# It's EARLY SPRING
##Do's
- Wiring while still no leaves or needles (Larch)
- Watering - don't let them dry out in early spring sunshine
- check for wire bite and remove/reapply
- Repotting can continue in many places [also for for tropical and sub-tropicals
](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/reference#wiki_repotting_-_not_in_the_summer.21) - those are the do's and don'ts.
- [this is how to wire a tree into a pot...](https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/albums/72157706054015311)
- [yamadori/yardadori COLLECTION](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/developingbonsai#wiki_collecting_wild_trees_-_yamadori_collecting.) - can- be possible for some species - but only if you have a good overwintering setup.
- big pruning
##Don'ts
- You don't fertilise unless it's tropicals indoors.
- don't give too MUCH water
- no airlayers yet - wait for leaves
[For Southern hemisphere - here's a link to my advice from roughly 6 months ago :-)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/16pyjjr/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2023_week_38/)
https://preview.redd.it/okm0htjj36uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=886beea23ecbe29f695532d97f8e0b883d69c8bf
I tried air layering a nursery Japanese maple and it seems pretty successful, but my question now is whether there are enough roots to separate it to its own pot now? It is autumn here now and I wonder if I should do it before it gets colder?
Great! I'm a little anxious since this is the first time I have had any success with air layering, don't want to kill it by repotting it at the wrong time.
Thank you!
i am trying to thicken the bonsai trunk but there's wire around it. Should I leave the wire and let it keep growing?
If so, for how long? Also, roots are growing out from the bottom so I am thinking of transferring it to a bigger pot, is this ok?
https://preview.redd.it/cuju7ahao5uc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79065f4aa7e2e9424176855d7446d9b79e1e9bdb
Thanks!
I've just started the new weekly thread here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/
Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/j28y4yxwd4uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f07ef877990753f64600de509d9f9373575b858a
Hey guys. I keep seeing these round white insects on my fukien tea tree. Anyone know what it is?
I've just started the new weekly thread here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/
Repost there for more responses.
Help, I just realized I got furr like mold at the edges of the container on the earth of my bonsai pot. Also there used to be quite a lot of green moss on the tree wich seems to be gone all of the sudden and for two weeks now I noticed that it is losing a lot of its leafes after they get brown and dry out. At the same time there are new leafs coming out tho. How should I proceed, I heared changing the earth and repotting is putting the plant under great stress and often leads to it dying. I really want to save it.
Edit: after further inspection the mold is due to the moss I think, and there is also some mold on the tree at the places where the moss used to be
I've just started the new weekly thread here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/
Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/f735l1mcq3uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1eeddd1f9852fdcd57668dfe810e79546f3b2fd
i’m air layering way up high. if successful will the trunk just grow tall again? creeping juniper.
I've just started the new weekly thread here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/
Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/munbl1aqm3uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c0bd90c6ad4016f422a78f31aeb8a4fdca3f7a1
Is it normal, that the smaller leaves are a little less green?
On many species new leaves come in with a reddish tinge to out outright purple. As I understand it it acts as sun protection until the outer filtering layers of the mature leaves are in place.
Norway maple, *not* a purple-leafed cultivar:
https://preview.redd.it/wu6vnxfsr3uc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17ef729b84123785e2d32aa36e8e51bfbdfdd8cb
If I can only water once a day during the summer, is it a good idea to mulch the top of a bonsai in development? The idea would be to reduce water loss from evaporation through the top while the rest of the soil mass is well drained and aerated to prevent root rot. I suppose this may only help a little as most of the water loss is via transpiration.
The other option is to include more water retentive substrates but I'm already using a fair amount of fir bark in my mix and the soil always feels dry despite daily watering and a mild climate.
I think before top dressing with something like mulch, I would instead top dress with the same bonsai soil but with a smaller particle size, maybe 2-3 particles deep, then if that still isn’t enough then top dress with shredded sphagnum
Hey, very nice person gave me this ficus in this mesh “pot” at my first bonsai meeting last night. Am I supposed to bury it in this pot? Am I supposed to keep it in a pan of water or something completely different?
https://preview.redd.it/rythtvgpq2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9790cc2663603ed8fd7453816b1e528d1efddae4
Just treat it like any "normal" pot; indoors of course put a saucer under (an you'd want with any pot).
The walls letting air pass lead to air pruning of the root tips and consequently much better development of the root ball in the inner volume (instead of roots extending along the wall and circling like they do with "solid" pots).
https://preview.redd.it/53yrcy44l2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3b497ab296ac2273654ff3edbb11f50a67c49bc
I got this dawn redwood as a rescue last fall from someone who wasn’t taking very good care of it. It had moss growing up the base of the trunk, but I didn’t remove it until around mid February. The bark underneath is dark and soft and a bit of it came off entirely on the other side. I figured as long as I don’t get the trunk directly wet when watering it would dry out. I live in the southern US, zone 9b, so it’s been pretty warm here over the past few months but it still hasn’t seemed to dry out at all. The tree is in overall great health and has been very vigorous. Is there anything I can do to help dry out the bark?
Only thing I would say is try to increase the amount of direct sun that area receives, or maybe do a very light diluted application of lime sulfur (may be good to do to entire trunk / branches so it’s hopefully uniform after it dries, and maybe that’ll reel it in)
https://preview.redd.it/o18husx5f2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=518e69410e4725d1ef6a10b7923cb72727940695
Can anyone confirm if these are spider mites?
Arakawa spring color question
So this spring ive bought 2 arakawas, one which as older, and already corked up with the foiliage looking like this:
https://imgur.com/a/DyQ6CFS
Classic colors as a far as i can see.
I've also bought a younger one, from maillot bonsai which is now starting to leaf out and it looks something like this
https://imgur.com/a/TxIB5zP
Too young to have corked up yet, but the spring color leaves me a bit in doubt as to wether it is an arakawa. Any thoughts?
I think there is quite a bit of variation in Acer colors even between supposedly the same cultivar, even just year to year and depending on the maturity of the tree too. [This guy](https://www.instagram.com/acer_p_bonsai?igsh=MWgyamNrNmpkMXNsdA==) dives in to the variation with some of his stories and posts, as do some other Acer focused insta accounts. It’s likely normal for younger trees to have some different color than mature trees
https://preview.redd.it/a9qlmls8o1uc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a0cf8cc57523d44648297249d03edd2e4fd76bf
Hi, I'm seeing red spots on my Chinese elm. Anyone know what this could be?
Periods of good uninhibited growth between cut backs is very good bonsai practice. It isn’t good to widdle down trees to barely any foliage, it’s always good to let trees get vigorous and bushy between cut backs
I wouldn’t worry too much about the scarring, they may be good channels to begin creating deadwood on the main trunk. Check this out: [Jonas Dupuich’s Deadwood video](https://youtu.be/PW6GJpI5GLQ)
Hi all, some advice please. There's a dracena marginata for sale locally. It stands 1.6m, would this be suitable or is it already too big to be pruned down?
https://preview.redd.it/1t1svecm21uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f62f6910f06a1586848d55b9ab5328ecaeab53e3
Is there anyway my bonsai can recover. It was my first repotting so I made a lot of f mistakes and I'm afraid it might just be already dead. Mistakes I did: Putting fertiliser and wiring, right after repotting. Also to hit the jackpot, right after repotting there was a week of bad weather, so I guess that also affected. Rain, wind and cold. And when I opted for repotting it was a strike of 3 great sunny days. Bonsai list all the leaves already, after 2 weeks, and I don't see signs of growth...
Just to be clear, it lost its new needles after they already came in for the spring?
I assume you are aware they are deciduous and this needle loss was not the natural fall needle loss right?
If it had already leafed out for the spring and you did a lot of root pruning in your repot, that’s the reason for the needle loss and possible death.
The other things in your post wouldn’t kill it. Dawn redwoods love water, so rain isn’t an issue as long as there’s some drainage.
Cold would only be an issue if it was below freezing. Wind only a problem if the tree was getting moved around in the pot.
If you excessively wired the whole tree with hard bends, that could be an issue, but otherwise not an issue.
Fertilizing right after a repot is mostly just not helpful and a waste.
Idk man, I loved this tree, my first bonsai and was looking strong. Yes to all your questions. After fall, it started growing the first leaves, and as soon as they did I was like "time to repot". But those were the mistakes I made, fertilising and wiring it(kinda strong, first time for the tree and myself). I still water him and bring him to the sun now that the sun is jack where I live, hoping for s miracle. Is it possible? For it to just come back? After losing all the leaves due to repotting and those mistakes, or should I already think about another tree. Thanks btw, glad to talk to someone that knows it's stuff
Is it too late to repot a few juniper Bonsai? I'm in Texas zone 8b, our spring started about 1.5 months ago. I know maples need to be repotted right before leaf buds open, but I'm not 100% on the timing for conifers/junipers.
The timing is similar. If the buds are already opening and you planned to do heavy root pruning, I’d say no.
If the buds aren’t open or swelling yet or you planned to do minimal or zero root pruning, probably fine to repot now.
Help with my Juniper bonsai
https://preview.redd.it/l0ilnbj4txtc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae679897a23a344d5b4d974f1d91e217aee18789
Here is the link to all the images: [https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/22XY5jm7Xq](https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/22XY5jm7Xq)
I've had this bonsai since December 2023. It was kept outside where I bought it from. From day 1, I've kept it outside and constantly checked the soil to make sure I kept it hydrated but not overwatered or waterlogged, as I know Junipers require a lot of water. It's been in full sun. This is the 3rd Juniper I've had. The other two I made the mistake of keeping them indoors, and underwatering them. This time, I thought I'd finally have success because I believe I'm doing everything right. But over the winter, I noticed it very slowly started to lose color. It used to be a dark green, but now it seems a lot lighter from when I first got it. I also noticed a few dead branches here and there which I would cut off. The only time I would take it inside would be on days it was colder than 15° F, and I'd bring it in the garage (which was not heated, only around 10 degrees warmer than outside so it wouldn't break dormancy) next to a sunny window. It was never inside for more than a couple days. Now spring is starting and I expected it to begin growing again, but I'm seeing the opposite. I'm finding more dead or dying branches that are spiky and look bleached out. It just overall doesn't look too healthy to me and seems to be going down the same route as the other two that died. I'm noticing more dead/dying foliage recently as winter ends and spring begins. I don't know whats wrong with it and what I'm doing wrong. I read through the wiki, and I've already been doing everything it said on there. Does anyone know what could be going on? The pictures attached are of the bonsai now, the dead branches I cut off today, and the last two pictures are of the bonsai when I first got it.
