripravljali spomladi, zdaj pa je že bil pripravljen na prvo oblikovanje. Bor je bil izkopan v lokalnem hribovju dve leti preden je prišel v TORIN atelje. Odlična baza, potem zanimiv oster zavoj, toda potem dolgo ravno deblo. Na prvi delavnici smo se tako posvetili reševanju tega glavnega problema. Debelo deblo je bilo skrbno pripravljeno in potem skrivljeno za približno 25 stopinj navzdol. Odrezali smo še odvečno vejo in za prvi poseg je bilo dovolj. Priprava na jesensko oblikovanje končana.

Pinus sylvestris, starting material, March 2014

Great base with sharp turn

Bending of trunk in progress, we used combination of tehhnicques (Wet wood, sawing)

Sašo next to pine after first intervention, March 2014

Pine reacted very well. so after 8 months of rest we continued with work. Because there were a lot of branches and they were dence, we desided to go all the way - complete first styling.

Bor je dobro reagiral, tako da smo po osmih mesecih počitka nadaljevali z delom. Ker je na drevesu bilo veliko gostih vej, smo se odločili, da gremo do konca - torej opravimo celotno prvo oblikovanje.

Pinus sylvestris before first styling, December 2014

Sašo working

Final result after first styling, December 2014

Development March 2014-December 2014

If you have in mind the starting material - the result is great. Nice han-kengai with nice future. Next step will be repotting in to proper bonsai pot. The bonsai story never ends ... 

Glede na začetni materijal je rezultat odličen. Lepa pol kaskada z svetlo prihodnostjo. Naslednji korak bo presajanje v primerno bonsajsko posodo. Bonsajska zgodba se nikoli ne konča ...