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Some Kind of Bonsai Magic

07/03/23

I'm not sure how Peter Tea keeps putting up so many quality bonsai. Every time I visit his Facebook timeline (about once a week) there is another batch of great trees in various stages. A seemingly endless progression. Some from before, but a surprising number each time that I haven't seen. Some kind of magic I guess. 

I know some people don't appreciate highly stylized trees like this one, but certain trees seem to demand it. Especially in Japan, though this one is from California. It belongs to Peter Tea who apprenticed in Japan a few years back. 

Here's Peter's caption: 

The front view of this Moss Cypress that I cut back and cleaned up recently. This tree has been in development for the last 15 years. It’s super full with lots of pads and has a happy, plentiful feel to it. I can’t help but pet the tree every time I walk by it in the garden!

Bird's eye view. Again Peter's caption:
The Aerial shot is not a common way to view bonsai but kind of cool! Moss cypress looking pretty full from up top!

BTW, I think the botanical name for Moss cypress is Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Tsukomo.'

Sticking with a more formal look. Peter's comments:

The work continues with the tall cryptomeria. Cut back and cleaned up the pads. Some more fine tuning and it’ll be show time! Thanks for following and liking the page everyone!

We'll let Peter do the talking:

Cleaned up and cut back this collected Western Juniper. It was a bit overgrown and last shown at the 2018 GSBF convention in California where it won Best Conifer and Best in Show. 🎉 I shrunk the top and removed a few leggy branches this time around. New branches are coming in and I plan to change a few things as the tree develops. Also extended a deadwood feature that was started last year. 

Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the Summer sun. 

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Arboricola so well developed. Here's what Peter wrote: 

It’s nice to have variety in the collection. Here’s a umbrella tree that’s native to Taiwan and China. My client put this together almost 20 years ago. Hard to see but two of them are growing over rocks.

I don't know if I've ever seen a Shohin display by Peter. Until now, that is. 

Preliminary shohin mock up. Missing a few stands and an accent, but a good start!

Redwood

Chojubai, Trident maple

J. Maple, olive

Potentilla cascade

Monster Trident maples are pretty common in mild climates (not up here in Vermont though), and San Jose, CA is most def a mild climate. And of course, being in Peter's hands this one is well above average. Here's his caption:

Back to the deciduous trees! Got this huge trident maple recently and looking forward to building out the structure. Going to repot it next year and put it in a box to work out the root system and spread. In the mean time, I’m going to check out the branch structure and do some rebuilding.

Tree: Trident Maple

Pot: Japanese training pot

Okay, now for a little fun (see below).
It speaks for itself, so no comment from Peter.

For more of Peter's trees, you can check out his work on Facebook.


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