Ginkgo

Bonsaipadawan

Bonsaipadawan

Yamadori
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Location
NYC
USDA Zone
7b
Hello everybody I am new to this community. I have been into bonsai for a little over a year I recently bought a nursery ginkgo tree it's about 3 to 4 feet tall I live in nyc growing zone 7b. I have some plans for the tree and will attach a photo. I would appreciate advice on my plans for the tree and ideas for it's future.

I am thinking next spring later in the season or early summer I can do some air layering on the tree for bonsai and then eventually the following year or so do a trunk chop.

Also the tree arrived in a burlap sack, should I up pot it as well as what type of soil composition should I use for it.
 

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Your first goal is to keep the tree healthy and get it through the winter.

So… you do have to put the tree in something and winter it over soon. In that case I’d just match the soil and put the tree in a pot that will include all the soil. That will keep it stable.

Early spring change the soil to a Bonsai media. When you are sure the tree is healthy, decide your next steps.

Be patient.

Good Luck
DSD sends
 
Hard to believe your growers still use B&B (ball and burlap) over there. That disappeared over here around 40 years ago.

The great thing about ginkgo is they are very resilient. You could probably just put the burlap ball in a pot for support, add extra potting soil if required and it would be happy until spring repot time. If you can transfer the root ball and soil without the burlap even better but ginkgo don't seem to have extensive roots so the soil will probably just fall off during transfer. Even then the tree will probably keep growing. Just do your best to get it into some sort of pot to support the trunk for the rest of the season.
Way back in the distant past I have seen trees just left in the burlap. It will probably rot away pretty quick which will make moving it hard and you would need to water more often as evaporation from all sides increases water requirements but with care it should survive for a few months just as it is.
You have not given a location so not sure if the tree will need winter protection or if it can stay outdoors through winter. So many things in bonsai depend on location. It is very useful to add a town or region to your profile so others can give better advice to suit your area.

Ginkgo strike quite easily from cuttings so I would not bother with a layer, just stick anything you prune off in as cuttings but if you think layering would be better go ahead with that method. Both should work but you'll only get 1 extra tree with layering and potentially lots from cuttings.

I hope you realize the long term project you have set yourself. Ginkgo are lovely trees and make good bonsai but are one of the slowest trees to grow and develop branching. Expect at least 15 years and probably closer to 30 to grow a good ginkgo bonsai.
 
Shibui said:
Hard to believe your growers still use B&B (ball and burlap) over there. That disappeared over here around 40 years ago.

The great thing about ginkgo is they are very resilient. You could probably just put the burlap ball in a pot for support, add extra potting soil if required and it would be happy until spring repot time. If you can transfer the root ball and soil without the burlap even better but ginkgo don't seem to have extensive roots so the soil will probably just fall off during transfer. Even then the tree will probably keep growing. Just do your best to get it into some sort of pot to support the trunk for the rest of the season.
Way back in the distant past I have seen trees just left in the burlap. It will probably rot away pretty quick which will make moving it hard and you would need to water more often as evaporation from all sides increases water requirements but with care it should survive for a few months just as it is.
You have not given a location so not sure if the tree will need winter protection or if it can stay outdoors through winter. So many things in bonsai depend on location. It is very useful to add a town or region to your profile so others can give better advice to suit your area.

Ginkgo strike quite easily from cuttings so I would not bother with a layer, just stick anything you prune off in as cuttings but if you think layering would be better go ahead with that method. Both should work but you'll only get 1 extra tree with layering and potentially lots from cuttings.

I hope you realize the long term project you have set yourself. Ginkgo are lovely trees and make good bonsai but are one of the slowest trees to grow and develop branching. Expect at least 15 years and probably closer to 30 to grow a good ginkgo bonsai.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for all of your advice. I had a feeling it would take a long time but I didn't think as much as 30 years wow! It's okay I am experimenting and happy to just try my best and see what happens. I have a few other projects in the works some trees I started as seed and expect it to be a life time journey for me.




Also my profile is brand new but my post does mention I am in myc growing zone 7b! There will be a winter as we just entered the autumn season. I was thinking of maybe putting the tree in a cloth grow bag what do you think? I am afraid it won't provide adequate protection in winter.
 
Bonsaipadawan said:
Thank you so much for all of your advice. I had a feeling it would take a long time but I didn't think as much as 30 years wow! It's okay I am experimenting and happy to just try my best and see what happens. I have a few other projects in the works some trees I started as seed and expect it to be a life time journey for me.