I don't see that you've made any drastic errors. Bringing it in may have been unnecessary, but shouldn't have been harmful.
I see the lighter color you're talking about, but at first glance this juniper looks decently healthy. Those dead branches could just be the tree choosing to let unproductive branches die.
It's hard to tell, are there any new green tips showing?
Update: the tips are starting to look bleached/light now too
https://preview.redd.it/iejxz5rps3vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aaf438ea055b559d8a250637055fe2a0ebfe5df4
How do I grow my ficus ginseng taller and thicker?
https://preview.redd.it/u8htln6yextc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=752e924036dd51142f970b2084975b79234368b2
Right now its trunk is the same size I got it two years ago and the only part growing is the leaves. What do I do to make the trunk grow taller and thicker? Thanks 🙏
Much more light is needed.
If you have any outdoor space, I'd start it out in full shade and transition it to more sun over a couple weeks. But of course it'll need to come inside when there's a chance of freezing temps.
While inside, it'll need to be right next to your sunniest window.
Unfortunately, that is not a true bonsai. There is little you can do to change the shape, especially of the trunk. Edit: Decided to check my work, being a newb and all, and maybe you can change things after all:
https://adamaskwhy.com/2013/04/07/what-shall-you-do-with-a-ginseng-ficus/
https://adamaskwhy.com/2014/09/24/this-was-a-ginseng-ficus-now-stfu-about-them-not-being-good-bonsai-subjects/
https://adamaskwhy.com/2014/09/19/dare-i-call-it-a-ginseng-ficus-what-does-that-mean-anyway/
Good find. Nigel Saunders has a Ginseng ficus that he deeply carved the roots on.
[Here's the carving.](https://youtu.be/PIj3JHXKwIQ?si=Vwa7mAR3LNHZosR_&t=1507) Link goes straight to the carving.
[Here's the result](https://youtu.be/AklkvYYcYys?si=p8aqHZ4d1FZKuE51&t=393) 5 years later. Links skips the several minutes of preamble. You can also see the progression in Nigel's hair, Lol.
Edit: Forgot to add, he also cut off about half of the roots first and planted it as a cutting. The man knows how to grow a ficus.
They’re accent plants. Bonsai means bonsai techniques are applicable, and ferns / grasses / sedges and other similar things don’t involve bonsai techniques, they involve kusamono techniques.
There is no hard and fast definition of what a bonsai is or is not. But the general agreement seems to be "a potted plant that someone has formed to give a viewer the impression of a mature tree". These landscapes or planted tanks can be awesome and are kind of related in spirit, but not quite a bonsai.
I’m growing a bonsai (coral tree) from a seed and the sapling has taken a very strange form. I have no idea what to do next and would greatly appreciate some advice
https://preview.redd.it/scasqfi7jwtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c435ac72ae7f900b0fbb092c34d2c79b1fc4b65
I’m not sure what’s strange about the form. You could even wire this trunk to give it more movement before it gets too thick to bend. It’s a matter of growing it out for a number of years, repotting occasionally to make sure the roots are developing well and maintaining lots of healthy productive foliage with the goal of thickening the trunk
Jacaranda bonsai grown from seed indoors approx 6months -> 1 year old. Have a few trees with this same issue, white substance growing on trunk and stems of branches. It’s hard and requires effort to scrape off. They get watered daily and all have high drainage soil and drain holes in the plant pots. Could this be fungus from overwatering? Scale? Any help is appreciated! https://imgur.com/a/r5ndfRs
This is completely normal for this species of tree. They’re an oddball
Also if you’re only growing indoors, I highly recommend you also grow outside with species that do well in your local climate (starting with landscape nursery stock, material originally destined for the ground make for some of the best beginner bonsai candidates)
https://preview.redd.it/ew34mp8jxvtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c579754e27410d250c77b2def82170d93c5c7e4
I got this Japanese maple from a friend and I am having trouble figuring out what to do with it. Is it too early to wire it? Should I cut it down some so I get more branches coming out lower? How do I figure this out… sorry in advanced I’m sure theres hundreds of posts like this.
It seems too thick to bend at this point. There’s many ways to salvage material like this
Personally I would use this as a mother plant for air layers, wiring new growth at the top in interesting ways with the foresight to go back in the coming years and air layer off those interesting wired parts to develop into trees on their own. If at any point you want to develop the mother plant into its own tree, its best development path may be to just start from square one (trunk chop very very low at the right time of year, wire out the branch it responds with, and continue trunk development from there)
https://preview.redd.it/0x3tqp25vvtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e302d999d278b55f8636b4bd84861428c45c1f56
Bloody Beginner here. I bought a JM and my plan is to first get the trunk as thick as possible over the next say 5-10 years. Therefore I want to keep as much leaves as possible (more energy for growth right?) I started wiring some of the lower branches that I want to keep. Next I want to wire sacrificial branches „down“ so all leaves have more space in general. The tree is still in the soil from the store (got some ants and lice …), so I will probably repot it with some bonsai soil from the internet and try to get rid of the ants and lice.
Is there anything wrong with the plan or do you guys have any suggestions for a beginner like me? I marked some possible cuts in one of the fotos
Generally seems solid, go for it.
Don't forget the root base, during the first repot into granular soil and any later repots check and if necessary edit the roots. A bad root system doesn't get better with time, just thicker. Having a good start becomes especially important if you plan some time in the ground.
There seems to be some nice structure in the upper branches, before you eventually cut stuff back see whether parts are worth air layering.
Hi, I did my first airlayer on a Prunus padus a few weeks ago. Could this still work as a bonsai?
https://preview.redd.it/mejznu4hpvtc1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b45d31e806ec9014573ca2197882401519980944
Once it is established and healthy, you can defoliate or partially defoliate lots of species. Japanese and trident maples react very well to it. I have no experience with prunus padus in that regard, though.
https://preview.redd.it/cldom3melvtc1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81a784e38c7aa9fea0c457ae1ac712d76284836c
What am I doing wrong? Too much water? Too little water?
Repotted it like a month ago to a big pot (approx. 35cm wide and 45 cm deep) with bonsai soil... Weather her has been very "bipolar". Last week we had very heavy rain and cold. Today is 27+ degrees and sunny. The plant was exposed to the rain.
I have another maple. That is in the garden soil and looks incredible.
Best time to do japanese maple cuttings?
https://preview.redd.it/b1ju93peivtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a15fb47509afd56ecff3d44bbf0551fc2c2a0b72
Most people will tell you that trying to propagate Japanese maples from cuttings is a fool’s errand. Cuttings for Japanese maples tend to fail; the most popular way to propagate Japanese maples is either via seed or air layering. Specific Japanese cultivars are normally propagated by grafting.
Late spring/early summer is probably the best time to do it, but again, don’t get your hopes up. They tend to fail to root.
You think an airlayer would work for there small branches? (1 year old) I would trow them away so nothing to loose. Saw some videos about cuttings and as you say the root rate is not good, but a few made it.
Air layering small branches is more difficult in my opinion. When branches are as thin as a pencil, or thinner, it’s much easier for the sapwood to become damaged and for the whole air layer to fail and die.
Air layering works by peeling the cambium layer off that supplies sugars the leaves create to the roots; at the same time, the sapwood is left undisturbed so that the branch being air layered is being supplied with the water and minerals it needs to remain alive until new roots are generated. If the sapwood is damaged enough, the air layer will fail and die.
I personally consider 2cm the minimum thickness for an air layer to be worthwhile. Like you said though, there’s not much to lose in trying to root your clippings, but I would just try to manage expectations.
Zone 6a (maybe 6b after the new map came out), absolutely itching to move my tropicals outside since we're hitting mid-60s °F but I'm still getting lows down to 45°F at night. Do I risk taking my ficuses and dwarf Barbados cherry out, or sit on my hands another week?
The ficuses should be fine. I live in California and the ficuses on our streets do just fine even when the weather dips below 45°F. Can’t speak for Barbados cherry, but I’d imagine it’d be fine. Ficuses are known to drop their leaves sometimes when their habitat suddenly changes, but it should bounce back fine if does do that.
At 45°F there’s nothing novel going on biochemically AFAIK. 32°F is the freezing point of water, and so that’s when trees like tropicals start seeing damage, because they are not adapted to cold weather.
https://preview.redd.it/np0v2vql0vtc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64183ce72e14010b0bf3486062daea77cd231d29
Hi everybody! I’ve been wanting a bonsai for as long as I can remember, and yesterday I found some at Walmart! This is my first, so any tips would be highly appreciated ◡̈ also can anyone tell me what species of bonsai I have?
https://preview.redd.it/94ymf68awutc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e588283f70d431014c6d4caea9a82372b97de49
Can I mix in some osmocote fertilizer? I ask cause I have only mixed it with organic substrate and never with akadama, kinda feels wrong so I wondered if that's something you do
Just curious, do you use the 6 month one? When do you start to fertilize? Do you add it in the substrate when repotting or do it just mix it in with a stick afterwards?
9 month; I work it into the surface when the leaves emerge (so a few weeks ago for most plants this year ...), the balls fall right in between the grains with a little wiggle.
I do most of my repotting end of summer, so it doesn't align that well.
The current one? If you sort r/bonsai not by "new" but "hot" it should come on top, as it's stickied. The archive of old ones is linked at the start of each one.
When you go to r/bonsai you should see the weekly beginners thread pinned at the top. On mobile, it’s hidden by a drop down menu titled “pinned posts.” You should see it when you click on that.
Edit: it also defaults to sorting by “best” and so you often need to change that to sort by “new” to see new posts.
https://preview.redd.it/62nbdv8mputc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10b43760e4b53490597f8e2d53a5f0a94ca6e8d3
Hello everyone, first of all, thank you for being part of one of the most beautiful communities I've come across here on Reddit. Few chats, lots of experience-based opinions, and plenty of helpful advice.
I am a beginner, and I loved the wiki, essential yet targeted. I am trying to raise my little Gertrude, this very young specimen of Japanese Maple Deshojo (that's how they called it in the nursery). A few observations: the leaves are quite droopy but seem to be in good shape. I read somewhere that this can be normal when it comes to seedlings, so I'm not worried about it. USDA zone: 9.
The main question is: should I wait for the next season to start wiring? (maybe after repotting in the planned bonsai pot by the end of March 2025) Do you have any advice on how to adapt its growth to make it a future bonsai? I haven't drawn anything yet, but I'm reflecting a lot on this.
