Larch Tree progression.
I bought the Larch tree featured in this post from ebay about 7 years ago. As you will see; it was tiny and came with 3 main trunks. Near matchstick thin and a young sapling.
Time inevitably marches (Or Larches; in this case) on…
The tree was quickly potted on from the small home it came in and had probably been sown in. I transferred it into a plastic Bonsai training pot; with my own mix of Bonsai soil; so it drained quickly but retained moisture due tot he substrate mix used.
I learned it’s requirements and needs to keep it growing steadily and so I could learn to water it correctly and then start basic training procedures to again; learn more about this species & gain hands on experience of them. As at the time I was a novice and only had a few Bonsai in my collection. So each new species was training for myself; as well as the tree.
As you can see; the original “Triple trunks” have been trained outwards and for a “rough Y-shape” The 3 trunks are thickening up nicely and the secondary branching is starting to come into place.
If the weather when the season to harvest this tree are right this year. I will dig this Larch up and then start to train the roots; now the branches and trunk are approaching the size I was planning and hoping for when I put this tree in the ground to “Fatten up”.
All being well in a few more years it will be ready to be pot trained and really start its journey to becoming Bonsai.
Hand cultivated & grown Yamadori style.
Rutland Bonsai Therapy in action.
This tree has given me immense pleasure for many years. I’ve found peace and tranquility in the time I have spent caring for it and tending it. Watching it grow from such a small thing into something with power and gravitas; while still being in the ground.