What's a Good Bonsai to Start With?

[bonsaiboy]

Not unless its a specialty nursurey do they usualy have ficus bonsais. Try looking online, such as a google search. But, the problem with purchasing online is that you don't know what the tree will look like. Usualy when they show you a picture, the tree you get isn't as good as the one in the picture. The only way you can be sure is to by the tree from a small nursurey, not a mass production factory (thats where places like wal-mart get theirs). This methode is somewhat more satisfactory.
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הדמיון הוא יותר חשוב מאשר ידע

[MOX13]

so the last week has been just on the outside of horrible for me (many things breaking down, including my car, and leaving me scrambling). So my quest for bonsai has been put to a halt.......

however, last night, I was trying to recoup from another stressful day and happened across my favorite kill time site, ebay. I plugged in the first calming thought I could think of in my head, and within five minutes I had purchased a 3 year old japanese maple tree! I have no idea what it will look like, if it will even be bonsai material yet, but we'll see! Im just excited to finally start this hobby...... I need something to distract me right now haha

Anywho, I'll be posting for people to follow along with

[MOX13]

Alright people! I just got my japanese red maple tree in the mail and now im needing some guidance

It looks to be pretty healthy, but it also is quite tall. Not sure how to deal with that when making a bonsai tree, but im betting we can make it work. Its approx 3 years old and seems to be recovering nicely from shipping.

Here are some pictures.....








So, any tips on how to get this guy started? I really want to a root over rock bonsai, so im looking for a rock to start that off with. I need to pot it soon too im assuming. Lemme know what you all think!

[kdodds]

You'll probably want to chop around the third or fourth branch and use a taller planting vessel, something like a 2 liter soda bottle. Plant the tree roots secured to the rock, and gradually "peel" away the pot.

[MOX13]

Thats kind of what I was thinking, but will the tree be able to survive such a dramatic cut? My interpretation of that is the little tiny branches, is that correct in what you are thinking? Im a little nervous to make a big cut, and Im not sure how it will look as it heals also.......

Im not too worried about the root-over-rock part, as that seems pretty straight forward to me. The trimming down to bonsai size is the risky part to me....

[kdodds]

The thing is that the upper foliage is going to grow most readily/quickly if you do not perform the cut. While maples do back bud, you already some decent lower growth that would be, IMO, a shame to lose. Eventually, the cut will need to be made, and better now, while there is healthy growth already existing lower on the trunk, then later when there might not be. Maybe I'm misunderstanding. Is it your intention to keep the tree at its full height? If so, you're going to need a HUGE rock and a HUGE pot for teh eventual finished product. And, that finished product will not be "ready" for at least a couple of decades.

[MOX13]

hahaha, oh no, I def want it to be much smaller.... I was just making sure that cutting it back that much is going to be okay to do without killing the tree

Now, do I pot this little guy first, or should I trim it and then pot it?

Whats the best way to cut that main trunk so it doesnt leave an ugly scar? I want to cut it at an angle to one of the smaller branches that I want to become the eventual top of the tree right?

[Gnome]

MOX13,

[MOX13]

hmmm, you bring up a good point norm...... I probably don't want to repot the tree now that it has leaves already. :/ see, I really would like to get its roots wrapped around a rock to get that part of the procedure going because it will take awhile for that to set correctly. So is it a really bad idea to do it now, or will it just hinder the growth of the tree for a while?

Im not too concerned about cutting this tree yet, as I think it looks kinda cool as it is for now, so I am not opposed to letting it just grow for a year or two. However I would like to get the root-over-rock part going now. Any thoughts on that?

[Rosaelyn]

I realize that this post is several months old. But what happened with your maple, Mox? Did you repot it? Did you find a rock and start shaping it? Did you chop the top off?

This inquiring mind wants to know.
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Rosaelyn @}>---'---,---

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees. ~ Hal Borland

[MOX13]

Ah, hahaha, thanks for inquiring

it was going good actually for quite some time........ i planted it over a nice rock, with the roots around the rock wrapped in saranwrap. The root system wasnt quite as long as I wanted it, so it struggled for the first few weeks with the restriction on the root system, but came through nicely afterward....

then came the moving......

I moved twice within 4 months, and I think the shock of moving and having inconsistent watering schedule (had to leave the plant with my parents for a while) didnt help out its health. Once I finally made it to my final desitination for a while, it slowly degraded and withered away. Now, the dead twig sits outside on my porch to remind me that i failed and need to restart it again sometime.

thanks for asking tho! hopefully I'll get something up and running again soon so you all can follow along!

[Rosaelyn]

Well, I hope once you get yourself a lil more settled, you are able to start your tree once more.
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Rosaelyn @}>---'---,---

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees. ~ Hal Borland