Past weekend the International Bonsai Academy 2013 took place in Kastela near Split , Croatia. There we have Mediterranean climate. This means no frost in winter, palm trees on the beach. The climate is similar to southern California and northern Florida. Therefore everything can be done on the trees right now, like repotting, cutting, styling, collecting etc.. End of November is a very good time to repot there. Warning: most things can NOT be done now in colder climate.
Marija and Andrija have this mazing collection there and do everything together. During the seminar without much ado we take one tree after the other from more than 100 specimen bonsai and do whatever can be done at that moment. We do a lot of subtle artistic corrections. First thorough tree discussion among there people who have strong opinions. Then a consensus. Then hands on doing what has to be done.
#9: wild plum, Prunus cerasifera. This tree was collected less than two years ago. It is amazing that one can find something like this. Cows have created this tree over twenty years. If this is only the beginning of a bonsai - what will be the end?
Walter, you and the whole Croatian team have done a remarkable job. The material is tremendous and all of you are very much of to the challenge of woking it into first rate trees. Well done!
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