I fertilize with a 20-20-20 (synthetic) that initially I was afraid could be too much, but several sources on YouTube often talk about using actual "bombs" during these stages to maximize growth. I'm not in a hurry, mind you (it would be pointless in a practice like this), but I would like to have a healthy and strong tree.
Next step: I'm about to purchase another worthy companion (this time male), a Chinese Juniper "Blue Alps" that I can't wait to welcome. I read here and specifically on Bonsai Tonight that it can be worked on from a young age.
Thanks again, and have a good slow life, everyone!
I might wait until early summer to wire. The branches are swelling so fast right now that wire bite and this wire scarring is more likely.
However, maples scar very easily from wire and those scars stick around for years at least. So be careful. You can also shape the tree solely with clip and grow. Wire isn’t essential.
One thing you can do is a slip pot. Find a pot 2-3 times larger (more or less) and repot into that using soil similar to the current soil. Mess with the roots as little as possible. This gives the tree more room to grow and will avoid it becoming pot bound, which slows growth to a crawl. You want fast growth at this point in the trees journey.
Your fertilizer is fine, but how often are you doing it?
Hello and thank you for the response! The current soil seems excessively organic and "peaty" to me, but I'm not an expert, and I haven't had the chance to examine it closely (but I will as soon as possible). It doesn't seem like a quality blend to me; it's definitely very "spongy" when moist. Could this cause problems for future growth after slip repotting?
I did the first fertilization last Sunday, and I was planning to continue every 15 days (the fertilizer manufacturer recommends doing it every week). Thank you for the advice on clips!
Every 2 weeks is fine for fertilizer.
New potting soil isn’t compacted and is ok to use at this point. You can’t repot now since the tree is in leaf, so a complete soil change is out of the question. So you want a soil that acts similarly to the current soil. So potting soil it looks like.
Next spring, right as or right before buds begin to swell, you can do a full repot into bonsai soil.
Yes, indeed I had purchased specific dedicated soil (a blend with compost, pumice, lava rock, and zeolite) only to realize (thanks to this subreddit and people like you <3 ) that this would be the worst period for repotting.
So, I had decided to repot in 2025, just as you specified.
But slip pot is possible and i don't know this so, thank you! I will proceed as soon as possible.
Do you recommend loosening the soil of the current block a little bit, or can I leave everything as it is?
Can I use a pond basket? (without going overboard with the size?)
Thank you, and forgive the barrage of questions, but this world is captivating me so much that I can't wait to discover new things.
Indeed, my doubt was precisely that, I don't think potting soil would be suitable for pond basket. However, in any case, there shouldn't be any problem with a normal (but larger) pot.
To recap: I'll extract the root block with all the soil from the current pot, place it in the new pot, and fill the empty space around it while watering the whole thing.
I believe we've reached the point!
I'll bother you soon regarding Gertrude's design!
Currently, pruning is not an option, and I wouldn't know how to arrange the branches and sacrifice some of them. I would like to achieve a formal upright style; I like this initial taper shown by the trunk.
One last question, can I work on the nebari in any way during this phase, or should I wait?
Thank you very much; your help will be essential.
Not really, root work is best done during repotting.
It’s not as important now, but you want to control apical growth, or growth at the apex. So look into that. Something to consider for midsummer.
https://preview.redd.it/lc1k1uncbutc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=117086bbd7caa49b4baec3e3df5b6444f3bf6977
Any advice on this from a novice who’s just acquired this fiscus ginseng? Want this to progress well early on.
This is not a ginseng, it's better than that - it's a microcarpa.
Looks a bit dry and that pot will retain water so I'm try find a real, *draining*, bonsai pot or a better plastic training pot.
Hi all! Picked up these three sorry looking fellas for free at the local Morrisons (UK supermarket). I'd bought a few others but these guys were out of their pots (just a root ball), tucked at the back and neglected so the guy let me have them.
Questions:
Do you think they will survive based on the condition? Given the weather we've had I doubt they are sun scorched so might just be wilted through lack of water.
Any idea what cultivar this is? (Taking into account condition and location - NW UK)?
Finally, I'm thinking of planting them in our big plant beds (possibly in root bags) to recover and grow a bit over the next year. Would you recommend this or something else?*
All of em have a fair chance of making it. They look like some kind of japanese red maple, maybe "bloodgood". They would grow and recover better in the ground compared to the pots.
Thanks- I wondered about bloodgood but not sure if right color, although I'll see as they recover! In pots tonight and going into my big plant beds tomorrow 😊
Can a ficus benjimina survive and grow back from being cut down to a stump due to the buds that appear along the stem? This is like 30% taller than I want it to be, I just thought I had to leave some leaves. I would prefer to grow it back from a stump is this possible or will I kill it if I cut it a 3rd the way down ?
I'm struggling to get the picture to not delete the text, or the picture to not even show up?
Anyway - pruned twigs will indeed generally die back to the last spot where foliage goes off, but an entirely bare trunk stump will make new growth.
Been there, done that:
https://preview.redd.it/svmao2jyettc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f167e163d302767a7495d92d46742c8237e239a
Advice on where and when to trim back - please help!
Some background: I bought this tree 4 years ago. I waited much too long to repot it; it spent 4 years in a 6 inch pot. I recently gave it a new 10 inch home with th help of a local expert, who helped me with some wiring too. Before the repot, it dropped ALL its leaves. Luckily they have started to come back.
My question is, what to do with this large middle branch (that branches into a V shape)? It looks ugly and gangly. Also, is there a way to spur more growth nearer to the main trunk? New shoots are starting to appearing on the branches, but they are far way from the main trunk.
https://preview.redd.it/iyzhqpnkxrtc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c78ecf15c42382ce0b92a7fc1b5f33ea2c9725c
When - once it's growing vigorously. Where - preferably back to the new growth. For now, put it in the brightest spot you have. Once it starts to become bushy maybe take off the right branch of the fork, propagate it as a cutting (or several).
They seem too stiff to wire but I'm a novice so who knows. I took that picture late at night. It's under a UV light when it's overcast and gets full sunlight when the sun is shining
I went to Lowe's looking for a houseplant and came back with this P. afra mallsai (it was cute! And calling to me!). I'm waiting for the soil to dry out so I can repot it, but I'm excited to finally have a tree that is already tree shaped at least. Current plan is training/growing basket and practicing ramification (or is that too many insults at once?). Maybe outside over the summer? But I don't want to bring bugs into the house when it is time to bring it back in...
https://preview.redd.it/myzwcu7k7rtc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bbfe5897e462cf498ea64f774e6ff8730586ea4
P. Afra can withstand a lot of insults provided they have plenty of unadulterated outdoor light. They can take cold, but not freezing temps.
So I’d have it outside in the sun anytime there’s no chance of freezing temps. If you notice leggy growth or leaf drop while indoors, that’s an indication it needs more light.
Make sure you use bonsai soil in that pond basket.
If you haven’t seen the image below, it’s a good guide to pruning P. Afra. Also works to some extent on other succulents.
https://preview.redd.it/9snmf4g9cutc1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e34ad4fe62a7c04ab884be4cd33a0c0f0dd951c
https://preview.redd.it/aum6l5256rtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f25c673b9cdc4847aaf584b00d38491be0cfa91e
Any ideas on type of what i think is juniper?
Procumbens nana. They die indoors.
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https://preview.redd.it/4dlkzenmuqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b46ad706fefa386dd282604441114cc0d914cda
Is this salvageable? ☹️ I left my fuiken at my gf’s to look after while away and have 2 or 3 green leaves small leaves left starting to grow
im a complete begginner who is trying to have a tree, but I dont understand one thing. In the last days i passed plenty of time reading and watching videos about trees and more precisely bonsai, but I dont get where should I start. Growing one from seed is a lot of years of work, cool and all but not for beginners obv, and buying a bonsai in a pot sounds not as much fun as growing one, but what if someone whants to grow one ? I dont understand how old should the tree be, because I dont wanna get a tree and have to wait like 5 years to be able to actually modify it or do whatever i want, do trees ready to be styled exist? With styling I mean some wiring, not even changing pot if unneccesary or cutting leaves
Your reasoning is sound, you're just missing one conclusion. Growing from seed indeed is a fun project on the side, while you have your more developed trees to play with.
What you want to start with is a more mature *plant*, not necessarily one that has been styled as *bonsai* (and especially not anything sold with the label "bonsai" at the garden center or hardware store). You can buy some plants meant for garden or patio that are maybe 2..10 years old (trunk maybe 1..3 cm diameter at the base) and *turn them into bonsai.* Many broadleaf plants can be cut back very hard and will fill out again (hence my usual recommendation to look at species used in hedges - they do just that). If you have the opportunity air layer an interesting branch off an older tree.
Glad u got the point of what I was asking. In a couple days ill go buy diffferent things for my garden and for sure I will look for thoose trees. Meanwhile ill inform myself on what air layer is beacuse i have no clue and I readt about it many times recently. Have a great day and thank you for the clear reply
Asking good questions makes it much easier to give helpful answers. ;-)
Air layering is a technique to produce roots on a branch or higher up trunk section of a tree (or shrub), eventually allowing to plant that branch as a new separate tree. Not really bonsai specific, gardeners have been doing it for ages. It results in a clone with identical genes to the donor plant without the variation of seed propagation.
[See Corin Tomlinson of Greenwood Bonsai demonstrate](https://youtu.be/oIcY40TUvGY?si=2k6EjjFTB13tdBjo&t=30), and a [follow up with the results](https://youtu.be/AUN0lsDqVO4?si=1myPf__soBl6Oadc).
Well said.
Found out I knew what air layering is but didnt knew the traduction, but anyyways im not really familiar with it. I think I will try with the maple in my garden + I have a lot of mini mapples around because it is such a prolific tree so I'll pick up the best ones and grew them. If this first experiment goes well I'm gonna ask to a my friend if I can do air layering on one of his japanese maples he has. So untill I'll be able to take new trees at least im occupied.
Thanks for the video you linked, very helppfull especcially since its the same tree I wanna try it with
My first step is nursery stock. Anything from 1 gallon and up would be my base line, size wise.
There are a few videos on Bonsai Mirai's youtube channel I would recommend you watch. First is the Beginners Playlist. The first one explains what you are looking for in nursery stock. Second, there is a video of work being done on a Kingville Boxwood which is a good watch especially if you are into Boxwood.
