Hlw to thicken the trunk of Cotoneaster dammeri..

[Kevin_T82]

I was at Lowes and found a Cotoneaster dammeri on clearance. Its in good health it seems. What is the best way to thicken the trunk? There is a large branch (2/3 the trunk thinkness) should that be a 'sacrificial' branch to thicken up the trunk or should I just nip it off? Thanks in advance.

Kevin

PS - sorry for the title typo

 

[GrimLore]

At this time of year I would just trim away the smallest branches near or at the base and put it in a large grow box or the ground. When Spring arrives you will notice it responds a little different then trees. By growing it with a thinned out base and trimming it down a lot like a the shrub it actually is it should fatten up in a quick season or two. We have a short grow season as well so that would be my advice. Another good thing is you will be able to learn the plant for future styling and work. They can and will get large fast and that may take some getting used to.

Grimmy

 

[jk_lewis]

That depends on where that branch is located (and how much thickening you are after. Cotoneaster thicken very slowly. If often helps to have several sacrifice branches. You'd remove thm all when the desired thickness is arrived at, then wait for the expected backbudding before you do any serious design work.

C. dammeri is one of the best little tres for shohin nd mame bonsai.

 

[Kevin_T82]

That depends on where that branch is located (and how much thickening you are after.

C. dammeri is one of the best little tres for shohin nd mame bonsai.

The branch is rather low on the main trunk. Like, just above the soil line. It is still in the 2.5qt nursery pot. So, I'm not sure how tall the actual trunk is. That branch doesn't go with the informal upright style I want to go for. However, I may change my mind and do a twin trunk style. I think I want to try for a shohin size. That's up to 10" tall correct?

The main trunk is .28" and the branch in question is .22" thick (measured with calipers).

Also, should I rake out the roots and knock the surface soil down to the root ball and repot it in a larger pot. Then leave it alone for the remainder of the year; still watering & fertilizing of course. I'm going to house it in a cold room of a greenhouse where the temp doesn't drop below freezing this winter.

 

[tree4me]

This may help

http://www.bonsaitoolchest.com/download/cotoneaster.pdf

 

[Neli]

That is a good place to have sacrifice branch but I doubt you can use it as twin trunk...
If you want a shohin, I would chop it so it back buds, and you develop as many as possible sacrifice branches low down...and keep chopping it for taper and movement...and sumo type trunk...but chop all sources of auxin so you get lots of back budding...do that just before spring.

 

[Kevin_T82]

As I was looking at the branching. That branch in question has two roots coming off of it. I can only assume that if I cut those roots it will redirect the energy to the main trunk, is that correct?

 

[Neli]

Now you have given me idea! If it creates aerial roots for you try to use that to your advantage...Poke some little holes on the trunk for about 10cm add hormone and moss, try to develop roots that you can use to make trunk from. You can even use some of the existing roots bellow ground by taping them together.
See th e trunk of the citrus??? it was made from roots ...it was the one on the second last picture.

 

[Neli]

Sorry the picture did not come up