New Cotoneaster- What to do?

[Lazylightningny]

Hi guys and gals. I picked up this little cotoneaster today on sale while up in Mass. picking up my daughter from camp. As you can see, it's low-lying and bushy. Can I start shaping it at this time of year? Just prune it back a little? Can I repot it? How far back can you cut a cotoneaster? Do you need to leave some foliage on it?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Lazylightningny]

Any thoughts? I could sure use some help. Thanks.

 

[KennedyMarx]

I don't know if you should cut it back this late in the season. New growth might not have time to harden up before it gets cold.

I have a cotoneaster I bought this spring. I cut it back really hard before the buds started popping on the tree and it resulted in an insane amount of growth. This is the only one I have experience with. Others might not react the same way, but from what I have read they're generally tough little plants.

 

[october]

Hello Lazylightningny.. You probably have not received any replies because there is no visible trunk here. Since the interior can't be seen no advice can really be given. At first glance, this will be difficult to make a bonsai out of. Maybe cut some back and/or pull back the foliage to see the trunk/trunks

I think that you might be getting far ahead of yourself here. Here are some tips that might be beneficial. Bonsai needs to be learned in stages. One of the very first things you do in bonsai is familiarize yourself with the 5 styles of bonsai. The whole art is based on these styles. There are also sub styles as well. Now, while you are learning these styles, you can pic up a tree to do some work on. However, some knowledge of the styles is necessary. Meanwhile, you would need to learn how to prune the species you have and care. Basically, these things are usually done before a tree is picked out. Meaning, you see a tree and then think, this tree might make a good informal upright style, cascade style or maybe slant style. So purchasing a tree and then getting it home and wondering what to do is the reverse of the process. Also, climate requirements are important. Questions such as, can I provide this tree with the proper conditions from season to season. Having knowledge of these things can be very beneficial.

Since you are new, it is only understandable that you want to jump right in. This is good. However, a little reading and taking a basics class will go a long way. It will prevent a lot of dead trees and wasted money. We all lose trees. Chances are, depending on how many you purchase, you will kill quite a few in the first 2 years. This is part of bonsai. However, good information can reduce this number and get you on your way to creating nice bonsai that thrive. It is a long journey though. Many bonsai need to be trained for 3-5-10 years plus before they become nice bonsai.

I hope this was helpful.

Rob

 

[Lazylightningny]

Thanks for the advice. My main concern, however, was not how to shape it, but if any work can be done on it at this late juncture, or if I should wait until spring. I'm not finding a lot of info on cotoneaster care on the internet. What I am thinking of doing is just pruning back the wild growth a little, cutting the root ball up into fourths or eighths, spreading the root mass out, and planting in the ground until spring when I can do more serious work on it. My thoughts are that since this is a time of rapid root growth, the roots will have time to recover before winter sets in.

Come spring, do I need to leave any foliage on the tree, or can it be trunk chopped like a maple?

KennedyMarx brings up a good point that the new foliage may not have time to lignify and therefore not be protected from the winter snow and frosts.

Thanks again.

 

[Paulpash]

I'd leave til Spring .. in the mean time keep it somewhere that you can spend a while seeing what shape / style you want to go with it in six months or so time. I often place plants for review the following season right in front of the bench I have in my bonsai garden .. on one of my benches, but a wall will do just as well.

Don't be afraid to spin it and tilt it as the planting angle as well as the front can be adjusted at repotting time. I have a range of wedges and a turntable that are really good for exploring styling possibilities. Try and trace a pleasing trunk line remembering that branches can be brought up to continue the trunk line, provide a pleasing change of direction and introducing taper.

Ok onto Cotoneaster .. you've chosen a good species (quick growing, hardy, backbuds and tolerates pruning well as well as having glossy foliage, flowers and berries). If you are able to post a better pic against a neutral background so we can see the trunk(s) we'll be able to give suggestions as to possible styling suggestions.

 

[Lazylightningny]

correct pronunciation:

cotton-easter?

or co-tone-ee-aster?

 

[Zaelthus]

correct pronunciation:

cotton-easter?

or co-tone-ee-aster?

In Canada it's the second one

 

[Paulpash]

correct pronunciation:

cotton-easter?

or co-tone-ee-aster?

Everywhere it's second lol

 

[Lazylightningny]

Sorry for the dwerby question lol

 

[GrimLore]

I would honestly leave it alone for now and learn how to properly winter it. This will give you a few weeks to look at it from different angles. Also you might want to have someone help you spend a few minutes on it to gently gather all if the branching upwards and tie it up with string to photo the base from several angles. Remove the string and let it grow and Winter. By Spring I am certain with all the photo's you will develop a decent plan.

Grimmy