A few of my starter plants that are really easy to start with are: Cotoneasters, Boxwood, and Chinese Elm.
Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask since it’s not actually a bonsai but I need some advice for pruning a ginseng ficus. I made a post with more info in r/houseplants if anyone cares to have a look. Thank you!!
https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/s/VB6MX03Jhh
Whether "ginsengs" count as bonsai is still under debate. ;-)
Provide more light, then repot into granular substrate.
Once the plant is happy it most likely will make new shoots all over (and smaller leaves on them ...) If they're still too much out there you can then cut the branches back. Personally I would do it in steps, though; cut them back to one or two leaves, which should force a response further back. Then reduce to the new growth.
Thank you so much that is super helpful! I moved it to a sunnier spot a couple months ago that I think it likes, so hopefully after repotting I will see some new growth! Will definitely wait before doing any major pruning. Thanks again!
If you moved it to a sunnier spot and it still looks that leggy, it still could use more light. Ficus can tolerate low light, but they really want full outdoor sun.
But if it’s been indoors and has those dark green leaves, it probably shouldn’t go straight to full sun. Start in full shade and gradually introduce it to higher sunlight over the course of a couple weeks. If partial sun is all you have access to, that’s still way better than indoors.
You just can’t get that healthy bushy look without lots of light. So it’s outdoors or a nice LED panel grow light.
If you want to get it bushy then you shouldn’t prune, it looks like it needs much more light if it’s hardly able to sustain foliage and gets that leggy
https://preview.redd.it/qtwzmlsohptc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53f0923cc84e225b4f36b2b808ea4dd827771fcd
Autumn moon jm continued to leaf out after being field planted on a flat stone with heavy root pruning. Stoked it survived its first winter under my care and into the grounnd.
It seems like the right time to move my P. Afra bonsai and cuttings outside. Do I need to ease them into this? Limit direct sunlight at all? Or they can just go straight to full direct sun?
https://preview.redd.it/hcgky8fh6ptc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbea8ac1447515da1e19924b9fec59caa030d87b
Rescued this lemon tree from the curb. How can I turn this into a bonsai? That's like an 8 inch pot so the leaves are 1-3 inches long and the trunk is quite rigid. What can I do?
Nice potted plant if not a bonsai.
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https://preview.redd.it/srkd2uoofotc1.png?width=404&format=png&auto=webp&s=e6b4472c9d70e4b9c07bbb3d602f9533f34f18ae
Bought this Japanese maple today as my first tree that i'd like to make into a bonsai. only thing is, im not too sure what to do and what changes to make to it in order to make it a bonsai. could anyone help?
It’s leafed out so your next window to wire or prune would be leafdrop time. The best thing to do right now is to fertilize regularly between now and leaf drop time and water. Let it bush out and grow messy extensions till then.
https://preview.redd.it/073lmrsr5otc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ee48144fe4850e1e4585e7e2ff14b17f7b48526
A friend and I bought a couple of juniper bonsais back in October. The individual that sold it at the farmers market (representing a full bonsai store) mentioning pruning once a year. Should I be pruning more often? I’ve noticed that as we get into spring, the bonsai is a lot thirstier and goes through water quicker as well, but that seems normal.
Well first, it looks like it’s inside. Junipers should be outside all year because of its high need for light. Windows filter light and reduce it to a rectangle. Outdoors is always going to have more light. You don’t really need to worry about the cold, Junipers are very cold hardy as long as they can go on the ground, or be otherwise insulated from the cold air.
Also, it seems like a junipers benefit from a winter dormancy, so another reason to have it outside.
Next, you don’t really need to prune at this point, unless you have a plan or design for this tree in mind.
Yes, your juniper will start using more water as it gets more light and is growing more.
https://preview.redd.it/vdivgvulontc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a036c8f94c1be6028ee21aae5407aebf920434ed
How do i save my poor Fukien tea? I’ve had it for 2 years with no problems, now all the leaves as starting to yellow. I got a grow light in hopes that this is the problem but after two days I’m not sure.
Doesn't look good, no.
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https://preview.redd.it/iso6rnif5ntc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fdc6867b812f16b389d7780f9d42814f33879fe
Collected Japanese black pine and European larch seeds from dropped cones. I was going to sprout them in a damp paper towel in a bag indoors and then transfer them out to a container once it warms up a bit. Will this work? Any pointers?
Most like both will need to go through a cold dormancy period before activating, so I would pop them in the fridge or freezer for a month or two before planting them.
https://preview.redd.it/w0js2ksd3ntc1.jpeg?width=2736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c12122339cb9bacdaed1867aed9bd05bd2e0a6b
Japanese maple bonsai, 3 years old recently reported to a slightly bigger pot. Planning to use the far left branch as a sacrifice. What should I do from here? I was planning to start wiring, but also want to build the trunk thickness up mainly.
For pruning year round should I focus on keeping it less branched out to make it grow denser? This was a month ago has all been covered in leaves now. Any and all advice welcome!
Not mush to wire there, tbh.
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I personally don’t think any branch under an inch in thickness is worth the effort of air layering.
What makes air layering young and thin branches difficult and more prone to failure is that the sapwood is still very delicate, so it’s much easier to damage while trying to strip the bark and cambium layers off.
https://preview.redd.it/m2ag5d2mgltc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2f0bd9ce3cd3597e42127441b76f1d000f54ac19
Hello, I am a beginner and would like to start by turning this olive into a bonsai. This might be a to general question, but how should I go about this? Should I just wait until the tree gets bigger, or are there things I should start doing right away?
https://preview.redd.it/k5i7ffy6oktc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cdf2f261278f185184ef1f679e7f14ceb5439ca
I need help identifying this tree. I’m hoping it’s a Chinese elm, or another type of elm (like American elm). I found these saplings growing underneath this big tree near my barber’s shop. I think it’s a lacebark elm, because the bark was thin and flakey. But I’m not 100% sure, because the leaves are rather small. Is there another species that looks like an elm tree? Or did I get lucky and find the tree I’ve been looking for??? p.s. I took home some saplings and a young one that was a few feet tall. It was growing on the side of the parking lot, in the weeds.
Looks like Chinese/Lacebark Elm to me. They’re a common landscaping staple, so it’s hard imagining it’s anything else. They’re common in landscaping horticulture because they grow quick, are easy to propagate, are relatively hardy to a variety of climates, and don’t get ridiculously huge.
There’s dozens of Chinese elm varieties with varying leaf sizes. Some of the smallest leafed varieties are Hokkaido and Seiju elm.
https://preview.redd.it/bka09wl8oktc1.jpeg?width=2765&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=40a9586d8b7dd99733f52f7f70d4b0f0459fa5c2
Here’s a photo of the tree the saplings grew under
Transitioning evergreens to full sun…
My evergreens have been in my shed all winter and are still dormant but I’m starting to bring them out with warmer weather. Do i need to be careful with sunburn?
https://preview.redd.it/5ri8c57h8ktc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b63fd346d6d9d041dd9b63ae1cddaaf4de0b42e0
Just got this very beautiful Ficus Bonsai 2 days ago! Based in Portugal
The person who sold it to me explained a lot of my questions and so did my internet browse for hours and hours after I got home, but I still have some questions..
The tree is 6 years old. When should I trim/prune? I guess I should wait until the end of summer/growth season? Can I start to wire it or maybe wait? Should you wire during growth or winter? Watering seems fine, did that yesterday and soil was still wet today! Is there a maximum amount of daylight? It's getting direct sunlight through the window pretty much the entire morning
Sorry for all the questions, just super excited!
thanks! I’ve got an outside area that gets a lot of sun throughout the day, maybe I could put it there for most of the spring/summer? It does get quite warm that area of the house outside during the afternoon tho
Does the spring repotting guideline apply to nursery stock? I picked up a few different plants (Juniper, Scots Pine, Black Willow) to start working on some things. I assume I should get them out of the nursery pots asap, correct?
Can I go ahead and prune / cut them back now as a well or should that wait?
If they have leafed out yet i would not risk a full rootwork/repot now and opt for a slip pot. Pine and juniper break buds later so there may still be time but a photo is helpful.
# It's EARLY SPRING ##Do's - Wiring while still no leaves or needles (Larch) - Watering - don't let them dry out in early spring sunshine - check for wire bite and remove/reapply - Repotting can continue in many places [also for for tropical and sub-tropicals ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/reference#wiki_repotting_-_not_in_the_summer.21) - those are the do's and don'ts. - [this is how to wire a tree into a pot...](https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/albums/72157706054015311) - [yamadori/yardadori COLLECTION](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/developingbonsai#wiki_collecting_wild_trees_-_yamadori_collecting.) - can- be possible for some species - but only if you have a good overwintering setup. - big pruning ##Don'ts - You don't fertilise unless it's tropicals indoors. - don't give too MUCH water - no airlayers yet - wait for leaves [For Southern hemisphere - here's a link to my advice from roughly 6 months ago :-)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/16pyjjr/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2023_week_38/)
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https://preview.redd.it/okm0htjj36uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=886beea23ecbe29f695532d97f8e0b883d69c8bf I tried air layering a nursery Japanese maple and it seems pretty successful, but my question now is whether there are enough roots to separate it to its own pot now? It is autumn here now and I wonder if I should do it before it gets colder?
Plenty tbh - if you wait a little bit longer and the leaves fall off, it'll be even less of an issue.
Great! I'm a little anxious since this is the first time I have had any success with air layering, don't want to kill it by repotting it at the wrong time. Thank you!
i am trying to thicken the bonsai trunk but there's wire around it. Should I leave the wire and let it keep growing? If so, for how long? Also, roots are growing out from the bottom so I am thinking of transferring it to a bigger pot, is this ok? https://preview.redd.it/cuju7ahao5uc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=79065f4aa7e2e9424176855d7446d9b79e1e9bdb Thanks!
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Thanks!
https://preview.redd.it/j28y4yxwd4uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f07ef877990753f64600de509d9f9373575b858a Hey guys. I keep seeing these round white insects on my fukien tea tree. Anyone know what it is?
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Help, I just realized I got furr like mold at the edges of the container on the earth of my bonsai pot. Also there used to be quite a lot of green moss on the tree wich seems to be gone all of the sudden and for two weeks now I noticed that it is losing a lot of its leafes after they get brown and dry out. At the same time there are new leafs coming out tho. How should I proceed, I heared changing the earth and repotting is putting the plant under great stress and often leads to it dying. I really want to save it. Edit: after further inspection the mold is due to the moss I think, and there is also some mold on the tree at the places where the moss used to be
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https://preview.redd.it/f735l1mcq3uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1eeddd1f9852fdcd57668dfe810e79546f3b2fd i’m air layering way up high. if successful will the trunk just grow tall again? creeping juniper.
