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Steve Paxton / Photos

Wild grown Grevillea vestita vestita | Byfield Spider Flower

This Is straight off the rock grown naturally, a good prune now its let it grow and see just how it needs changing. There was not a tap root as it was growing flat on the Granite rock hence it fitted perfectly in the flat pot . No soft leaf each leaf has three wicked spikes on it. Over 2/3 of the leave's have been already removed to get to this stage and all the flower have been removed to lessen the stress on the plant so it can recover. I measured the tree today 600mm high good size for the 550mm pot.

Very sad foot note to this tree it grew very well in Spearwood but did not like the move to Merriwa. I believe it was killed by the Salt in the air march 2021 it no longer grew but just died. This gave me the one chance to cut the main trunk and look how old it was, 70+ rings if its one ring per year. I will never bring to this home another tree to this home for fear of the same.

PIP. leaf of the tree left bottom side right top side 45mm x 35mm. you cant miss the spikes.

PIP 2 The tree is the one on the right in the moon light on the rock. Detail of this shot

Portrait under the stars and moon. Do open on black




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9 comments

neira-Dan said:

C'est la 1ere fois que je vois une grévillée en bonsai !! il est superbe
5 years ago ( translate )

Steve Paxton replied to neira-Dan:

I will tell you I have never seen one as well but it will not stop my trying this is as I brought it out of the ground. a 4m tree normally but this grew on top of a granite rock so it only had flat roots no tap roots. A month will tell me just how this tree is going to go if it lives or not but I am very confident it will do very well.
5 years ago

Steve Paxton said:

It take some care and understanding to keep them alive and in good condition. It take a lot of patience and a good imagination. Its great to be at peace as well caring for them. Many thanks.
5 years ago

Herb Riddle said:

Steve, to get to this stage with such a plant as this and to shape it almost like a God with a model is quite remarkable. You have my respect for such patience and care with such things. Like a parent perhaps, you must be able to look at this almost like a father to its son!

Regards, Herb
5 years ago

Steve Paxton replied to Herb Riddle:

Herb you are right you do have to "See" the end before you start, this is not perfect but is 90% right. what this shows you is that nature does live by principles most of what I took off broke bonsai rules but nature let the branches die as being in the wrong place for light. I will live with the tree a while to see just how I am going to change it in the future. Right side has too many branches but wiring will fix that, the left side needs to be shortened( smaller tree to the main the right side) which I have and then regrow.

this came out with very few roots so at the moment is in the shade to recover which I believe it will. at the very least two weeks and I will know. I have faith in the way plants grow and how you treat them to get them to survive.

www.ipernity.com/doc/1073393/46148682//in/album/1044744

Reluctant Bonsai ??????

do read the foot note to the photo and you will see what I mean.
5 years ago

Peter_Private_Box said:

Hi Steve,

Confucius, he say “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

I think the application to this case is clear!!

Best Wishes
Peter
5 years ago

Steve Paxton replied to Peter_Private_Box:

I am glad that you show the confidence I have as well. A find like this don't come about every day of the week but they are there I would have to have spend some 10 years to get this form.. The fact that I see new growth still happening(leaves and flowers) is just one of those signs that tend to look very positive.

the fact that I write my own book on this plant not one that would be started by those enthusiasts here as its got spiky leaves and not a plant you would find at a nursery or in any bonsai book. stay tuned.
5 years ago

Tanja - Loughcrew said:

A perfect find for you Steve...it´s a beauty, although the spikes look nasty :)
5 years ago

Steve Paxton replied to Tanja - Loughcrew:

It certainly is, It has been heaverly pruned back as there is new growth coming from every where on the tree. The shape is better and I am happy that the tree is well suited to a bonsai even though the spikes are a little wicked. one years growth will change the tree a lot shame about the flowers this year but its better the tree grow happily than loose it to flowers, next year.
5 years ago
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