I got this giant Shishi last fall from a nursery and will begin the bonsai process this spring. I intend to first repot this tree from its 20 gallon nursery pot into a 20X20X3.5" grow box. I suspect the nursery pot is jam packed with roots and assume I will be doing some serious root pruning. Any issue taking off a serious amount of roots, likely more than 75%? Also, the tree is about 5 feet tall. Should I prune the branches back as well before the root work (alternatively, take cuttings)?
My anticipated schedule for this tree is as follows:
Spring 2022 - Repot into grow box/locate graft line.
2023 - Take some air layers, including from the larger almost 2" branches.
2024 - Ground layer and ultimately cut trunks down to begin growing the main bonsai from this tree (red bonsai below is my inspiration, not my tree). I may push this another year depending on what the air layer situation is.
I'd like to have a few layers for me and my sons and potentially some more to trade for other material, so I may push the severe trunk chops out a year or so.
My anticipated schedule for this tree is as follows:
Spring 2022 - Repot into grow box/locate graft line.
2023 - Take some air layers, including from the larger almost 2" branches.
2024 - Ground layer and ultimately cut trunks down to begin growing the main bonsai from this tree (red bonsai below is my inspiration, not my tree). I may push this another year depending on what the air layer situation is.
I'd like to have a few layers for me and my sons and potentially some more to trade for other material, so I may push the severe trunk chops out a year or so.