Orlando Bonsai » Crepe Myrtle

Picture this

Paul Pikel — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:29:32 +0000

When I started taking pictures of my Bonsai years ago I never thought they would be used in a website that is viewed around the world each day hundreds of times. Orlando Bonsai has grown so much and I owe it all to providing consistant devleopment of the trees and good photographs that demonstrate solid technique.

I wanted to share with you some tips and commenst about photographing bonsai, and the use of video was the easiest way to do that. Here a just a few videos that provide short tips on what to consider when taking a photo.

Photography – Lighting and lenses

Photography – Enhancing the color of the trunk

Photography – Point of View

Be sure to subscribe to OrlandoBonsaiTV so that you will be alerted to any new videos that I create

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A whole new home

Paul Pikel — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:35:29 +0000

It is has been unusally cold in Florida this year, however the trees are going dormant quicker and giving me a great opportunity to work on the, I have been looking forward to repotting this crepe myrtle correctly for a long time now. As you may remember I showed this tree at the BSF convention in May, and I bought a new Sara Rayner pot for it back then. The time to repot the tree couldn’t come soon enough.

I let the tree grow out a lot, just to thicken some branches and to improve the tree’s health. The ramification continues to increase and the tree’s scars are just about completely covered.

The tree’s roots looked strong and healthy. I didn’t really have to reduce the roots at all once I combed out the old soil mix. The dark color and rounded top add a nice balance with the tree. I only had to wire a few back branches but for the most part it is clip and grow to keep this tree in shape.

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Bonsai Societies of Florida annual convention

Paul Pikel — Fri, 28 May 2010 23:08:25 +0000

The annual Bonsai Societies of Florida convention is taking place all week end. The exhibit opened today and I have my very own crape myrtle on display.

If you get a chance stop by to check it out. You will not be disappointed. It is at the Ramada near I-4 and Rt192 in Kissimmee

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Grafted Crape Myrtle

Paul Pikel — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:00:12 +0000

I have wait so long for this tree to develop. The tree was originally grafted in April 2004. Finally it will be display at this years Bonsai Societies of Florida annual convention held over Memorial Day week end. I think it has filled in enough and looks balanced and healthy and it should make a good showing. If you get a canhe stop by and take a look.

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Crepe Myrtle update

Paul Pikel — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:30:35 +0000

I have been working on this tree for years now, and it is so close to being a finished bonsai. This winter when the leaves drop I will wire this tree one more time, and it should be pretty amazing come Spring, if I say so myself. It filled in this year in all thright places. The canopy is sio full that the tree rarely even puts out shoots of the full sized leaves of its previous life. As you know, all these branches were thread grafted from a dwarf variety of crepe myrtle.

Grafted Crepe Myrtle Filled in

I am still hopefull to get some blooms this year, but it is late in the year and no buds are present. I have had this tree pretty shaded this year so I think that effected the flowers

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