Collecting a yamadori ligustrum

During the past weekend I wend over to Hem's place to collect a nice little privet that was grown in full ground for some years. Hem has been working the root ball for some week to cut the long lateral roots and force the tree to create finer feeder roots closer to the trunk.

Started off by preparing the bonsai substrate to place the tree into.
In this case :
Grid, perlite and "soilless soil" which is basically a mix of composted organic matter.

Sifting grit

Sifted grit

Perlite

Mixing together the sifted perlite and grit

Mixing together the sifted perlite and grit

Added the "soilless soil"

Added the "soilless soil"

Will be repotting the tree into a collander. Google up "Bonsai Collander" to get more info on this technique.
Basically the collander will prevent the roots from curling up like they do in a all closed up training pot.

Will be repotting the tree into a collander.

The little monster

The little monster - Removing the soil all around the root ball.

Uprooted

Uprooted

Repotting

Repotting

Added some wires to hold the tree in place.

Repotting all the way to the top

I'll have to wait for the roots to develop before attempting anything on this one.
That should take between 6~12 months.
In the meantime, no pruning. I might consider some wiring but I want to have a better look at the nebari and possible styling options before.

Some of the old cuts.
I find it interesting that the deadwood turns black instead of white.
The trunk is already pale and a white deadwood would not be enhanced... Maybe I'll go for pitch black deadwood on this one :)