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What's a Good Bonsai to Start With?

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bonsaiboy
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Joined: 10 Feb 2007
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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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MOX13
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Joined: 10 Mar 2009
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Location: Yakima, WA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Wink
 


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MOX13
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Location: Yakima, WA

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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

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!
 


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kdodds
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Joined: 07 Mar 2008
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Location: Suffern, NY

PostPosted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
 


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MOX13
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Location: Yakima, WA

PostPosted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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....
 


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kdodds
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
 


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MOX13
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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 Wink

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?
 


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Gnome
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

MOX13,

Quote:
I need to pot it soon too im assuming. Lemme know what you all think!
I think that since it is already in leaf you would be better off not potting it this year. If you are concerned about the pot being too small or mangled the way it is I suggest what is commonly referred to as a 'slip pot'

This is when you simply slip the tree from its previous pot and then place it in a slightly larger one and back fill as necessary. If it is rootbound you could loosen the roots a bit but now is not the right time of year for extensive root work, you just missed it.

Whether or not to chop it this year would depend upon what you're trying to achieve. If you want a larger trunk then I think I would hold off on any pruning for several years. Maples will back bud readily so that is not a concern.

If, however, you would like a more feminine tree and are anxious to get started (I've jumped the gun more than a few times) then you could begin the process this year. It's up to you and dependent upon your goals for this particular tree.

Norm
 


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MOX13
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
 


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Rosaelyn
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Joined: 11 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I realize that this post is several months old. Wink 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. Smile
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MOX13
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, hahaha, thanks for inquiring Smile

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!
 


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Rosaelyn
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, I hope once you get yourself a lil more settled, you are able to start your tree once more. Smile
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If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees. ~ Hal Borland
 


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