Yamadori!
This is the term adopted for collection of plants for bonsai from wild, or open-grown garden settings, building on the established growth patterns of the plants to provide the structure for future bonsai. The club’s July meeting provided a focus on the experiences of a number of members in developing bonsai from collected yamadori.
We had an interesting range of native species put forward for discussion on the night, each of which presented their own particular challenges in ensuring survival from the collection process, as well as looking to the future to develop them into successful bonsai. The species discussed included Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum), Kunzea peduncularis (Burgan), Leptospermum laevigatum (Coastal Tea Tree), Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia), Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea Tree), and Melaleuca styphelioides (Prickly Paperbark). All of these were quite different in the manner in which they were collected, and there was an interesting range of sizes and ages amongst the trees discussed.
These are just some of the trees presented on the night.
The next club meeting will be on Tuesday 9th August, and is scheduled to be a Workshop / Critique night, for members to bring trees along for working on during the evening, and for broader discussion, suggestions and critique as needed.