Rae's Redbud Bonsai
- Thread starter BonsaiRae
- Start date
The first year of the redbud sapling 2019. It was dug out from under a fully grown redbud. It was growing on top of a weed barrier and had 4 main tap roots spread out over the weed barrier. No idea how old it may be. I put it in a pot and crossed my fingers. It gets to over winter in an unheated garage. And pulled out again in spring.
Firstflush
Chumono
That is a great scenario where the roots were kept shallow and horozontal….vs. a big taproot diving.
As I read other posts on this site I notice people talking about leaf size reduction. My full sized redbud has 2-4 inch leaves on it but suckers coming from the base of the tree have leaves 6-8 inches. I had noticed when I disturbed the soil and old landscape fabric around it, when we first moved in, that the nutrients were introduced to the root system. That year the leaves were massive. I would say almost 10 inches across. Since then the smaller leaves. Also the leaves of the sapling are only 2-4 inches. So I am thinking that fertilizer or lack of, may be a way to maintain smaller leaves?
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
I’m interested in seeing how this tree progresses.
Im trying to air layer one in the front yard, so will be happy to hear of any findings you have.
Im trying to air layer one in the front yard, so will be happy to hear of any findings you have.
Srt8madness
Omono
I think a redbud bonsai is one that isn't really for display when leafed out, but as a silhouette or when flowering.
That said, defoliation, root restriction, lower Nitrogen levels, are all methods of leaf size reduction.
That said, defoliation, root restriction, lower Nitrogen levels, are all methods of leaf size reduction.
I will be interested to see how your air layering goes. I have only watched videos on air layering but it looks like a very good alternative to get a nice trunk going.I’m interested in seeing how this tree progresses.
Im trying to air layer one in the front yard, so will be happy to hear of any findings you have.
I agree that a redbud silhouette is very nice to look at. Really hope to see flowers show up in the next year or two.
I want to check roots so will try to pull it out next year just to look. It had a splay of roots, no just one single tap root so I want to see what they are doing. I know I will have to do some root trimming at some point. Thinking of trimming one root back at a time in hopes not to kill it.
Scorpius
Chumono
Red buds despise root work with a passion. Better left in the ground in my opinion.
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Soo true. When we first moved into this house last year, I had no idea what a red bud was. But I really like the shape and the movement in the trunk and branches.
maybe best as a garden tree.
Perhaps if a layer is transplanted onto a tile?…. Roots could get a good start without having to mess with them much in the future.
Looking for opinions as to the canopy of my bonsai. As it does a natural Y and I have two sides to look at, I did a top picture of each side. I have never wired a bonsai before and I was wondering if there are any spots that would need attention. I am hoping to keep it about this height and spread. Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.
Attachments
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
At this point, I wouldn’t worry about styling/shaping the tree. Instead focus on all out growth. Feeding and perhaps a little tip pruning may help it flush out closer or on the the trunk.
love the heart shaped leaves.
love the heart shaped leaves.
RKatzin
Omono
These are great trees! I have several saplings to be processed in the spring. They're all growing in a big pot along with some Korean dogwoods. But, did you know that there's also a Western redbud? Cersis occidentalis. It's native range is very limited to very northern California and SW Oregon, but they are available commercially. These are a very diminutive form of Cersis with the biggest mature leaves only about an inch to inch and a half. Maybe two inches on really healthy well feed specimens. Same awesome spring flush, maybe a bit more purple tinge in color.
Paradox
Imperial Masterpiece
Are these Eastern Redbud? I love the flowers in the spring so always wondered how well they would tolerate bonsai techniques
As far as I know it is an Eastern Redbud. I live in Iowa and I see several around in the yards here. This is a sapling that I found under the full grown redbud.
I believe I have seen pictures of those. Very pretty. I saw a post on another site where people were trying to get a smaller leaf size. This little one had several different sizes all summer. I liked the variety in size and hope it does it again next year.