Also my profile is brand new but my post does mention I am in myc growing zone 7b! There will be a winter as we just entered the autumn season. I was thinking of maybe putting the tree in a cloth grow bag what do you think? I am afraid it won't provide adequate protection in winter.
Click to expand...
Royal Horticultural Society classifies them as:
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20c to -15c)
  • others say hardiness down to zone 4a, 4b
That is in the ground though, mine have gone down to -5c in a bonsai pot on my bench with no issues
 
Welcome to Crazy!

I wouldn't bother trying to Repot the base in "better soil" unless it's top notch.

If it ain't, just throw it in the ground and start better cuttings or layers.

Sorce
 
At the least I’d keep the tree out of the wind. You could also dig it into the ground up to just below the new pot rim with medium bark nuggets below for drainage and above for insulation.

To add your USDA zone and approximate location, please double click you icon on the top of the page and enter this data. You’ll find as you grow to respond to threads in the future that it is much harder to pick out locations embedded in posts then on your icon data, especially as the thread grows.

Good luck!
DSD sends
 
sorce said:
Welcome to Crazy!

I wouldn't bother trying to Repot the base in "better soil" unless it's top notch.

If it ain't, just throw it in the ground and start better cuttings or layers.

Sorce
Click to expand...
When you say top notch are you referring to the soil? If so what would you consider top notch soil?
 
Deep Sea Diver said:
At the least I’d keep the tree out of the wind. You could also dig it into the ground up to just below the new pot rim with medium bark nuggets below for drainage and above for insulation.

To add your USDA zone and approximate location, please double click you icon on the top of the page and enter this data. You’ll find as you grow to respond to threads in the future that it is much harder to pick out locations embedded in posts then on your icon data, especially as the thread grows.

Good luck!
DSD sends
Click to expand...
I really wish I could put it in the ground but my yard is all concrete!
 
Lutonian said:
Royal Horticultural Society classifies them as:
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20c to -15c)
  • others say hardiness down to zone 4a, 4b
That is in the ground though, mine have gone down to -5c in a bonsai pot on my bench with no issues
Click to expand...
-15C here and no issues whatsoever.
 
Instead of’ digging in’ one can do the same on the concrete. In a wind sheltered area create a bubble warp cylinder 2” wider around all the pot. Put 2” bark down then the pot, then pack in bark all around to the rim and put 2” bark nuggets atop the pot.
…and Bobs your Uncle!

Should be safe and sound all winter!

Cheers
DSD sends
 
Deep Sea Diver said:
Instead of’ digging in’ one can do the same on the concrete. In a wind sheltered area create a bubble warp cylinder 2” wider around all the pot. Put 2” bark down then the pot, then pack in bark all around to the rim and put 2” bark nuggets atop the pot.
…and Bobs your Uncle!

Should be safe and sound all winter!

Cheers
DSD sends
Click to expand...
I very well might try that, what I did last year was too frustrating to clean up. I put all my bonsai pots into a larger pot and covered the whole pot and top of tree in woodchips, then I placed them all up against the house so at least the warmth from the house would prevent them from very low temperatures as well as wind. I might do something similar but minus the woodchips.
As for the ginkgo I am thinking I'll put it in a large fabric grow bag and some of the things you mentioned as well I think the bark nuggets are a better alternative to the woodchips easier to clean up since they are thicker.
 
Bonsaipadawan said:
When you say top notch are you referring to the soil? If so what would you consider top notch soil?
Click to expand...

I meant unless the base is top notch.

"Better Soil" will remain in quotes until the definition is solid.

Top notch soil IMO doesn't come from Japan. It comes from as local as possible and can grow what you are trying to grow how you are trying to grow it.

Sorce
 
Note, a lot of folks jump to "better soil", but it's rarely even worth it for stuff in nursery soil, unless the base of the tree is soooooo good, which they rarely are, cuz folks don't check.

Burlap, usually means clay, usually adds way more risk cuz barerooting and hosing is almost always necessary. It's a lotta work and risk for something that could a been thrown in the ground and propogated for better material.

If you lack ground space, you should be extra selective in choosing material that works best for your situation. Probably not small gingks . But hell, ain't no one planning on dying soon!

Sorce
 
My ginkgos survived -14 f in pots with no issues. My variegated one air layered in 8 weeks.
 
Lutonian said:
Royal Horticultural Society classifies them as:
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20c to -15c)
  • others say hardiness down to zone 4a, 4b
That is in the ground though, mine have gone down to -5c in a bonsai pot on my bench with no issues
Click to expand...
I also agree with you. It's a great choice.
 
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