P Afra - first time repot, wire, and prune

[PafraInNY]

Hey Everyone,

I bought a cork bark p afra nursery stock two months ago and after letting it grow out in its original bonsai pot (mostly pine bark and soil which was very dense) I pulled it out and swapped the medium for high draining bonsai grit (inorganic + some pine bark). Repotted it back in its bonsai pot. Let it acclimate for another 3 weeks and then wired and trimmed it.

My questions are:
- is this a cork bark p afra. The nursery said it was a “frank Yee” cutting but it doesn’t show any corking. They said it will take time - true or not?
- can you wire a p afra? Some say you can’t given it’s a succulent.
- feedback on wiring / pruning I did today (first time)
- long term vision for the tree
- I keep it in a west facing window and live in NYC. Any tips for the winter?

 

[Pixar]

nice view and tree

 

[Carol 83]

They said it will take time - true or not?

True

 

[Srt8madness]

It takes time and unfortunately growing it indoors will take longer. Great that you have it though. They absolutely can be wired. Carefully, and after the soils dries. The humidity tray is pointless other than looks.

Just took wires off this one, took 2 or 3 months to get the main trunk to shape. Next I'll do primary branching (well actually I cut all the roots off so it's a huge cutting right now). New roots then wire branches.

 

[dbonsaiw]

The cork on many species takes some time to develop, so just give it time.

I recently gave away all my P Afras to my son as I have zero interest caring for them another season in indoor grow tents with lights etc. They can most definitely be wired.

It's a succulent, so not much organics needed in the soil. I was also able to feed it rather heavily and the ones I had in larger pots grew much, much larger than their counterparts. I don't have any experience with the cork variety, but find the variegated to be a weaker grower.