Hi,
I purchased two Bonsai at an estate sale (Salem, OR) over the weekend and would appreciate some help identifying them. Also, I have some specific questions about pruning/re-potting them. I am new to Bonsai and only have a limited background knowledge from what I have read.
- what is the best way/time to prune these Bonsai?
- they are currently in normal garden pots, the soil looks fairly dense and I am not sure how well it drains. Should I repot them in the same pots, move them to a bonsai pot, or leave them alone? If I repot, how much root should I trim off?
- Can I trim roots and prune around the same time or will both be too hard on the Bonsai?
- There is currently wire on the conifer, and I have no idea how long it has been on. How can I tell if it has done it's job and is ready to come off?
-The conifer is putting out new growth, but I have noticed that there is also brown needles underneath the current green ones. IS this normal, or a sign of trouble?
Any help would be appreciated. I can add more photos if needed. Thanks!
[img]https://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/heather7257/SDC11319.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/heather7257/SDC11318.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/heather7257/SDC11317.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/heather7257/SDC11307.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i901.photobucket.com/albums/ac218/heather7257/SDC11313.jpg[/img]
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heather7257
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- Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:53 pm
- Location: Salem. OR
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
heather7257,
Hello and welcome to the forum. I've been trying all afternoon to formulate a meaningful response for you but I find I am coming up short. Without foliage identifying the deciduous tree is going to be difficult. Also, I find myself unable to ID the conifer, sorry. Hopefully someone else will do better.
I don't think I would be too anxious to have them in bonsai pots. Consider these stock, material that is still in need of training. In order to re-pot you should have some idea about what constitutes a proper bonsai soil. Have a look at [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422]this[/url] in order to begin understanding this.
Often shallow boxes or other containers are used for training purposes and that might be a good first step. Other than that until you have a positive ID and some idea of where you want to go with these you won't go wrong simply growing them on for another year. This will give you some time to get used to them and to begin to formulate a plan of action.
I'm sorry that I have not been able to offer more bu that's the best I can do at the moment. Does anyone else have any thoughts?
Norm
Hello and welcome to the forum. I've been trying all afternoon to formulate a meaningful response for you but I find I am coming up short. Without foliage identifying the deciduous tree is going to be difficult. Also, I find myself unable to ID the conifer, sorry. Hopefully someone else will do better.
I don't think I would be too anxious to have them in bonsai pots. Consider these stock, material that is still in need of training. In order to re-pot you should have some idea about what constitutes a proper bonsai soil. Have a look at [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3422]this[/url] in order to begin understanding this.
Often shallow boxes or other containers are used for training purposes and that might be a good first step. Other than that until you have a positive ID and some idea of where you want to go with these you won't go wrong simply growing them on for another year. This will give you some time to get used to them and to begin to formulate a plan of action.
I'm sorry that I have not been able to offer more bu that's the best I can do at the moment. Does anyone else have any thoughts?
Norm
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heather7257
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:53 pm
- Location: Salem. OR
Thank you for the tips! It is good to know that if I just let them be for a season I won't ruin their shape or anything. I will also look into training pots and a suitable soil. I am wondering if the deciduous bonsai might be a maple of some sorts does that seem plausible? Thanks again for your advice, it is much appreciated! 
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Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
heather7257,
For now lets concentrate on the deciduous tree. I don't think it is a Maple, Maples have their bud/leaves oriented in pairs, a left and right set or, in other words, opposite of each other. Contrast this to say an Elm which has its leaves arranged in an alternating fashion, left then right, then left again. You are in a better position to judge their position than I.
If you were to evaluate the pot/roots do you feel that it has been re-potted last year or has more time elapsed? I know this may not be easy to determine but give it a shot. Slip the tree from the pot and have a look. Is the pot colonized with roots and does the root-ball retain its shape?
The time for re-potting is rapidly approaching if you feel that the tree would benefit from it. As I mentioned, a good soil and a shallower training pot would be needed if you end up doing so.
On the other hand, if you are not comfortable considering this, you could likely leave it for another year. Have a look at the roots and let us know what you find.
Norm
For now lets concentrate on the deciduous tree. I don't think it is a Maple, Maples have their bud/leaves oriented in pairs, a left and right set or, in other words, opposite of each other. Contrast this to say an Elm which has its leaves arranged in an alternating fashion, left then right, then left again. You are in a better position to judge their position than I.
If you were to evaluate the pot/roots do you feel that it has been re-potted last year or has more time elapsed? I know this may not be easy to determine but give it a shot. Slip the tree from the pot and have a look. Is the pot colonized with roots and does the root-ball retain its shape?
The time for re-potting is rapidly approaching if you feel that the tree would benefit from it. As I mentioned, a good soil and a shallower training pot would be needed if you end up doing so.
On the other hand, if you are not comfortable considering this, you could likely leave it for another year. Have a look at the roots and let us know what you find.
Norm