New to Bonsai from NJ

[Tidal Bonsai]

Yes, it looks good to me! Starting trees early makes it so much easier to get a good root base. It seems counterproductive to remove roots on a tiny seedling, but it’s how it’s done.

I have had so many instances where material could have been worth double if the grower did something as simple as cutting off the tap root, and worked the nebari every few years.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

This year, I did the same thing to some Korean Hornbeam (Carpinus Coreana) seedlings. The tap root was cut, roots were arranged radially, and some wiggle was put low on the trunks with wire. This hour of time now will save me years down the line of development! The important thing to remember is to put big bends in trees trees you want to be big, and little bends in trees you want to be little.

I have little leaf linden (Tilia Cordata) arriving in a few weeks that will get the same treatment.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

I was thinking of a modified tile growing system to get radial roots, using very small tiles, almost a mosaic of sorts, which would fit in a small pot as an experiment in root production. We all know the technique works for field growing, maybe it can be modified for a smaller container as well.

Basically I followed same procedure as you. Its one of the reasons im excited to start these plants so young - i can fine tune as much or as little as I want. I havent messed with wire yet but when I dig up the larger maple in the yard this spring, ill be doing so to some of those branches.

I have a maple with buds popping now im going to try to put tomorrow. Just need to buy a pot for it.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

There are many ways to skin a cat!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Was really nice out so I potted seedlings from front garden. Most look to be Acer Rubrum but there were some oddities mixed in like a tiny Ilex, a juniper growing in front lawn, and something i havent been able to identify with alternating leaves and a yellowish stem. Liked the movement in it though.

I also dug up one of the maples (sugar maple) from the back yard which im excited about due to the trunk shape but I forgot to take pictures of it. It has a 1.5" trunk at moment and wild curve. It had started to bud out. Keeping an eye on temps from here out but other than a few upcoming nights feel confident as to no frost issues.

Everything potted in 100% sifted 8822.


Holly (ilex)



Juniper from front lawn. Didnt mean to completely bare root but oh well. The soil fell away as I was cleaning it up.


Acer Rubrum.... representative of the maple seedlings I potted.




An interesting one. Will see how it shapes up.


Not sure what this is but is has nice movement.


The full lot of what I planted. Tried to pick seedlings with some movement in trunks.


Also, my first seedling from last year, Acer Negundo, has started to bud out in my attic after repotting. Very happy to see it greening up again. Means my methods worked well this winter including a stint of slowly thawing out completely frozen root ball in refrigerator to prevent dessication.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

A lot of energy at the top of the Acer Negundo right now.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Negundo is growing nicely. Will be bringing him outside in the next few days as temps are expected to be steadily above freezing here out. Going to put it in a shady spot for time being and slowly move it into the sun.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Updates on trees in their 1st and 2nd years:

2nd year trees:



Acer Negundo is very happy. Anyone have pruning tips as to balancing vigor on this tree? I know i should at some point clip two branches growing strongest to send more energy to lower down shoots, but should this be done now or wait until mid summer growing pause?



Acer Rubrum. Letting grow out this summer with no other work. Want to get some height and girth on the trunk.

My little acer palmatum from last year died.

1st year trees:



3 crabapples i started inside. Seeds from virginia gas station tree. Growing well. Will start fertilizer may 1st.



White oak. Recently brought outside. Doing much better now that its getting sun. Leaves started turning brown inside. Going to start fertilizing in may to try and spur 3rd flush of growth.



Spruce from a customer's yard. Figured why not.



Another red maple... this one im growing over a rock thats currently under the soil. It had an interesting root structure so I figured id give it a shot.



Three others... nice new growth on the juniper. The other is a dogwood that sprouted in the front. The third i dont know what it is... maybe sycamore? Anyone else can identify? Closeup below:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Some other stuff ive potted this spring, mostly maples saved from certain destruction from the front garden.:


Nice Oak from the yard.


Red oak. Like the movement on it.


Japanese maple with an interesting trunk.


Another red maple.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

The little spruce is budding out. Not entirely sure what type yet but it looks happy. Cant wait to see the little needles extend. Will then prune back to balance the energy.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Ladybug on the leaves to my Quercus Rubrum


Acer Negundo


Pitch pine seeds from @jeanluc83 germinating.


A small Red Maple


Small Liriodendron... going to experiment with this. Have not heard positive things but going to try anyway. In open field settings, they seem to get interesting structures.


Acer Rubrum... another one...


Full batch of crabapple seeds... two varieties... have a crab-ton more in another tray.


Silver Maple


The mulberry... excited about how strongly this is growing. Roots are poking out of the base of the pot like crazy... may have to slip it to a bigger pot before it gets too hot. I dont want to restrict it's growth now.