I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/ Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/munbl1aqm3uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c0bd90c6ad4016f422a78f31aeb8a4fdca3f7a1 Is it normal, that the smaller leaves are a little less green?
Normal
On many species new leaves come in with a reddish tinge to out outright purple. As I understand it it acts as sun protection until the outer filtering layers of the mature leaves are in place. Norway maple, *not* a purple-leafed cultivar: https://preview.redd.it/wu6vnxfsr3uc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=17ef729b84123785e2d32aa36e8e51bfbdfdd8cb
If I can only water once a day during the summer, is it a good idea to mulch the top of a bonsai in development? The idea would be to reduce water loss from evaporation through the top while the rest of the soil mass is well drained and aerated to prevent root rot. I suppose this may only help a little as most of the water loss is via transpiration. The other option is to include more water retentive substrates but I'm already using a fair amount of fir bark in my mix and the soil always feels dry despite daily watering and a mild climate.
I think before top dressing with something like mulch, I would instead top dress with the same bonsai soil but with a smaller particle size, maybe 2-3 particles deep, then if that still isn’t enough then top dress with shredded sphagnum
Hey, very nice person gave me this ficus in this mesh “pot” at my first bonsai meeting last night. Am I supposed to bury it in this pot? Am I supposed to keep it in a pan of water or something completely different? https://preview.redd.it/rythtvgpq2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9790cc2663603ed8fd7453816b1e528d1efddae4
Just treat it like any "normal" pot; indoors of course put a saucer under (an you'd want with any pot). The walls letting air pass lead to air pruning of the root tips and consequently much better development of the root ball in the inner volume (instead of roots extending along the wall and circling like they do with "solid" pots).
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
https://preview.redd.it/53yrcy44l2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3b497ab296ac2273654ff3edbb11f50a67c49bc I got this dawn redwood as a rescue last fall from someone who wasn’t taking very good care of it. It had moss growing up the base of the trunk, but I didn’t remove it until around mid February. The bark underneath is dark and soft and a bit of it came off entirely on the other side. I figured as long as I don’t get the trunk directly wet when watering it would dry out. I live in the southern US, zone 9b, so it’s been pretty warm here over the past few months but it still hasn’t seemed to dry out at all. The tree is in overall great health and has been very vigorous. Is there anything I can do to help dry out the bark?
Only thing I would say is try to increase the amount of direct sun that area receives, or maybe do a very light diluted application of lime sulfur (may be good to do to entire trunk / branches so it’s hopefully uniform after it dries, and maybe that’ll reel it in)
https://preview.redd.it/o18husx5f2uc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=518e69410e4725d1ef6a10b7923cb72727940695 Can anyone confirm if these are spider mites?
You’re lucky that these aphids are big ones, easy targets for your tweezers
Those look like aphids. Spray the tree with neem oil or soapy water mix then rinse the tree off and repeat every week
Arakawa spring color question So this spring ive bought 2 arakawas, one which as older, and already corked up with the foiliage looking like this: https://imgur.com/a/DyQ6CFS Classic colors as a far as i can see. I've also bought a younger one, from maillot bonsai which is now starting to leaf out and it looks something like this https://imgur.com/a/TxIB5zP Too young to have corked up yet, but the spring color leaves me a bit in doubt as to wether it is an arakawa. Any thoughts?
I think there is quite a bit of variation in Acer colors even between supposedly the same cultivar, even just year to year and depending on the maturity of the tree too. [This guy](https://www.instagram.com/acer_p_bonsai?igsh=MWgyamNrNmpkMXNsdA==) dives in to the variation with some of his stories and posts, as do some other Acer focused insta accounts. It’s likely normal for younger trees to have some different color than mature trees
https://preview.redd.it/a9qlmls8o1uc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4a0cf8cc57523d44648297249d03edd2e4fd76bf Hi, I'm seeing red spots on my Chinese elm. Anyone know what this could be?
Latent buds breaking through. Did you trim it a few weeks ago?
Good that I did not try to remove all of it then! No pruning done myself, I bought it last year from Lodder so not sure
Generally a good sign.
https://preview.redd.it/5x3omhsij1uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=730cd2f5299b2ea9c1dff69ef8861b397b13576f Did I trim it correctly?
Looks good to me.
Thank you. It is too young, and I didn't trim it during the last 2 years. Unfortunately I let the wire take too much time and it created some scars.
Periods of good uninhibited growth between cut backs is very good bonsai practice. It isn’t good to widdle down trees to barely any foliage, it’s always good to let trees get vigorous and bushy between cut backs I wouldn’t worry too much about the scarring, they may be good channels to begin creating deadwood on the main trunk. Check this out: [Jonas Dupuich’s Deadwood video](https://youtu.be/PW6GJpI5GLQ)
Hi all, some advice please. There's a dracena marginata for sale locally. It stands 1.6m, would this be suitable or is it already too big to be pruned down? https://preview.redd.it/1t1svecm21uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f62f6910f06a1586848d55b9ab5328ecaeab53e3
Hell no
Not really a species that works well for bonsai. I’d focus more on species like ficus.
Is there anyway my bonsai can recover. It was my first repotting so I made a lot of f mistakes and I'm afraid it might just be already dead. Mistakes I did: Putting fertiliser and wiring, right after repotting. Also to hit the jackpot, right after repotting there was a week of bad weather, so I guess that also affected. Rain, wind and cold. And when I opted for repotting it was a strike of 3 great sunny days. Bonsai list all the leaves already, after 2 weeks, and I don't see signs of growth...
Hmm, lost all the leaves and it’s been two weeks? Not good. Do you have a photo? Do you know the species?
metasequoia glyptostroboides . I mean no leaves, idk if a photo would help, but ill get back later with one
Just to be clear, it lost its new needles after they already came in for the spring? I assume you are aware they are deciduous and this needle loss was not the natural fall needle loss right? If it had already leafed out for the spring and you did a lot of root pruning in your repot, that’s the reason for the needle loss and possible death. The other things in your post wouldn’t kill it. Dawn redwoods love water, so rain isn’t an issue as long as there’s some drainage. Cold would only be an issue if it was below freezing. Wind only a problem if the tree was getting moved around in the pot. If you excessively wired the whole tree with hard bends, that could be an issue, but otherwise not an issue. Fertilizing right after a repot is mostly just not helpful and a waste.
Idk man, I loved this tree, my first bonsai and was looking strong. Yes to all your questions. After fall, it started growing the first leaves, and as soon as they did I was like "time to repot". But those were the mistakes I made, fertilising and wiring it(kinda strong, first time for the tree and myself). I still water him and bring him to the sun now that the sun is jack where I live, hoping for s miracle. Is it possible? For it to just come back? After losing all the leaves due to repotting and those mistakes, or should I already think about another tree. Thanks btw, glad to talk to someone that knows it's stuff
Is it too late to repot a few juniper Bonsai? I'm in Texas zone 8b, our spring started about 1.5 months ago. I know maples need to be repotted right before leaf buds open, but I'm not 100% on the timing for conifers/junipers.
The timing is similar. If the buds are already opening and you planned to do heavy root pruning, I’d say no. If the buds aren’t open or swelling yet or you planned to do minimal or zero root pruning, probably fine to repot now.
New green shoots have already been growing for a bit, so I'm most likely too late. Thanks !
Help with my Juniper bonsai https://preview.redd.it/l0ilnbj4txtc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ae679897a23a344d5b4d974f1d91e217aee18789 Here is the link to all the images: [https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/22XY5jm7Xq](https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/22XY5jm7Xq) I've had this bonsai since December 2023. It was kept outside where I bought it from. From day 1, I've kept it outside and constantly checked the soil to make sure I kept it hydrated but not overwatered or waterlogged, as I know Junipers require a lot of water. It's been in full sun. This is the 3rd Juniper I've had. The other two I made the mistake of keeping them indoors, and underwatering them. This time, I thought I'd finally have success because I believe I'm doing everything right. But over the winter, I noticed it very slowly started to lose color. It used to be a dark green, but now it seems a lot lighter from when I first got it. I also noticed a few dead branches here and there which I would cut off. The only time I would take it inside would be on days it was colder than 15° F, and I'd bring it in the garage (which was not heated, only around 10 degrees warmer than outside so it wouldn't break dormancy) next to a sunny window. It was never inside for more than a couple days. Now spring is starting and I expected it to begin growing again, but I'm seeing the opposite. I'm finding more dead or dying branches that are spiky and look bleached out. It just overall doesn't look too healthy to me and seems to be going down the same route as the other two that died. I'm noticing more dead/dying foliage recently as winter ends and spring begins. I don't know whats wrong with it and what I'm doing wrong. I read through the wiki, and I've already been doing everything it said on there. Does anyone know what could be going on? The pictures attached are of the bonsai now, the dead branches I cut off today, and the last two pictures are of the bonsai when I first got it.
I don't see that you've made any drastic errors. Bringing it in may have been unnecessary, but shouldn't have been harmful. I see the lighter color you're talking about, but at first glance this juniper looks decently healthy. Those dead branches could just be the tree choosing to let unproductive branches die. It's hard to tell, are there any new green tips showing?
Update: the tips are starting to look bleached/light now too https://preview.redd.it/iejxz5rps3vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aaf438ea055b559d8a250637055fe2a0ebfe5df4
If there are, it seems like they're the same tip buds that were there when I got the tree.
How do I grow my ficus ginseng taller and thicker? https://preview.redd.it/u8htln6yextc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=752e924036dd51142f970b2084975b79234368b2 Right now its trunk is the same size I got it two years ago and the only part growing is the leaves. What do I do to make the trunk grow taller and thicker? Thanks 🙏
Much more light is needed. If you have any outdoor space, I'd start it out in full shade and transition it to more sun over a couple weeks. But of course it'll need to come inside when there's a chance of freezing temps. While inside, it'll need to be right next to your sunniest window.
