I have a batch of yearling oaks (Oregon White Oak/Q. Garryana) that I grew from locally-collected acorns, with the aim of bonsaiing the most promising. However, I'm a n00b, and can't find info on how to proceed. Should I be letting them grow on unchecked to gain trunk width? Pinching them back to promote lateral growth and shortness? Wiring limbs/leaflets for horizontality and shape?
They're all between about 10 and 16 inches now. The best is about a foot, with an interesting swerve to the trunk and many leaflets/branches. The worst are 16" whips. I'll bonsai 1 or 2 and guerilla-plant the rest. In my community, Garry Oak meadows are a big deal, so if I can get some to be two or three years old, they'll be legally protected.
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Also, I accidentally ended up with an small batch of horse chestnuts, after local youth spilled a large bag of conkers in my lawn, and I decided that I didn't want to just mow them over, so I potted half a dozen or so. I hadn't really considered bonsaiing them, and the leaves seem too large to make a satisfying bonsai, anyway. However, now I have them. Do people bonsai horse chestnut? Does it work? What would I do to make it happen, if I decide to proceed?
They're all between about 10 and 16 inches now. The best is about a foot, with an interesting swerve to the trunk and many leaflets/branches. The worst are 16" whips. I'll bonsai 1 or 2 and guerilla-plant the rest. In my community, Garry Oak meadows are a big deal, so if I can get some to be two or three years old, they'll be legally protected.
~~
Also, I accidentally ended up with an small batch of horse chestnuts, after local youth spilled a large bag of conkers in my lawn, and I decided that I didn't want to just mow them over, so I potted half a dozen or so. I hadn't really considered bonsaiing them, and the leaves seem too large to make a satisfying bonsai, anyway. However, now I have them. Do people bonsai horse chestnut? Does it work? What would I do to make it happen, if I decide to proceed?