New to Bonsai with Oak from Acorn

[Mikem]

Hi All,

This is my first attempt at Bonsai and I have decided on doing this from seed.

Below are my two Oaks that I have been growing, they do not look the healthiest (could be due to the lack of sun where I live).

Is there any advice anyone could give me? how to look after them, when to cut the root's etc?

(sorry for the bad images I was in a hurry when I took them)

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Hi and welcome!


Can you update your profile so we know where in the world you live? It helps us tailor the information we give you so that it's the best it can be.

Unfortunately you chose the wrong time of year to start from seed. Usually Oak trees are dormant right now. Come spring, these trees should be outdoors 24/7/365. These trees are years and years away from being ready to be trained for bonsai. If you can, plant them in the ground in the spring for the best growth.

 

[sorce]

I think, after hearing all the mess about an oak taproot, that starting them from seed is a good idea.

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Ironbeaver]

When I did bonsai 12 years ago, I remember asking an older club member about a couple of oak seedlings I had sprouted and asked if they were worth continuing. He arched his eyebrow and said "for you, maybe. I wouldn't be around long enough."

 

[Anthony]

Try an Indoor Oak [ Buddleja indica ]

Gives a similar feel, but a bit faster.

http://www.donnan.com/images/Bonsai_5.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gDR-07e_xk/Tj9EA1cdKeI/AAAAAAAAe1c/fi-OaL2JuWw/s1600/nicodemia.jpg

http://bonsaibeginnings.blogspot.com/2012/06/one-of-old-time-house-plants.html

https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Buddleja_indica.htm

Old standby from cold Victorian houses.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[M. Frary]

All you have to do now is wait about 20 years.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Sorry everybodies giving hard time here. One negative: if in Northern Hemisphere trees should be dormant now.
However too late for that now so will move on to positives. I also have oak seedlings so am sympathetic. Big plus is you can train roots from beginning of tree instead of later. Oaks have very strong tap root instinct. Late Feb repot into much bigger but preferably somewhat shallow container and trim tap root as much as possible while keeping decent amount of side feeder roots(at least 50% roots). May not be able to cut all tap root desired at first repotting. Keep trees in where they are at till spring(NO Cold shock)and give roots mild fertilizer boost to help survival and give best lite location near window you have. May also spray leaves with same 1/2 strength food. In Spring after freezes past(you're probably in the tropics.Ha Ha)move outside into area with about 1/2 day sunlite. When temperatures comfortably shirt sleeve warm(58-60 degrees regularly)start regular feeding to start and boost growth. If they survive and after reaching about 10-12 inches wiring CAN be started. Easiest when tree small and thin to wire. If wish to grow sacrifice branch or branches in this first section is good idea for trunk thickening. Something very special starting tree from seed and watching grow for many years so don't be discouraged by some comments. Suggest potting late/end of Feb as have seen comments that late Winter is best time for Oaks as many or most other temperate trees are about a month or so later as said "just before bud break" or when buds first show life. Will add request for your locale in profile please. All the best for new interest.

 

[coppice]

If your sapling is in the red oak family (and I think it is) you have a more than human life-time wait for this tree to bulk up. Pick a white oak and cut the wait down to fourty years or so.

 

[augustine]

Figure out what they are and how to take care of them and go for it. In the interim get yourself some trees more amenable to a reasonable rate of growth and bonsai training

 

[Kandoloh]

Started my own acorns recently (southern live oak, 16 total) hopefully I get some to take. If not I have 2 acorn producers in the front yard that I can try again till I get it right wish you the best!

 

[Alohaarn]

I too am new to this experience as well. My brother unexpectedly passed away & I was given 3 acorns to grow in his memory. I live on Oahu & in a townhome. Needless to say I have nowhere to plant the acorns in the ground. Sooo this is how I came to the conclusion of bonsai. I appreciate this post and am following the advise given.

 

[jeanluc83]

Growing from seed is the slowest possible way to grow a bonsai. But you have full control over it's growth from the beginning.

Are there any native oaks in Hawaii? I'm not trying to be an ass. I ask out of genuine curiosity. Generally you will have the most success with trees that are native to your climate.

 

[Alohaarn]

Growing from seed is the slowest possible way to grow a bonsai. But you have full control over it's growth from the beginning.

Are there any native oaks in Hawaii? I'm not trying to be an ass. I ask out of genuine curiosity. Generally you will have the most success with trees that are native to your climate.

Silver Oaks were introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s from Australia. I had to look it up.