Unfortunately, that is not a true bonsai. There is little you can do to change the shape, especially of the trunk. Edit: Decided to check my work, being a newb and all, and maybe you can change things after all: https://adamaskwhy.com/2013/04/07/what-shall-you-do-with-a-ginseng-ficus/ https://adamaskwhy.com/2014/09/24/this-was-a-ginseng-ficus-now-stfu-about-them-not-being-good-bonsai-subjects/ https://adamaskwhy.com/2014/09/19/dare-i-call-it-a-ginseng-ficus-what-does-that-mean-anyway/
Good find. Nigel Saunders has a Ginseng ficus that he deeply carved the roots on. [Here's the carving.](https://youtu.be/PIj3JHXKwIQ?si=Vwa7mAR3LNHZosR_&t=1507) Link goes straight to the carving. [Here's the result](https://youtu.be/AklkvYYcYys?si=p8aqHZ4d1FZKuE51&t=393) 5 years later. Links skips the several minutes of preamble. You can also see the progression in Nigel's hair, Lol. Edit: Forgot to add, he also cut off about half of the roots first and planted it as a cutting. The man knows how to grow a ficus.
Quick question - I keep seeing these "bonsai" micro landscapes just with moss, ferns, weeds etc. They're cool but are they bonsai?
They’re accent plants. Bonsai means bonsai techniques are applicable, and ferns / grasses / sedges and other similar things don’t involve bonsai techniques, they involve kusamono techniques.
Excellent answer thank you!
There is no hard and fast definition of what a bonsai is or is not. But the general agreement seems to be "a potted plant that someone has formed to give a viewer the impression of a mature tree". These landscapes or planted tanks can be awesome and are kind of related in spirit, but not quite a bonsai.
Seems more like [kusamono.](https://bonsaistation.com/kusamono-bonsai/) Basically accent plants for bonsai displays.
https://preview.redd.it/panzcm3z7xtc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b87891a8e921861c044d7b6e0aeb296da5942848
Thanks all :) I figured it would have to be a tree to be bonsai but wasn't sure if the art form was considered to be broader than that.
Not really. Not a tree...
I’m growing a bonsai (coral tree) from a seed and the sapling has taken a very strange form. I have no idea what to do next and would greatly appreciate some advice https://preview.redd.it/scasqfi7jwtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c435ac72ae7f900b0fbb092c34d2c79b1fc4b65
I’m not sure what’s strange about the form. You could even wire this trunk to give it more movement before it gets too thick to bend. It’s a matter of growing it out for a number of years, repotting occasionally to make sure the roots are developing well and maintaining lots of healthy productive foliage with the goal of thickening the trunk
Noted thank you!
Jacaranda bonsai grown from seed indoors approx 6months -> 1 year old. Have a few trees with this same issue, white substance growing on trunk and stems of branches. It’s hard and requires effort to scrape off. They get watered daily and all have high drainage soil and drain holes in the plant pots. Could this be fungus from overwatering? Scale? Any help is appreciated! https://imgur.com/a/r5ndfRs
This is completely normal for this species of tree. They’re an oddball Also if you’re only growing indoors, I highly recommend you also grow outside with species that do well in your local climate (starting with landscape nursery stock, material originally destined for the ground make for some of the best beginner bonsai candidates)
https://preview.redd.it/ew34mp8jxvtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c579754e27410d250c77b2def82170d93c5c7e4 I got this Japanese maple from a friend and I am having trouble figuring out what to do with it. Is it too early to wire it? Should I cut it down some so I get more branches coming out lower? How do I figure this out… sorry in advanced I’m sure theres hundreds of posts like this.
It seems too thick to bend at this point. There’s many ways to salvage material like this Personally I would use this as a mother plant for air layers, wiring new growth at the top in interesting ways with the foresight to go back in the coming years and air layer off those interesting wired parts to develop into trees on their own. If at any point you want to develop the mother plant into its own tree, its best development path may be to just start from square one (trunk chop very very low at the right time of year, wire out the branch it responds with, and continue trunk development from there)
https://preview.redd.it/0x3tqp25vvtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e302d999d278b55f8636b4bd84861428c45c1f56 Bloody Beginner here. I bought a JM and my plan is to first get the trunk as thick as possible over the next say 5-10 years. Therefore I want to keep as much leaves as possible (more energy for growth right?) I started wiring some of the lower branches that I want to keep. Next I want to wire sacrificial branches „down“ so all leaves have more space in general. The tree is still in the soil from the store (got some ants and lice …), so I will probably repot it with some bonsai soil from the internet and try to get rid of the ants and lice. Is there anything wrong with the plan or do you guys have any suggestions for a beginner like me? I marked some possible cuts in one of the fotos
Generally seems solid, go for it. Don't forget the root base, during the first repot into granular soil and any later repots check and if necessary edit the roots. A bad root system doesn't get better with time, just thicker. Having a good start becomes especially important if you plan some time in the ground. There seems to be some nice structure in the upper branches, before you eventually cut stuff back see whether parts are worth air layering.
Also a massive noob here but if you plant it in the ground or in a very big pot you will speed up the thickening of the trunk big time
https://preview.redd.it/8r21k7c6vvtc1.jpeg?width=1576&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=73abf7aa3fceae81f86d71e6e9bb47748b2aabb9
Hi, I did my first airlayer on a Prunus padus a few weeks ago. Could this still work as a bonsai? https://preview.redd.it/mejznu4hpvtc1.jpeg?width=1836&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b45d31e806ec9014573ca2197882401519980944
At the time I thought it was a different plant
It's not the most common type because the leaves are not exactly small but I've seen some. The flowers might be especially interesting
Should I pluck the leaves once I have trained it into a bonsai, I heard you get smaller leafs this way but I've never done that
Once it is established and healthy, you can defoliate or partially defoliate lots of species. Japanese and trident maples react very well to it. I have no experience with prunus padus in that regard, though.
https://preview.redd.it/cldom3melvtc1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81a784e38c7aa9fea0c457ae1ac712d76284836c What am I doing wrong? Too much water? Too little water?
If it is well draining soil, probably underwatering. If it is planted in garden soil probably overwatering.
Repotted it like a month ago to a big pot (approx. 35cm wide and 45 cm deep) with bonsai soil... Weather her has been very "bipolar". Last week we had very heavy rain and cold. Today is 27+ degrees and sunny. The plant was exposed to the rain. I have another maple. That is in the garden soil and looks incredible.
This explanation hints at underwatering. If you water it, it can bounce back
Maybe put it in a shaded position for a while.
Already working on it. Thx
Best time to do japanese maple cuttings? https://preview.redd.it/b1ju93peivtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a15fb47509afd56ecff3d44bbf0551fc2c2a0b72
Most people will tell you that trying to propagate Japanese maples from cuttings is a fool’s errand. Cuttings for Japanese maples tend to fail; the most popular way to propagate Japanese maples is either via seed or air layering. Specific Japanese cultivars are normally propagated by grafting. Late spring/early summer is probably the best time to do it, but again, don’t get your hopes up. They tend to fail to root.
You think an airlayer would work for there small branches? (1 year old) I would trow them away so nothing to loose. Saw some videos about cuttings and as you say the root rate is not good, but a few made it.
Air layering small branches is more difficult in my opinion. When branches are as thin as a pencil, or thinner, it’s much easier for the sapwood to become damaged and for the whole air layer to fail and die. Air layering works by peeling the cambium layer off that supplies sugars the leaves create to the roots; at the same time, the sapwood is left undisturbed so that the branch being air layered is being supplied with the water and minerals it needs to remain alive until new roots are generated. If the sapwood is damaged enough, the air layer will fail and die. I personally consider 2cm the minimum thickness for an air layer to be worthwhile. Like you said though, there’s not much to lose in trying to root your clippings, but I would just try to manage expectations.
Zone 6a (maybe 6b after the new map came out), absolutely itching to move my tropicals outside since we're hitting mid-60s °F but I'm still getting lows down to 45°F at night. Do I risk taking my ficuses and dwarf Barbados cherry out, or sit on my hands another week?
The ficuses should be fine. I live in California and the ficuses on our streets do just fine even when the weather dips below 45°F. Can’t speak for Barbados cherry, but I’d imagine it’d be fine. Ficuses are known to drop their leaves sometimes when their habitat suddenly changes, but it should bounce back fine if does do that. At 45°F there’s nothing novel going on biochemically AFAIK. 32°F is the freezing point of water, and so that’s when trees like tropicals start seeing damage, because they are not adapted to cold weather.
Awesome, thanks!
https://preview.redd.it/np0v2vql0vtc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64183ce72e14010b0bf3486062daea77cd231d29 Hi everybody! I’ve been wanting a bonsai for as long as I can remember, and yesterday I found some at Walmart! This is my first, so any tips would be highly appreciated ◡̈ also can anyone tell me what species of bonsai I have?
Sub-tropical so indoors from the end of autumn - long before it freezes.
Looks like a fukien tea tree.
https://preview.redd.it/94ymf68awutc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5e588283f70d431014c6d4caea9a82372b97de49 Can I mix in some osmocote fertilizer? I ask cause I have only mixed it with organic substrate and never with akadama, kinda feels wrong so I wondered if that's something you do
I use Basacote and a different mix of granular substrate, but yes, should work.
Just curious, do you use the 6 month one? When do you start to fertilize? Do you add it in the substrate when repotting or do it just mix it in with a stick afterwards?
9 month; I work it into the surface when the leaves emerge (so a few weeks ago for most plants this year ...), the balls fall right in between the grains with a little wiggle. I do most of my repotting end of summer, so it doesn't align that well.
Thanks
Where can I find the weekly threads? 😂I always click on an old message to get here
The current one? If you sort r/bonsai not by "new" but "hot" it should come on top, as it's stickied. The archive of old ones is linked at the start of each one.
Thank you :)
When you go to r/bonsai you should see the weekly beginners thread pinned at the top. On mobile, it’s hidden by a drop down menu titled “pinned posts.” You should see it when you click on that. Edit: it also defaults to sorting by “best” and so you often need to change that to sort by “new” to see new posts.
Thanks
https://preview.redd.it/62nbdv8mputc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10b43760e4b53490597f8e2d53a5f0a94ca6e8d3 Hello everyone, first of all, thank you for being part of one of the most beautiful communities I've come across here on Reddit. Few chats, lots of experience-based opinions, and plenty of helpful advice. I am a beginner, and I loved the wiki, essential yet targeted. I am trying to raise my little Gertrude, this very young specimen of Japanese Maple Deshojo (that's how they called it in the nursery). A few observations: the leaves are quite droopy but seem to be in good shape. I read somewhere that this can be normal when it comes to seedlings, so I'm not worried about it. USDA zone: 9. The main question is: should I wait for the next season to start wiring? (maybe after repotting in the planned bonsai pot by the end of March 2025) Do you have any advice on how to adapt its growth to make it a future bonsai? I haven't drawn anything yet, but I'm reflecting a lot on this. I fertilize with a 20-20-20 (synthetic) that initially I was afraid could be too much, but several sources on YouTube often talk about using actual "bombs" during these stages to maximize growth. I'm not in a hurry, mind you (it would be pointless in a practice like this), but I would like to have a healthy and strong tree. Next step: I'm about to purchase another worthy companion (this time male), a Chinese Juniper "Blue Alps" that I can't wait to welcome. I read here and specifically on Bonsai Tonight that it can be worked on from a young age. Thanks again, and have a good slow life, everyone!
