Esprit Bonsai International – August 2019

Notes

for beginners

28 - EspritBonsaiInternational #101

 If the cascade follows a single,
clear line, the viewer can follow it: this
dominance creates visual impact.

A crown, or not
Regarding the branches, first
and foremost a decision needs to
be taken as to whether there will be
a crown. Here, the shaping of the
branches starts with the crown – the
opposite of how styling is done on a
formal upright. The foliage pads are
meticulously pruned to form com-
pact masses and highlight the trunk.
The crown helps create a stable,
balanced effect.
Viewed from the front, the cas-
cade should be in the shape of a
squashed triangle, constituted by
one or several foliage masses. Take
care not to make any of the foliage
pads too tall, as they then risk com-
peting with the cascade’s overall
form rather than working with it.

Branches and
foliage pads
The first branch in the lower
part of the cascade is generally the
thickest and longest one. It springs
from the outside of a large bend in
the trunk. Sometimes it is a good
idea to create foliage masses on
this branch, which will cut across the
vertical lines of the pot for a more
interesting design.
Place each pad at the outside of
a bend. The front branches should
be short (like the rear branches of a
formal upright) and situated halfway
between changes of direction.
The lower pads as a whole
should form a triangle that extends
slightly towards the viewer, like the
crown of a formal upright. The ove-
rall silhouette is composed of two
triangles: one formed by the crown
pointing upwards, and the other
by the actual cascade, pointing
downwards.
The pruning process to shape
the foliage masses is very important.
Seen from above, these masses
must be the same shape as those
of a formal upright, and the lower

A cascade oriented to the

right, in another style.

A cascade oriented

to the left.

The cascade’s overall

silhouette fits into

two triangles.

Cascades are

displayed to give

a three-quarter or

side view. Mirtus

communis, Pietro

Sampirisi collection.

part must be free in form; the pads

should be triangular, oval or pear-

shaped, the bulkiest part being

towards the trunk.

Cascades are rarely exhibited

with the lower pads pointing towards

the viewer, because that would hide

the line of the trunk. They are dis-

played to give a three-quarter or

side view.

Opposing forces

Ideally, the surface roots of a

cascade should visually balance

out the tree’s composition. Gravity

acts on the trunk, so compression

forces press down on the roots

on the side towards which the

trunk leans, and the trunk’s weight

tends to pull the tree upwards on

the opposite side of the cascade.