Attmos
Chumono
My local nursery is selling Norway Spruce, about 14-18 inches tall (I think), for $29.99. I've already expressed my interest in tiny bonsai, but are these large enough to start with for a larger size bonsai?
Norway Spruce
- Thread starter Attmos
- Start date
Attmos
Chumono
Ok... well, I guess I'll just wing it. I wanna start learning to style a tree on something that doesn't cost much because I'm sure the first time won't go well, lol.
These are small but... why not for $30
These are small but... why not for $30
All my trees so far are cheap stock and smaller yarda-/yamadori for this reason. Let’s figure out how to make trees thrive before risking the mortgage imoOk... well, I guess I'll just wing it. I wanna start learning to style a tree on something that doesn't cost much because I'm sure the first time won't go well, lol.
These are small but... why not for $30
Attmos
Chumono
Exactly.
So I actually ended up buying an Alberta Spruce instead. We'll see how it goes.
Wulfskaar
Masterpiece
Man, I would have gone for a Norway spruce. I can't find them here.
Attmos
Chumono
The Alberta was $10. lol
I didn't buy the Norway, which looked really healthy, because I spent my money on a Golden Mop False Cypress (Chamaecyparis Pis). I'll post some pictures here in the next day or two.
As soon as I got home I said "jesus... I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew!".
Attmos
Chumono
That's weird... at least, it sounds weird to me.
Attmos
Chumono
Hey... check this out. The Nursery sign said Albert. I guess I got a Norway for ten bucks.
It's small.
Attachments
potatofarmer
Mame
Attmos
Chumono
If you want some, I can try to send them to you. These are, as I said, small. Half-inch or maybe three-quarter inch trunk and only about 18' from bottom of pot to tip of tree.
There's a fall sale right now and they have tons in stock. Kind of a ridiculous offer but what the hell. lol
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potatofarmer
Mame
potatofarmer
Mame
the problem is your nursery stock is very straight up and down. but i hear it is possible to bend them with a very heavy thick wire.
i have not bothered with mine. i will most likely leave them as is. the wire will probably cost more than the trees.
i have not bothered with mine. i will most likely leave them as is. the wire will probably cost more than the trees.
Attmos
Chumono
It doesn't show in the picture I put up, but I chose this one because out of them all... the base of the trunk has a little movement and there are a few very low branches to work with.
Attmos
Chumono
Actually, I welcome your zeal. No worries.
Wulfskaar
Masterpiece
I really appreciate that but to be honest, I have enough right now. I need to worry about getting some pots and soil for spring instead of getting more trees.
Attmos
Chumono
Have you had a problems with die back due to pruning? I'm trying to figure out how much I can cut back in one year, I'm a little afraid of doing a hard chop.
BobbyLane
Imperial Masterpiece
potatofarmer
Mame
yea this one is looking a little stressed now. some needles are turning brown randomly. i guess it didn't like losing all of those huge branches.
spruce are a pain in the ass i'm not going to lie. mine are growing slowly, they seem to get stressed easily and they are basically impossible to wire without cutting off needles first. wiring ontop of needles is a nightmare i wont even attempt.
Attachments
Attmos
Chumono
As I was looking at mine to decide what to do with it... those were things that went through my head. Also I did a little reading and what I gather is that large changes to the structure of the tree need to be done in stages, once every year or two.
Oh well. Thanks for letting me know.
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Wulfskaar
Masterpiece
This is my strategy with my DAS. The branches are too long, so I'm attempting to push them back over several years of pinching new growth to encourage older buds to activate. I've been working on my Italian Stone Pine very slowly, allowing a full year or so after any major work. It's taking a long time but my vision is starting to materialize. Some species just require a ton of patience and following a long term plan.
