Laurel Oak

[SWfloirda]

I picked up this tree from wigerts in February of 2020. Repotted it right away back into the same bulb pan with some cheap bonsai substrate.

 

[SWfloirda]

All I've done with it is a partial defoliation every spring for a second flush of smaller leaves.
2021. Early April to late April

 

[SWfloirda]

 

[Zelrod]

Pretty nice start! Thanks for posting the oak!

 

[Cosmos]

Nice. Interesting bark already for a young oak.

 

[SWfloirda]

It is budding out so I gave it a light prune before allowing the first flush to push out.

 

[SWfloirda]

And the first flush of leaves are in.

 

[SWfloirda]

April update after a partial defoliation a month ago. Plus a little clean up on another Oak project.

 

[SWfloirda]

 

[SWfloirda]

Quick update on both Oaks.

 

[SFDrake]

When do you repot your Oaks down here in south florida?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

My advice on your trees... make sure you wire your branches. Right now you are doing an excellent job with the clip and grow method, but it is apparent in your branching where all your branches are straight between nodes. Toss some wire on your tree and give all of your branches some movement. It is critical if you want to create the illusion of an old tree in miniature.

 

[SWfloirda]

When do you repot your Oaks down here in south florida?

At bud break, it just happens much earlier for us. Looking through my pictures and videos it's about mid February for us.

 

[SWfloirda]

My advice on your trees... make sure you wire your branches. Right now you are doing an excellent job with the clip and grow method, but it is apparent in your branching where all your branches are straight between nodes. Toss some wire on your tree and give all of your branches some movement. It is critical if you want to create the illusion of an old tree in miniature.

I have been trying to do this when I can. For the oaks and some other species too, Gmelina, Water Jasmine and bougainvillea come to mind, I'm finding it difficult to find the right time to do it. As I try to allow the branches to lengthen and gain strength they lignify when I least expect it.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Having personal oaks here is some advice; As soon as new growth lignifies wire it. Once the next section hardens then wire that and remove the past wires as they will now be "set". Your first tree has a boring bad straight section of upper trunk with no branch for a space. Cut back to this sections lowest branch and work from there. Could also notch this remaining section and add some interest to it. It's easy to do.