Recent content by chrisbotero

A year and a half later and this is what we have. I had done some minor wiring and trimming last year, but today I spent about 8 hours thinning and wiring this guy. Looking back at the pictures Im really amazed at just how much this guy has grown. I must have removed at least half of the...

You can air layer shishigashira relatively easy. I did one two years ago and I had no problem. It was grafted stock and about 1/2 inch diameter. That would be another option for you. They do grow incredibly slow!

Both of these trees are alive and well with big roots growing out of the bottoms of the boxes. I might begin some styling in the near future but it will be minimal. I want to get a really nice root base established before I mess with them too much. Ill post a few pics when they begin their...

I layered one last season (was grafted and look bad) without any issue. I used a decent sized cup filled with a well-draining bonsai soil (Boon mix), covered it with moss and watered normally. I separated about 3-4 months after starting. Rooting hormone as well.

Good news on these trees...I did a little digging around in the pumice and we have good root growth on both with a little more on the bigger tree (first pics). I took that one out of the mist and he is beginning to push a second growth. Im still keeping a close eye but it appears they will...

FYI, I was up on Hood yesterday we are already too late this year. Buds were already fully opened and needles were extending. I dont want to spoil anyone's fun but it would be better to wait until late fall when dormancy hits to actually collect anything up there. This time of year you will...

Man, total brain-fart last night when I was posting these. Of course they are quaking aspen! I guess that's what happens when I stare at the computer too long during a day. Let me fix the title of this to Nifty Twisty Aspen. Thanks for the heads-up, chansen.

We collected these from about 8000 feet. In fact it was close to a ski resort and the road just up from these trees was still snowed over. You are right Jason, the real test will be to see if they push enough root this summer to sustain them. I have a greenhouse to keep them through the...

And birch #2...

Two Nifty Twisty Collected QUAKING ASPEN Went on a collecting trip this past weekend and thought I would show off a little:). We found about 5 acres of these twisty guys and collected a few. Potted up in 100% pumice and under mist for the moment but they are already showing signs of waking...

Manny, how aggressive have you been with removing old soil, root prooning, etc? I have a big boy I collected last spring that is sitting in a box in mountain soil surrounded by pumice and I will probably start removing native soil this fall or next spring depending on root growth. I agree...

I just read a little snip-it in Bonsai Today about this and it said you can pinch back the growth to balance energy thus growing out the buds you want (ie. closer to the trunk). I dont think hemlock will produce a second flush of growth in the same year if you remove all of the new growth after...

I should also say that I agree with shading them for a while and after several months slowly introducing them to the sun. If you can set up some sort of misting system that will greatly improve your odds as well.

I think it was a good choice to put them in a pot as well although I have had good success with other species by simply sticking them in the grow bed after collection and leaving them alone for a year or two. I have to agree with Brian on the collecting areas. I know these babies get...

Hey Dr. What elevation did you collect these? Are the buds swelling at all? Im planning a trip for early June and was curious about the stage of the trees at this point. Good work with these trees. Ive heard pondys like dry-ish soil (100% pumice for newly collected) so I would assume...