So
what does it mean?
In 2001 Dorothy Koreshoff alerted me to the importance
of the 1st curve. Since
then I have been developing the means and understanding to achieve it with my
own bonsai.
When you get a plant home, you need to, as soon as you
can, expose the first roots. I have
seen many people do magnificent work on their bonsai before they take it out of
the container. They have wired and cut
branches and produce a very pleasing bonsai.
Then they take it out of the container and the roots show that what they
have achieved with the wiring etc. makes the final product look unbalanced and
frankly a bit of a mess.
Other than a formal upright bonsai, all other bonsai need to be inspected for the 1st curve. The 1st curve is where the trunk begins immediately above the roots. Think of the roots as giving stability to the trunk as it protrudes upwards. The 1st curve is immediately above the buttress.
If your bonsai does not have such a curve then you are
more or less obliged to put one in. You
can use wire to get the shape or if that is impossible then put a rock or
something that is ‘substantial’ in the place of the buttress. It is to give the tree a sense of stability
and it will not topple over.
Happy
Curving
BonsaiBevan
