What to do with my new Larch?

Fonz

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Since this is my first spring in bonsai I have got a lot to learn.
I bought this young Larch at the Noelanders Trophy last week. I want to let the trunk grow a little bit bigger. Can I do this by repotting this tree in a bigger training pot (let’s say 14") or is ground growing my only option?
And should I start wiring already or wait until next year?
P1040791.JPG
 

Paulpash

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Before you do anything I'd keep this in a colander or pond basket for a few years and work the nebari - already it's a bit lopsided as a sapling. Once you're happy with the nebari then you can put it in the ground - I'd board it before you do so. While you're doing this can you use some heavy gauge wire and get some better trunk movement?

Larch are built from the bottom up - it's VERY important the upper branches don't shade out the lower ones. "NO BUD - NO BRANCH" is a great quote from a Larch shohin specialist called Arihato that sadly passed a few years ago. Keep the bottom branch viable and you can cut back to it later for taper and movement.
 
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Potawatomi13

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Since this is my first spring in bonsai I have got a lot to learn.

I bought this young Larch at the Noelanders Trophy last week. I want to let the trunk grow a little bit bigger. Can I do this by repotting this tree in a bigger training pot (let’s say 14") or is ground growing my only option?

And should I start wiring already or wait until next year?

View attachment 177712

Big growing pot is better idea but could ground grow instead;). Without cutting too much for health would abbreviate any tap roots. Connect self to local Bonsai Club for free help.
 
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sorce

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Nice grab. There's a lot of particulars Larch folk know better...

But don't wire it yet...
As Marie says, you gotta do a bit of root work, find where thats going, and get a "front" to begin a design for in the future.

But say too....what if the o_O roots never bring you satisfaction as a solo specimen...
But you find a killer deal on 10 more this summer.....
You may end up sticking this amidst a forest....
Where it's position there may determine styling...

Best to keep options open, and safe...
Practicing PPB!

Keeping potential problems at bay!

#creativeuseofbwangwangroots!

Sorce
 

Fonz

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How did you proceed with this larch fonz?
I think it died, al it's needles fell off in the last couple of weeks...

Ok I'm killing myself… will post a pic tomorrow. Think it's doing ok. I repotted it, changed it's angel and pruned it a bit over the year.
 

leatherback

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I think it died, al it's needles fell off in the last couple of weeks...
I have heard some larch may recover from this. I think some people have larch come back to life in spring. Maybe keep it in a corner of the yard till spring and see whether it recovers?
 

Fonz

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For the record: the dying part was a joke, not a good one obviously…
Ok, tomorrow came faster than I expected. Here's a pic of how it looks now after autumn kicked in:

20181120_201456.jpg
 

leatherback

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Lol
Joke is on you I think. Both Dennis and I understood you perfectly!

Looks like you forgot to wire your larch. Time to get busy mate!
 

LanceMac10

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I think it died, al it's needles fell off in the last couple of weeks...

Ok I'm killing myself… will post a pic tomorrow. Think it's doing ok. I repotted it, changed it's angel and pruned it a bit over the year.





?...…..Larch needles yellow and fall this time of year.....is this what your seeing?:confused:
 

defra

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Whaat my days take forever haha
i like the new planting angle and agree with jelle about the wireing ;)

To clearify this to people who actualy dont know....
we all were joking
larch does drop its needles in fall its a normal thing ?
 

leatherback

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Just keep in mind, in case you did not know.. Larch barly (actually, does not) backbud. So make sure you always keep living buds near the trunk
 

leatherback

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:)
Guess I am a rascal. I will wire mine over the next weeks probably. This weekend the first 2 larch dropped their needles, and are now bare.
 

WNC Bonsai

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All 10 of mine are still a nice yellow or yellow/green color. I just gave them a good watering as they were starting to dry out under the leaf mulch I piled on top of them. I need to find a sunny spot in the front yard where I can ground grow them a couple years to fatten them up, even though they are destined for a forest.

When boarding them in the ground doesn’t that make them all the more susceptible to drying out? I mean how deep do you plant them and the board? I may just end up using a shallow tray with my sandy bonsai mix and the trees spaced out to give them plenty of room to grow. This year I planted them in 4” tall pots after they arrived in their original little plastic plugs. I have read that they will grow very fast if not crowded into a bonsai pot.
 

defra

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I guess im a rascal too
I wired the one i have two times and each time it was in the winter around januari way before bud break no problems experienced :)
You will be amazed how flexibel larch branches are !
 
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