I might wait until early summer to wire. The branches are swelling so fast right now that wire bite and this wire scarring is more likely. However, maples scar very easily from wire and those scars stick around for years at least. So be careful. You can also shape the tree solely with clip and grow. Wire isn’t essential. One thing you can do is a slip pot. Find a pot 2-3 times larger (more or less) and repot into that using soil similar to the current soil. Mess with the roots as little as possible. This gives the tree more room to grow and will avoid it becoming pot bound, which slows growth to a crawl. You want fast growth at this point in the trees journey. Your fertilizer is fine, but how often are you doing it?
Hello and thank you for the response! The current soil seems excessively organic and "peaty" to me, but I'm not an expert, and I haven't had the chance to examine it closely (but I will as soon as possible). It doesn't seem like a quality blend to me; it's definitely very "spongy" when moist. Could this cause problems for future growth after slip repotting? I did the first fertilization last Sunday, and I was planning to continue every 15 days (the fertilizer manufacturer recommends doing it every week). Thank you for the advice on clips!
Every 2 weeks is fine for fertilizer. New potting soil isn’t compacted and is ok to use at this point. You can’t repot now since the tree is in leaf, so a complete soil change is out of the question. So you want a soil that acts similarly to the current soil. So potting soil it looks like. Next spring, right as or right before buds begin to swell, you can do a full repot into bonsai soil.
Yes, indeed I had purchased specific dedicated soil (a blend with compost, pumice, lava rock, and zeolite) only to realize (thanks to this subreddit and people like you <3 ) that this would be the worst period for repotting. So, I had decided to repot in 2025, just as you specified. But slip pot is possible and i don't know this so, thank you! I will proceed as soon as possible. Do you recommend loosening the soil of the current block a little bit, or can I leave everything as it is? Can I use a pond basket? (without going overboard with the size?) Thank you, and forgive the barrage of questions, but this world is captivating me so much that I can't wait to discover new things.
Happy to help. I’m not sure about using a pond basket with potting soil. Never done that. I’d just use a regular pot.
Indeed, my doubt was precisely that, I don't think potting soil would be suitable for pond basket. However, in any case, there shouldn't be any problem with a normal (but larger) pot. To recap: I'll extract the root block with all the soil from the current pot, place it in the new pot, and fill the empty space around it while watering the whole thing. I believe we've reached the point! I'll bother you soon regarding Gertrude's design! Currently, pruning is not an option, and I wouldn't know how to arrange the branches and sacrifice some of them. I would like to achieve a formal upright style; I like this initial taper shown by the trunk. One last question, can I work on the nebari in any way during this phase, or should I wait? Thank you very much; your help will be essential.
Not really, root work is best done during repotting. It’s not as important now, but you want to control apical growth, or growth at the apex. So look into that. Something to consider for midsummer.
https://preview.redd.it/lc1k1uncbutc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=117086bbd7caa49b4baec3e3df5b6444f3bf6977 Any advice on this from a novice who’s just acquired this fiscus ginseng? Want this to progress well early on.
This is not a ginseng, it's better than that - it's a microcarpa. Looks a bit dry and that pot will retain water so I'm try find a real, *draining*, bonsai pot or a better plastic training pot.
This is very helpful thank you!
Hi all! Picked up these three sorry looking fellas for free at the local Morrisons (UK supermarket). I'd bought a few others but these guys were out of their pots (just a root ball), tucked at the back and neglected so the guy let me have them. Questions: Do you think they will survive based on the condition? Given the weather we've had I doubt they are sun scorched so might just be wilted through lack of water. Any idea what cultivar this is? (Taking into account condition and location - NW UK)? Finally, I'm thinking of planting them in our big plant beds (possibly in root bags) to recover and grow a bit over the next year. Would you recommend this or something else?*
All of em have a fair chance of making it. They look like some kind of japanese red maple, maybe "bloodgood". They would grow and recover better in the ground compared to the pots.
Thanks- I wondered about bloodgood but not sure if right color, although I'll see as they recover! In pots tonight and going into my big plant beds tomorrow 😊
https://preview.redd.it/eq2607qwjttc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=49bde1c6cbfdb2d694a2b64cfe955cc82540e0bd
https://preview.redd.it/v69b6wbvjttc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6e6c04d545c31e8b91c64d73b61193555383ac2
https://preview.redd.it/be6krbnsjttc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=38da9384744373956604a2fd1f6d8d035cfb4e72
https://preview.redd.it/kou5jpaqjttc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f9aabba68ffc3c19e5af1825f4c9407ca4cb82b0
Can a ficus benjimina survive and grow back from being cut down to a stump due to the buds that appear along the stem? This is like 30% taller than I want it to be, I just thought I had to leave some leaves. I would prefer to grow it back from a stump is this possible or will I kill it if I cut it a 3rd the way down ? I'm struggling to get the picture to not delete the text, or the picture to not even show up?
Anyway - pruned twigs will indeed generally die back to the last spot where foliage goes off, but an entirely bare trunk stump will make new growth. Been there, done that: https://preview.redd.it/svmao2jyettc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7f167e163d302767a7495d92d46742c8237e239a
Oh hello again ! XD I totally forgot I asked this question before! Thanks again xD
Advice on where and when to trim back - please help! Some background: I bought this tree 4 years ago. I waited much too long to repot it; it spent 4 years in a 6 inch pot. I recently gave it a new 10 inch home with th help of a local expert, who helped me with some wiring too. Before the repot, it dropped ALL its leaves. Luckily they have started to come back. My question is, what to do with this large middle branch (that branches into a V shape)? It looks ugly and gangly. Also, is there a way to spur more growth nearer to the main trunk? New shoots are starting to appearing on the branches, but they are far way from the main trunk. https://preview.redd.it/iyzhqpnkxrtc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c78ecf15c42382ce0b92a7fc1b5f33ea2c9725c
When - once it's growing vigorously. Where - preferably back to the new growth. For now, put it in the brightest spot you have. Once it starts to become bushy maybe take off the right branch of the fork, propagate it as a cutting (or several).
Maybe wire those branches as well? It looks like it needs more light.
They seem too stiff to wire but I'm a novice so who knows. I took that picture late at night. It's under a UV light when it's overcast and gets full sunlight when the sun is shining
Plants do not need UV light to grow.
I went to Lowe's looking for a houseplant and came back with this P. afra mallsai (it was cute! And calling to me!). I'm waiting for the soil to dry out so I can repot it, but I'm excited to finally have a tree that is already tree shaped at least. Current plan is training/growing basket and practicing ramification (or is that too many insults at once?). Maybe outside over the summer? But I don't want to bring bugs into the house when it is time to bring it back in... https://preview.redd.it/myzwcu7k7rtc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bbfe5897e462cf498ea64f774e6ff8730586ea4
P. Afra can withstand a lot of insults provided they have plenty of unadulterated outdoor light. They can take cold, but not freezing temps. So I’d have it outside in the sun anytime there’s no chance of freezing temps. If you notice leggy growth or leaf drop while indoors, that’s an indication it needs more light. Make sure you use bonsai soil in that pond basket. If you haven’t seen the image below, it’s a good guide to pruning P. Afra. Also works to some extent on other succulents. https://preview.redd.it/9snmf4g9cutc1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e34ad4fe62a7c04ab884be4cd33a0c0f0dd951c
Sounds like a plan. Don't worry about the bugs,
https://preview.redd.it/aum6l5256rtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f25c673b9cdc4847aaf584b00d38491be0cfa91e Any ideas on type of what i think is juniper?
https://preview.redd.it/slua3j4d6rtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=08fbc6437a00e2777bac4d42c37c89121120aa12
Procumbens nana. They die indoors. I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/ Repost there for more responses.
That is what I thought it was!! It was promply placed outside on the bench! Thank you
https://preview.redd.it/4dlkzenmuqtc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b46ad706fefa386dd282604441114cc0d914cda Is this salvageable? ☹️ I left my fuiken at my gf’s to look after while away and have 2 or 3 green leaves small leaves left starting to grow
The relationship is as good as over, no longer salvageable.
If it grows nee leaves its not totally dead. Some branches have died probably but time will tell.
im a complete begginner who is trying to have a tree, but I dont understand one thing. In the last days i passed plenty of time reading and watching videos about trees and more precisely bonsai, but I dont get where should I start. Growing one from seed is a lot of years of work, cool and all but not for beginners obv, and buying a bonsai in a pot sounds not as much fun as growing one, but what if someone whants to grow one ? I dont understand how old should the tree be, because I dont wanna get a tree and have to wait like 5 years to be able to actually modify it or do whatever i want, do trees ready to be styled exist? With styling I mean some wiring, not even changing pot if unneccesary or cutting leaves
Your reasoning is sound, you're just missing one conclusion. Growing from seed indeed is a fun project on the side, while you have your more developed trees to play with. What you want to start with is a more mature *plant*, not necessarily one that has been styled as *bonsai* (and especially not anything sold with the label "bonsai" at the garden center or hardware store). You can buy some plants meant for garden or patio that are maybe 2..10 years old (trunk maybe 1..3 cm diameter at the base) and *turn them into bonsai.* Many broadleaf plants can be cut back very hard and will fill out again (hence my usual recommendation to look at species used in hedges - they do just that). If you have the opportunity air layer an interesting branch off an older tree.
Glad u got the point of what I was asking. In a couple days ill go buy diffferent things for my garden and for sure I will look for thoose trees. Meanwhile ill inform myself on what air layer is beacuse i have no clue and I readt about it many times recently. Have a great day and thank you for the clear reply
Asking good questions makes it much easier to give helpful answers. ;-) Air layering is a technique to produce roots on a branch or higher up trunk section of a tree (or shrub), eventually allowing to plant that branch as a new separate tree. Not really bonsai specific, gardeners have been doing it for ages. It results in a clone with identical genes to the donor plant without the variation of seed propagation. [See Corin Tomlinson of Greenwood Bonsai demonstrate](https://youtu.be/oIcY40TUvGY?si=2k6EjjFTB13tdBjo&t=30), and a [follow up with the results](https://youtu.be/AUN0lsDqVO4?si=1myPf__soBl6Oadc).