 

[TN_Jim]

View attachment 243190
Ladybug on the leaves to my Quercus Rubrum

View attachment 243191
Acer Negundo

View attachment 243192
Pitch pine seeds from @jeanluc83 germinating.

View attachment 243193
A small Red Maple

View attachment 243194
Small Liriodendron... going to experiment with this. Have not heard positive things but going to try anyway. In open field settings, they seem to get interesting structures.

View attachment 243195
Acer Rubrum... another one...

View attachment 243196
Full batch of crabapple seeds... two varieties... have a crab-ton more in another tray.

View attachment 243197
Silver Maple

View attachment 243198
The mulberry... excited about how strongly this is growing. Roots are poking out of the base of the pot like crazy... may have to slip it to a bigger pot before it gets too hot. I dont want to restrict it's growth now.

I hope you’ll update this post’sprogress. You may have a couple of species that some may say dicey or prefer others...who cares, perhaps, perhaps not.
There’s a thread around here somewhere that impressed me with exceptionally reduced tulip tree leaves for example.

 

[TN_Jim]

View attachment 243190
Ladybug on the leaves to my Quercus Rubrum

View attachment 243191
Acer Negundo

View attachment 243192
Pitch pine seeds from @jeanluc83 germinating.

View attachment 243193
A small Red Maple

View attachment 243194
Small Liriodendron... going to experiment with this. Have not heard positive things but going to try anyway. In open field settings, they seem to get interesting structures.

View attachment 243195
Acer Rubrum... another one...

View attachment 243196
Full batch of crabapple seeds... two varieties... have a crab-ton more in another tray.

View attachment 243197
Silver Maple

View attachment 243198
The mulberry... excited about how strongly this is growing. Roots are poking out of the base of the pot like crazy... may have to slip it to a bigger pot before it gets too hot. I dont want to restrict it's growth now.

Mulberry -when you water it does water drain through the soil? -yes? don’t repot now

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Mulberry -when you water it does water drain through the soil? -yes? don’t repot now

Yes. It drains fine but is growing really fast. Im sure it will be rootbound pretty soon. Will keep an eye on it.


This crabapple clump isnt draining well at all right now and im not sure why. I doubt the trees are pot bound and theres no roots growing from bottom. Going to check closer tonight. Maybe needs some bigger substrate at bottom of pot or something. Im going to pick up some gravel and see how that works. The trees are about 30% bigger than this picture since i moved them into full sun.

Ill be sharing progress on everything for sure.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

If the root development on my other trees is anywhere near this good I will be happy. Thinned some seedlings and this was the roots on one of them. Just don't need a million crabapples. 42 crabapples is enough for now. Haha.




I also transplanted some pitch pines. This is the remaining of the ones I will transplant for now. Letting the last group of seedlings stay in their germinating container til fall.



Roots on bottom of mullberry pot.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

First official bonsai pot. I managed to win it at the recent club raffle. Planning on either putting a spruce or a three-tree Acer Palmatum clumb in it. I think the color would suit the Jap. Maple clump with the reddish leaves against the green. I think the texture of the finish would suit the spruce. Havent decided yet. Pot is by Bill Guthrie.

Front:

Bottom:

Other two sides:

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

That is a nice pot, very nice color, can be used with many trees.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Size is nice on it too. About 8" diameter.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Some updates and pictures.


Saw this little guy on the leaf of one of my crabapples. Officially: Propylea Quatuordecimpunctata - A 14 Spotted Ladybird. This one is a yellow variety.


Dogwood. Growing nicely. Roots showing out of bottom. Will be repotted next spring into a bigger pot. Currently is pushing new leaf growth after fertilization with 14-14-14 slow release fertilizer. A little concerned with the spots on the leaves. I'm hoping next year to use a systemic 3-in-1 fertilizer/fungicide/insecticide to preemptively combat any of these common leave spot issues.


A Eastern Red Cedar in a blue pot. Thinking I'm going to style this into a semi-cascade.


The bigger of the two ERCs that I have. This one will be a standard informal upright styled to look like an old ERC tree.


I had A LOT of dieback on the Yellow Poplar / Tulip Tree... The soil isn't the best choice but I didn't have anything else available when I potted the tree because I had run out of 8822. The tree is alive though, and it seems to be pushing some new buds lower down. Will see how it fares.


What I believe to be a Norwegian Spruce. Will be able to identify better as it ages. Letting it grow this year. Pushed first flush of growth but was in shade mostly until recently so it hasn't hardened off as quickly as the spruces that are landscape trees around here.


Has anyone else ever found a three-winged Acer Palmatum seed? This was at a lady's house I was doing some landscape work for. Thought it was pretty cool.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Saw a 3 winged seed on a Norway maple (A. platanoides) once, a long time ago.

I suppose it happens occasionally.