Eric shares tips for early development steps on two year old cork oak seedlings. His stock was started from acorns collected in Davis, CA. They were germinated in early 2020.
00:00:39 They’ve already been wired one time with movement added in lower trunks. Growth has been vigorous so time for second wiring!
00:01:06 Flashback to Mike Pistello’s amazing 40-50 years old cork oak.
00:03:31 Eric pulls seedling out of its container to review roots.
00:04:30 Adding additional wire – wiring cork oaks and commentary from Eric on the species. Do you know how these trees provide cork for our use?
00:05:46 Shaved poodle, Eric? 😉
00:06:00 #3 Aluminum wire. Eric wires the tree, explaining how to wire with long-term design plan and scale in mind.
00:08:42 Remember to create 3 dimensional movement! Eric shares his preference for designing informal uprights.
00:09:36 Wiring tree #2 with significantly smaller trunk and multiple side shoots. It’s an opportunity to create a different kind of taper.
00:10:54 Comparing two wired trees. Tree #2 has potential to be a smaller bonsai.
00:12:40 Wiring tree #3, twisting while bending to create more interest in the bark as the tree matures.
00:13:43 Batch in gallon containers, while same age are significantly bigger with multiple shoots.
00:15:10 Wiring larger tree #4. Eric’s timing for wiring oaks is when they are actively growing. Deciduous oaks in Spring (in Northern California) and Corks in late summer. This avoids dieback.
We do have limited stock of Cork Oak starters available in single, two- and three-packs: https://www.bonsaify.com/collections/pre-bonsai-trees/products/cork-oak-bonsai-starters
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