Questions about Mame

[P&CHomestead]

Hey everyone. My name is Chris, and I've been creating Bonsai for about 20 years now, but this year is the first year I have decided that I am going to attempt to start working with Mame Bonsai. And, I am doing this with trees that I am growing from seed.
I recently purchased Bristlecone Pine, larches, maples (including trident maple seeds), quince, birch, and more.
I want to start a discussion with other people who have worked with creating Mame Bonsai from seed using different types of seeds. I want to learn what to avoid, and what to focus on. I know Mame is more difficult to create and to maintain than larger trees. And I know some species are much more difficult to use for Mame material then others. I would also like to see pictures of other people's Mame bonsais, and hear their personal experience and what they did, and what mistakes they made along the way, and what strategies they used in working with this incredibly delicate form of Bonsai.
I want to learn. I've watched a thousand videos, but watching videos, though fun, does not in any way compare to personal experience.
I cant wait to start this discussion. Thank you in advance to any information given throughout this topic.

 

[Carol 83]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[P&CHomestead]

Welcome to the forum!

Thank You.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Hey everyone. My name is Chris, and I've been creating Bonsai for about 20 years now, but this year is the first year I have decided that I am going to attempt to start working with Mame Bonsai. And, I am doing this with trees that I am growing from seed.
I recently purchased Bristlecone Pine, larches, maples (including trident maple seeds), quince, birch, and more.
I want to start a discussion with other people who have worked with creating Mame Bonsai from seed using different types of seeds. I want to learn what to avoid, and what to focus on. I know Mame is more difficult to create and to maintain than larger trees. And I know some species are much more difficult to use for Mame material then others. I would also like to see pictures of other people's Mame bonsais, and hear their personal experience and what they did, and what mistakes they made along the way, and what strategies they used in working with this incredibly delicate form of Bonsai.
I want to learn. I've watched a thousand videos, but watching videos, though fun, does not in any way compare to personal experience.
I cant wait to start this discussion. Thank you in advance to any information given throughout this topic.

On YouTube look for the BonsaiQ channel and Kimi’s Bonsai. They are Japanese so get ready for captions butbthey have some good content, especially Kimi. Unfortunately she has not been making new videos for a while but her older videos are good. Also @Eric Schrader has some good videos on his Bonsaify channel.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

welcome! Both to the forum and to the wonderful world of mame!

The pine is a fine balance, you need roots for top growth but in later life they won't cope with cutting the roots back the same as a lot of other species so you may want to keep them roots in check from the get go and really keep on top of them in the first 4 years or so, hopefully get plenty of fine feeder roots to occupy your tiny pot

My advice is my opinion alone and maybe you will be happy with seedlings, it's common in the UK to see twisted seedlings in tiny pots displayed as mame but personally I prefer the trees that, like the larger bonsai, have a substantial trunk, relative to their size of course

Which would mean growing your seedlings out and cutting back for taper, much like regular bonsai but on a much smaller scale

I recommend keeping your small trees in a gravel tray, it's hard to explain how quick the tiny pots dry out until you've experienced it yourself! Make sure the tray has drainage holes!