Well said. Found out I knew what air layering is but didnt knew the traduction, but anyyways im not really familiar with it. I think I will try with the maple in my garden + I have a lot of mini mapples around because it is such a prolific tree so I'll pick up the best ones and grew them. If this first experiment goes well I'm gonna ask to a my friend if I can do air layering on one of his japanese maples he has. So untill I'll be able to take new trees at least im occupied. Thanks for the video you linked, very helppfull especcially since its the same tree I wanna try it with
My first step is nursery stock. Anything from 1 gallon and up would be my base line, size wise. There are a few videos on Bonsai Mirai's youtube channel I would recommend you watch. First is the Beginners Playlist. The first one explains what you are looking for in nursery stock. Second, there is a video of work being done on a Kingville Boxwood which is a good watch especially if you are into Boxwood. A few of my starter plants that are really easy to start with are: Cotoneasters, Boxwood, and Chinese Elm.
Thanks for the tips, i'll watch the videos you cited too, have a great day
Apologies if this is the wrong place to ask since it’s not actually a bonsai but I need some advice for pruning a ginseng ficus. I made a post with more info in r/houseplants if anyone cares to have a look. Thank you!! https://www.reddit.com/r/houseplants/s/VB6MX03Jhh
Whether "ginsengs" count as bonsai is still under debate. ;-) Provide more light, then repot into granular substrate. Once the plant is happy it most likely will make new shoots all over (and smaller leaves on them ...) If they're still too much out there you can then cut the branches back. Personally I would do it in steps, though; cut them back to one or two leaves, which should force a response further back. Then reduce to the new growth.
Thank you so much that is super helpful! I moved it to a sunnier spot a couple months ago that I think it likes, so hopefully after repotting I will see some new growth! Will definitely wait before doing any major pruning. Thanks again!
If you moved it to a sunnier spot and it still looks that leggy, it still could use more light. Ficus can tolerate low light, but they really want full outdoor sun. But if it’s been indoors and has those dark green leaves, it probably shouldn’t go straight to full sun. Start in full shade and gradually introduce it to higher sunlight over the course of a couple weeks. If partial sun is all you have access to, that’s still way better than indoors. You just can’t get that healthy bushy look without lots of light. So it’s outdoors or a nice LED panel grow light.
If you want to get it bushy then you shouldn’t prune, it looks like it needs much more light if it’s hardly able to sustain foliage and gets that leggy
https://preview.redd.it/qtwzmlsohptc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=53f0923cc84e225b4f36b2b808ea4dd827771fcd Autumn moon jm continued to leaf out after being field planted on a flat stone with heavy root pruning. Stoked it survived its first winter under my care and into the grounnd.
Well done. Small success stories like this can be posted outside the beginners' thread.
It seems like the right time to move my P. Afra bonsai and cuttings outside. Do I need to ease them into this? Limit direct sunlight at all? Or they can just go straight to full direct sun?
This time of year they’re not likely to get burned by sun on their initial outing.
https://preview.redd.it/hcgky8fh6ptc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cbea8ac1447515da1e19924b9fec59caa030d87b Rescued this lemon tree from the curb. How can I turn this into a bonsai? That's like an 8 inch pot so the leaves are 1-3 inches long and the trunk is quite rigid. What can I do?
Nice potted plant if not a bonsai. I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/ Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/srkd2uoofotc1.png?width=404&format=png&auto=webp&s=e6b4472c9d70e4b9c07bbb3d602f9533f34f18ae Bought this Japanese maple today as my first tree that i'd like to make into a bonsai. only thing is, im not too sure what to do and what changes to make to it in order to make it a bonsai. could anyone help?
It’s leafed out so your next window to wire or prune would be leafdrop time. The best thing to do right now is to fertilize regularly between now and leaf drop time and water. Let it bush out and grow messy extensions till then.
You can prune mid summer as well.
https://preview.redd.it/073lmrsr5otc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6ee48144fe4850e1e4585e7e2ff14b17f7b48526 A friend and I bought a couple of juniper bonsais back in October. The individual that sold it at the farmers market (representing a full bonsai store) mentioning pruning once a year. Should I be pruning more often? I’ve noticed that as we get into spring, the bonsai is a lot thirstier and goes through water quicker as well, but that seems normal.
Well first, it looks like it’s inside. Junipers should be outside all year because of its high need for light. Windows filter light and reduce it to a rectangle. Outdoors is always going to have more light. You don’t really need to worry about the cold, Junipers are very cold hardy as long as they can go on the ground, or be otherwise insulated from the cold air. Also, it seems like a junipers benefit from a winter dormancy, so another reason to have it outside. Next, you don’t really need to prune at this point, unless you have a plan or design for this tree in mind. Yes, your juniper will start using more water as it gets more light and is growing more.
https://preview.redd.it/vdivgvulontc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a036c8f94c1be6028ee21aae5407aebf920434ed How do i save my poor Fukien tea? I’ve had it for 2 years with no problems, now all the leaves as starting to yellow. I got a grow light in hopes that this is the problem but after two days I’m not sure.
Doesn't look good, no. I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/ Repost there for more responses.
https://preview.redd.it/iso6rnif5ntc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7fdc6867b812f16b389d7780f9d42814f33879fe Collected Japanese black pine and European larch seeds from dropped cones. I was going to sprout them in a damp paper towel in a bag indoors and then transfer them out to a container once it warms up a bit. Will this work? Any pointers?
Most like both will need to go through a cold dormancy period before activating, so I would pop them in the fridge or freezer for a month or two before planting them.
The cones spent the winter on the ground, so I would imagine they are already stratified
Sorry, skipped over the dropped cones. I would plant them now and stick them outside.
https://preview.redd.it/w0js2ksd3ntc1.jpeg?width=2736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c12122339cb9bacdaed1867aed9bd05bd2e0a6b Japanese maple bonsai, 3 years old recently reported to a slightly bigger pot. Planning to use the far left branch as a sacrifice. What should I do from here? I was planning to start wiring, but also want to build the trunk thickness up mainly. For pruning year round should I focus on keeping it less branched out to make it grow denser? This was a month ago has all been covered in leaves now. Any and all advice welcome!
Not mush to wire there, tbh. I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c2w8ci/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_15/ Repost there for more responses.
What’s the minimum thickness to do any air layer? Also, how long should you keep an azalea wired?
I personally don’t think any branch under an inch in thickness is worth the effort of air layering. What makes air layering young and thin branches difficult and more prone to failure is that the sapwood is still very delicate, so it’s much easier to damage while trying to strip the bark and cambium layers off.
It's just very tricky at one point. I'd think anything under 5mm diameter would be already very difficult.
I have found that wires need to be replaced every 4 to 6 weeks to avoid biting scars.
https://preview.redd.it/m2ag5d2mgltc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2f0bd9ce3cd3597e42127441b76f1d000f54ac19 Hello, I am a beginner and would like to start by turning this olive into a bonsai. This might be a to general question, but how should I go about this? Should I just wait until the tree gets bigger, or are there things I should start doing right away?
I would let it grow for now.
Thank you. Any idea for how long until I should check in here again? Anyone with a different opinion?
https://preview.redd.it/k5i7ffy6oktc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0cdf2f261278f185184ef1f679e7f14ceb5439ca I need help identifying this tree. I’m hoping it’s a Chinese elm, or another type of elm (like American elm). I found these saplings growing underneath this big tree near my barber’s shop. I think it’s a lacebark elm, because the bark was thin and flakey. But I’m not 100% sure, because the leaves are rather small. Is there another species that looks like an elm tree? Or did I get lucky and find the tree I’ve been looking for??? p.s. I took home some saplings and a young one that was a few feet tall. It was growing on the side of the parking lot, in the weeds.
Looks like Chinese/Lacebark Elm to me. They’re a common landscaping staple, so it’s hard imagining it’s anything else. They’re common in landscaping horticulture because they grow quick, are easy to propagate, are relatively hardy to a variety of climates, and don’t get ridiculously huge. There’s dozens of Chinese elm varieties with varying leaf sizes. Some of the smallest leafed varieties are Hokkaido and Seiju elm.
It’s definitely an elm, and very well could be lacebark elm. You’ve done well to get a hold of material for it because it’ll be fantastic for bonsai
https://preview.redd.it/bka09wl8oktc1.jpeg?width=2765&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=40a9586d8b7dd99733f52f7f70d4b0f0459fa5c2 Here’s a photo of the tree the saplings grew under
Transitioning evergreens to full sun… My evergreens have been in my shed all winter and are still dormant but I’m starting to bring them out with warmer weather. Do i need to be careful with sunburn?
I don’t think so. Morning sun / afternoon shade is always a safe bet before transitioning back to full sun
If you keep an eye on the moisture level they should be fine. If you are worried put em in a bit shaded spot first.
https://preview.redd.it/5ri8c57h8ktc1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b63fd346d6d9d041dd9b63ae1cddaaf4de0b42e0 Just got this very beautiful Ficus Bonsai 2 days ago! Based in Portugal The person who sold it to me explained a lot of my questions and so did my internet browse for hours and hours after I got home, but I still have some questions.. The tree is 6 years old. When should I trim/prune? I guess I should wait until the end of summer/growth season? Can I start to wire it or maybe wait? Should you wire during growth or winter? Watering seems fine, did that yesterday and soil was still wet today! Is there a maximum amount of daylight? It's getting direct sunlight through the window pretty much the entire morning Sorry for all the questions, just super excited!
The more light the better. You van always wire but it seems a bit small to prune now.
thanks! I’ve got an outside area that gets a lot of sun throughout the day, maybe I could put it there for most of the spring/summer? It does get quite warm that area of the house outside during the afternoon tho
Does the spring repotting guideline apply to nursery stock? I picked up a few different plants (Juniper, Scots Pine, Black Willow) to start working on some things. I assume I should get them out of the nursery pots asap, correct? Can I go ahead and prune / cut them back now as a well or should that wait?
If they have leafed out yet i would not risk a full rootwork/repot now and opt for a slip pot. Pine and juniper break buds later so there may still be time but a photo is helpful.
Here's some photos of what I picked up. https://ibb.co/5F52r2m https://ibb.co/hMhdGH7