Recent content by SimonDuval

Peterbone, being a shade loving tree, American hornbeam just doesn't grow like that. It will have low branches for the first 5 years of its life, but the trunk will have no character. If you're looking for a trunk that has character, then it will not have low branches. It's a trade-off...

Rhamnus frangula, also known as Alder Buckthorn. Not quite as invasive as its cousin the European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), but still a non-native plant that you shouldn't let fruit. They are hard to work as bonsai as they throw these very long shoots and when you cut down to 1-2 leaves...

I'm glad to see it's working for you! Can't wait to try the seedling cutting method next year!

Put it in the ground, let it grow to 12 feet, then hack it back to 2 feet and then you'll have a beautiful pre-bonsai.

Shohin, grow beds, cuttings

But moss interferes with the control you want to have on your watering. They need water but also lots of oxygen and a bit of dryness in order to produce lots of roots. I've tried moss but always preferred to have a visual on the soil at all time. Anyway, good luck!

I know you probably have a lot of experience with collecting, but if I could give you a trick, try to plan deeper in the colander. You will find that you can get a lot of roots production from the nebari itself, and those big lateral roots too. If the nebari is exposed, or covered by a minimal...

Yes, not many people doing bonsai up here. The season is short here and everything happens so quickly. Got the trees out of the mulch Thursday, repotted about 100 trees all week-end, long hours but so much fun! I started collecting yesterday, did some more today and it looks like it'll be over...

I just got mine out of the mulch today, didn't look like I lost any besides those chinese elms seedlings, onto repotting season quickly so I can start to yamadori soon!

They have no fall colours, the leaves just die green. And please please please, DO NO LET THEM FRUIT. This is a highly invasive species.

Seriously mate, a picture is worth a thousand words ;)

What kind of ball, a baseball, a football?

I agree with Brian, definitely looks like buckthorn!! Will not make good bonsai but at least you killed an invasive tree! ;)

Leaf size and shape is an issue if you want your forest to be convincing..., no matter how big or small you want the end product, go for the species with small leaves