Looking for a little Direction.

[BigDaddyBonsai]

Ok, I have a small rosemary cutting that I would eventually like to make into Bonsai here it is.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img458.imageshack.us/img458/4661/bonsairosemarystart1ei2.jpg[/img][/url]
As you can see, I still have it in a training pot. And thats where I'm at. My main question is where to go next with this? If anything. Suggestions?

Next, I have a "X-mas Pine" I bought from a store. It was labled Bonsai, but about the only thing I saw bonsai about it was the pot its in. So I decided to rescue it. Here it is.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img380.imageshack.us/img380/7821/bonsaixmastree3yx6.jpg[/img][/url]
This is what it looked like when I bought it. Its been a few months and this is what it looks like now.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4357/bonsaixmastree4wc9.jpg[/img][/url]
It seems to be growing backwards I don't know where to go with this one either. The base is dying off and dropping and the top is getting fat. I'm sure there's something I'm not doing. Help Please

[ynot]

Ok, I have a small rosemary cutting that I would eventually like to make into Bonsai here it is.
As you can see, I still have it in a training pot. And thats where I'm at. My main question is where to go next with this? If anything. Suggestions?

Hey BDB,
Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow- Unless you need a bit to cook with . the training pot is good to let it fatten up for a while. Just let it grow man .
If you want some more stuff to play with consider nursery shopping for some potensai.

Next, I have a "X-mas Pine" I bought from a store. It was labled Bonsai, but about the only thing I saw bonsai about it was the pot its in. So I decided to rescue it. Here it is.
This is what it looked like when I bought it. Its been a few months and this is what it looks like now.
It seems to be growing backwards I don't know where to go with this one either. The base is dying off and dropping and the top is getting fat. I'm sure there's something I'm not doing. Help Please

I am guessing this is what is often termed a [url=https://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=norfolk+island+pine&btnG=Search+Images]"Norfolk Island Pine" See the images here[/url] though it is a tropical, Not a pine..lol.

They are not to suited for bonsai as you may have noticed as it is nearly impossible to get a branch to backbud or thicken. Again, I would suggest a shopping trip to find some suitable stock to play with .

ynot

[BigDaddyBonsai]

They are not to suited for bonsai as you may have noticed as it is nearly impossible to get a branch to backbud or thicken.

ynot,

Thanks for the quick response.
Yeah, I did notice. Thats why I thought it was so strange it was sold like that. And if its not a good tree for bonsai, what do you suggest I do with it?
And as far as the "Norfolk Island Pine" the pictures on the link you gave looked pretty close... I've been trying to I.D. It since I bought it, and as far as I was able to tell there's no such thing as a "X-mas Pine" Which is what it was tagged as. But its hard to tell with a seedling.

And as for the rosemary I'll do just that. When should I start the bonsai process, what should I look for? I'm still new to this stage of growth.

[ynot]

BDB,

Your welcome
Google image search under Araucaria heterophylla [perhaps use 'foliage' also to get a better view.] and see if that matches your "NI Pine".

And as for the rosemary I'll do just that. When should I start the bonsai process, what should I look for? I'm still new to this stage of growth.

When? Depends on where you want to take it, Some of the links will address this also [To some degree].

Some of these articles may not entirely apply But they will get you on the path my man. You may also want to check out the home pages of both of these sites as there is an absolute wealth of info that will beneficial to you and your future bonsai. .

https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics%20Bonsai%20Continual%20trimming.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/growfast.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/growprin.htm

I have never had a rosemary so I have no direct experience to offer you, I know Gnome has found them challenging and [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4451]here[/url] is another thread about them.

Good luck

ynot

[BigDaddyBonsai]

ynot,

Thanks for all the help, the links you showed me are probably as good as it gets. Although I did look into the "NI Pine" and determined that my tree isn't. I actually took a walk with my daughter last night and noticed a few of my neighbors have the "NI Pine" in thier yards. Definately a little different than mine. They have long, rather tough shoots. Where mine bushes out with very soft delicate shoots. So I'm still at a miss with this one. Here is a close up of mine maybe it will help.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img481.imageshack.us/img481/5324/bonsaixmastree2closeup2yg3.jpg[/img][/url]
And Here's the "NI Pine"
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8371/heterophylla7le8.jpg[/img][/url]
I'll admit a little simalar, but mine doesn't grow such long shoots. And not so uniform.

I did however take some drastic measures with mine this morning.
Here's what its looking like now.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2857/bonsaixmastree5oj0.jpg[/img][/url]
I figured it was cheap enough, so I thought ynot?
What do you think?

[ynot]

BDB,


[I am embarrassed to say I just now noticed that your in Hawaii...]

I am glad you checked that out

Researchers are a rare breed indeed.

Oh I understand the 'ynot principle' D:.

I am at a loss BDB wrt ID, Sorry.

Are you looking to wire the 'branches' down a bit also to make it look older?
A bigger pot would help it increase in size. [Girth- I mean, But you would also have to give up pruning it.]

ynot

[BigDaddyBonsai]

Just wanted to show a little before and after.
1.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5448/bonsaixmastree4ui2.jpg[/img][/url]
2. My first pruning attempt. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1804/bonsaixmastree5wt3.jpg[/img][/url]
3. My first wiring attempt, thanks to some helpful advice.
[url=https://imageshack.us][img]https://img460.imageshack.us/img460/5894/bonsaixmastree6sc7.jpg[/img][/url]

Thanks for the tips ynot.

LOOK OUT MR. MIAGI!!!