ID crisis

[ynot]

I did

Ok, Did you notice that every single image of Broom style bonsai that you saw had a trunk that was absolutely straight and almost dead on 90 degrees wrt being vertical.
[This is an aspect of the style.]
Your trunk is not, It is both slanted and curved.

I went with the broom option because of the basic shape the tree already has also

[See my comment earlier about 'misconception']
Taking that approach severely limits your options. In fact I would say in this case you are limiting yourself to mistakes someone else made.
Very little progress is made via that policy.

I am a bit worried about jumping into wiring, I have been reading a few books and they said that now or in spring is the best time to do that.
I guess I am just worried about breaking a branch

It is an indoor tree- No seasonal requirements for it, Wiring is somethng you would not require for a while any way. This needs pruning, And that Is Going to break a few branches. You can clip-n-grow for a while though.

Actually if you had a plan for it you could be pruning it right now as the new growth buds are opening [or are open- getting late.]

Waiting means that the time and resources your tree is currently putting into growth will just be pruned away later.

By pruning now the tree uses those same resources to put on growth only in the areas you want [What you left to grow on after the pruning.] The end result is more directed growth right where you want it in the same amount of time, with the same resources from the tree.

Anyway don't worry so much about wiring. At this point it only has to be effective not pretty [It's not like your prepping for a show.]

It's your tree but IMO I honestly think broom is not the best route for this tree. I just don't see the tree in there as broom.
Your mileage may vary,
ynot

[mamfle]

if because it's an indoor tree it has no seasonal requirements, is it possible to change to soil sooner rather then later?

before I start any pruning of any sort I will have a good look at different informal bonsai's and start a plan of action.

thanks for all your help so far and thank you in advance for your help in the future

[ynot]

if because it's an indoor tree it has no seasonal requirements, is it possible to change to soil sooner rather then later?

Yes that is entirely possible,
EDIT: I had completely forgotten that this tree was recovering and not in the best of health when I replied yes here.
The fact is I would have given a different answer, Later in this thread I do realize it and change my mind.
Is it potbound completely? -Important to know

Fukiens are not as tough as ficus [WRT rootwork] so I would be cautious about it unless absolutley required. Let us know about the state your soil/roots are in. Didn't look so good in the picture, But is it rootbound? That is the question

before I start any pruning of any sort I will have a good look at different informal bonsai's and start a plan of action.

thanks for all your help so far and thank you in advance for your help in the future

Do reread the care sheet in the species guide at bonsai4me for your tree, There is really not much need to wire it. Also review the conditions it enjoys also. always good to refresh on those things.

Your very welcome.
ynot [img]https://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1939/u4jchinaec9.gif[/img]

[mamfle]

Right well I have checked the roots and they are not completly rootbound but they are not far from it either. I will et it re-potted at the weekend, I am missing a few surplies (most of everything to be exact lol)

I will revise prunning and the care sheet in the time being ani will get more pictures done after the re-potting

[ynot]

Right well I have checked the roots and they are not completly rootbound but they are not far from it either. I will et it re-potted at the weekend, I am missing a few surplies (most of everything to be exact lol)

I will revise prunning and the care sheet in the time being ani will get more pictures done after the re-potting

If it is not potbound then you have no emergency, Don't stress the tree if not needed, Or at least take pictures so we can see your definition of 'not far'
Does the rootmass take the shape and form of the inside of the pot? A solid mass of roots?

A bit like this :

[img]https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6239/rootboundtc4.jpg[/img]

If not it is not pot bound and do not repot.

ynot

[mamfle]

ok I don't know how but I managed to get a picture of the root system
[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=972[/url]

as you can see, it's not competly root bound but not far from it. either that or my opinion of root bound is way off

[ynot]

ok I don't know how but I managed to get a picture of the root system
[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=972[/url]

as you can see, it's not competly root bound but not far from it. either that or my opinion of root bound is way off

Your right on, It still looks to have some soil in the mass there but it is on it's way.

Tell you what, Do a bit of reading in the soil/repotting/rootpruning sticky and the links within and let me know how confident you feel about it.

You don't have an emergency there and I hesiate to stress your tree while it is just now recovering... + I do NOT have a fukien so I am hesitant to tell you to go ahead...{I want no blood on my hands }

I understand you want to dig in but it may be better to wait. I wouldn't want to risk it considering the health of the tree is not spectacular at the moment.
I have a another idea, But it will wait for now.
Read up in those stickys ok?
ynot

[mamfle]

I will read up on them thisafternoon and let you know.

Your are right, I am eger to get my hands dirty so to speak but I will not risk the helth of an already sick tree. whatever desion I come to it will be what is best for the Fukien

[ynot]

I will read up on them thisafternoon and let you know.

Your are right, I am eger to get my hands dirty so to speak but I will not risk the helth of an already sick tree. whatever desion I come to it will be what is best for the Fukien

Repotting a sick tree is an 'in an emergency only' type situations, Which we don't have here.

In my reply above wrt repotting, I had forgotten that this was a sick 'rescue' tree that was gifted to you. I am sorry about that.

I have edited my post to relfect that oversight on my part.

ynot

[mamfle]

new pictures of my bonsai are below, going to repot it this weekend, I am happy that it is well enough for the op

[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=985[/url]
[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=986[/url]
[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=987[/url]
[url]https://www.buffyuk.org/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=988[/url]

[ynot]

Mamfle,

Sorry, Again, {I at least} Can't see them here either.

ynot

[mamfle]

yeah sorry, it's my fualt

how about these then?
[img]https://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t297/mamfle/DSCN0219.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t297/mamfle/DSCN0220.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t297/mamfle/DSCN0221.jpg[/img]

(crosses fingers)

[ynot]

Yep,

That works although the pic size is massive .

I am glad to see it recovered some, It is even showing a flower for the pic..lol. Wait until it is in proper soil and it will go crazy .

FYI-It would have smaller leaves on it if you got it into a brighter spot.

Good luck with your repot, You have proper soil for it I take it?

ynot

[mamfle]

yeah sorry about that, finding the new laptop kinda hard to get my head around.

Yeah got soil well it's more like a gravel mixture for it last year from greendragon bonsai