James,

Hello...I really like this planting a lot. Even though it may not follow the 'rules' for setting up a planting like this, it still harmonizes well.

It reminds me of my recent study in Japan where I saw many bonsai outside of the norm. One tree that will always stick in my mind is at Shunkaen where I studied. It was a clump style Japanese red maple that won kokofu-en, the top show in Japan and the world...the interesting thing about this tree is that it had 8 trunks..................

take care,

Matthew Ouwinga

Hello Matt,
Thanks for the encouraging words. I know theres something there. The lack of being at least somewhat triangular probably needs to be addressed. The rock and the ground cover appeal to me, just gotta figure how to rearrange this. The conflict of rock and lushness....hum

James

James,
I am not even im Matt's class, but I love it. There is nothing to critque. Love it (I do) or leave it alone. One queston: What is the pot?
Vernon

Hey Vernon,
Thanks for the kind remarks,
the pot is clam shell type with what appears to be a handel on one end. I forget what the sellers were calling it.
I bought it on e-bay about a year ago. It's a large pot aprox.
20"by14" 6-8" deep.

James

i love it, different is good , i cant critique it cause i dont know enough lol, but do you have to follow certain rules or can you do what you want with them

I like it when I see a planting like this... Follow what you feel when you put something like this together.. I break the so called "rules" of bonsai all the time. This planting of your looks sweet!

David.