this is an overview of my red maple. i am using glass as my media instead of rock. i have been training this fella for almost 5 years. will be doing something with the one straight root. will also be looking at the bottom half of the stone due to the root is bigger an will see what that has to ofer as well. will post a front on picture when leafed out.

The photo does not give me the impression that you have a solid plan on how to create a bonsai out of this in the future. The piece of glass is just silly.

am still working on the overall shape will see what it looks like this fall with the newgrowth that will be pushing out.

Yeah.... OK. I''d like to suggest you start studying the basics on how to grow bonsai material. What you are doing now does not make much sense.

Auk wrote: Yeah.... OK. I''d like to suggest you start studying the basics on how to grow bonsai material. What you are doing now does not make much sense.

Any specific articles/resources you'd recommend?

well i am still learning. dont have extra funds to take calsses. have been learing from youtube videos and pictures. my view is that i dont want my trees to look like topiaries. i want more of a free form open look with color. hense the use of glass to match with the color of the tree.

If you like the glass, go for it!

As for styling the tree, do you want to follow the general shapes and style of real-life and full-grown maples? Perhaps study trees around you, or use google image for maple (bonsai) trees - and then try to apply to your work.

i know what maples look like an am going for a more abstract feal. have note quite fully decided on what dirrection i am going. i may in a year or two an chop it completly back to the base an start over. to me the journy is the fun part. in due time i plan on joining a club in pittsburgh pa when life starts to stop being so hectic. i do apprciate your responces and hope to learn from them! thank you

Oscar wrote:

Auk wrote: Yeah.... OK. I''d like to suggest you start studying the basics on how to grow bonsai material. What you are doing now does not make much sense.

Any specific articles/resources you'd recommend?

This website

To be honest, I am a bit confused. I was under the impression dawoods was not someone who just started.

I think there are many people in bonssai for a decade before they start bonsai..

Without the right resources (people!) It is hard to get the fundamentals. And without those it is often not really inspiring what comes out.

I like the mix of bonsai and alternative materials. I am not sure the roots will properly grab this piece of glass though. You might have to move smaller roots against it, and trim the bigger ones. But good to see you trying.