New to Bonsai and Eager to Learn. Maple question inside.

Dat5un

Seedling
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Location
Atlanta, Ga
USDA Zone
7B
Hi guys. I have been playing around a little bit with Bonsai and am loving it. So far I have done a couple junipers, a sweet broom, and I am working on a Maple Stump(not sure what kind). This Maple was growing for a long time next to the building that I work in and I guess the management cut it down. Its only like 8 inches tall but it has a ton of branches sprouting out of it. It looked too much like a bonsai to not try for it. So I but it in some good soil that I mixed with recommendations from the local Bonsai shop and put rooting gel all over the roots(very few) and I am hoping for the best. The tree had 2 or 3 large main roots coming off of it and of course I had to cut those off, which left me with next to nothing. It has been potted for 5 days now and isn't really showing any signs of dying or wilting. I can't seem to find any information about this exact way of obtaining and transplanting and tree so I am turning to you guys for help. I am going to try to post some pictures along with this thread if I can. Also I live just north. of Atlanta Ga

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2257331_zps3d6ec1f2.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2257411_zpsab465ff3.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2257491_zpsaf4042c7.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2258111_zpsebe08b38.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2258241_zps5f49127e.jpg

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h473/Dat5un/20130429_2258371_zps4ceb2350.jpg
 

Paulpash

Masterpiece
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As Dario said - a bigger pot but just so the roots fit snugly in it - the shallower the better (more soil means more chance of it staying soggy which isn't good for root production). I use shallow plastic vegetable boxes and put greenhouse meshing inside for good drainage and aeration. Make sure it dries out a little between waterings ... use a skewer as a dipstick - when it's only slightly damp then water again. Flush it so that water gushes out the holes then wait and use the skewer method to judge the moisture level in the soil. After a while you will learn by colour change and / or weight of container.
 

Medicine Man

Seedling
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San Diego California
New to bonsai.

I am new to bonsai. I live in Southern California, and I absolutely fell in love with a bonsai that I saw online. It is a shishigashira (lions head, lions mane) maple. I have done what limited research I can do with my limited experience. I saw one a few weeks ago and had to have it. So, I am aware that Southern California is not the ideal zone for this little tree to thrive, but I have followed the guidelines I have found. Partial sun and mostly shade, not in a really windy area, I'm not on the coast...more inland. I was told that I should repot as soon as I got it home because it was the correct time to do so. I found a lot slight bigger than the plastic nursery pot it was In. I didn't do any root pruning, however I did prune some small branches no main branches. I admit, that was mostly due to my excitement at finally having it at home. I stopped myself once I reached the desired look...(for now anyway). I repotted it with an azealea mix with a lite or hid bark mixed in to make Shute that it drained nicely. I kept the original root ball intact and just put soil in the empty spaces in the pot...so having said all that. I am open to criticism, and any advice anyone has to offer. I have dreamed if making this a viable hobby, and now I am in a place in my life and career where I have the time and money to persue it. So thank you in advance...Medicine Man
 

frozenlarch

Sapling
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Location
Duluth, Minnesota
USDA Zone
4b
Any chance you could post a few photos for us to see what you're working with, Med Man?
 

JudyB

Queen of the Nuts
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South East of Cols. OH
USDA Zone
6a
MD man, you should start your own thread about your tree, and do try to post some photos.

Dat5un, I know you'd get more looks at this if you'd post the photos in the thread. I don't like going offsite to view photos, and I don't think I'm the only one... Good luck with your maple, sounds nice.
 
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