Sharing my bonsai collection.

[caseykckckc]

Here is my bonsai collection. I've had my weeping fig and green island for over a year now. I recently picked up some new plants and moved a few of my younger ones into bigger containers so they can develop better. Got any tips and/or advice for a bonsai noob? Thanks!

http://imgur.com/a/cpYGy

 

[will0911]

if they are in regular potting soil i would put them in bonsai soil as soon as the timing is right. Im not sure where you are from so i can't really tell you. Also, If your goal is small trees you're gonna need to reduce the size of the tree itself to get it more in scale for some of them.

The chinese elm is what most people call mallsai though i have seen people on here turn them into pretty decent trees since they have them. they are kind of a "cookie cutter' tree that is massed produced for quick sale. But they are good to learn on and such.

The green island ficus needs to be left to grow with nothing done to it for awhile...its just a little plant right now. i would just fed it and watch it grow until you like the thickness of the trunk then you can start with design.

The same goes for the bougie. Its very young and could benefit from being grown out. You should do a search on these forums or bonsai4me.com for growing out trunks with taper to learn how to build taper as the trunk gets bigger and more mature.

The weeping fig you could start training if you are satisfied with the trunk size though im not sure how the leaves reduce or the internodes...but again its a good species to practice with to learn basic techniques like clip and grow, repotting, root reduction, branch selection, wiring, etc. But if you want a bigger tree its better to just let it grow until your satisfied with the trunk size. I wouldnt worry about branches on any of these trees until you have produced the right size trunk of your liking.

I think you should take the cherry out of the bonsai pot and either plant it if you can or pot it up in a grow box to let it grow for awhile to bulk up the trunk. Again you would be building taper while increasing trunk size and taper.

Same for the willow fig. Although it does have decent taper if you cut it about in half and work with the bottom. Again not sure if the leaves reduce so someone else will have to answer that.

And again, the same for the serissa. It needs to grow and mature in a grow box or the ground if possible for a number of years to be more convincing.

hope this helped....if you have any more questions ill do my best to answer and im sure others will comment eventually. Might take a few days to get a few people to respond but they usually do especially if ive said something wrong...lol...have fun and welcome!

 

[caseykckckc]

Wow thanks for your input, I wasn't expecting all that. The pots don't have straight potting soil in them, I threw in some inorganic bonsai mix and pine bark. For the weeping fig, do you really think I can start training it? I thought it was too small which is why I put it in the pot. And I understand chinese elm's are sometimes "mallsai's" but I got it from a legit nursery for 20 dollars. It seemed like a good deal and a nice bonsai I can experiment with. Also do you think I can get good trunk growth from the plants growing in those plastic pots or do I need to get something bigger?

edit- I'm in zone 7a, Virginia.

 

[berobinson82]

Wow thanks for your input, I wasn't expecting all that. The pots don't have straight potting soil in them, I threw in some inorganic bonsai mix and pine bark. For the weeping fig, do you really think I can start training it? I thought it was too small which is why I put it in the pot. And I understand chinese elm's are sometimes "mallsai's" but I got it from a legit nursery for 20 dollars. It seemed like a good deal and a nice bonsai I can experiment with. Also do you think I can get good trunk growth from the plants growing in those plastic pots or do I need to get something bigger?

edit- I'm in zone 7a, Virginia.

Hello neighbor! Good to see one more from good ol' VA. I like that willow fig.

 

[will0911]

hope this helps

Wow thanks for your input, I wasn't expecting all that. The pots don't have straight potting soil in them, I threw in some inorganic bonsai mix and pine bark.

how much inorganic? and you're welcome.

For the weeping fig, do you really think I can start training it? I thought it was too small which is why I put it in the pot.

it depends on if you want a mame sized tree or a bigger trunk...and technically youre training them all whether it be growing them out or whatever...so yes if you want it stay that small then you can chop it and start training...though i dont know if you could now or wait until spring. maybe read up on the best time to do work...which will most likely be winter or spring.

And I understand chinese elm's are sometimes "mallsai's" but I got it from a legit nursery for 20 dollars. It seemed like a good deal and a nice bonsai I can experiment with.

I wasn't trying to look down on you tree just letting you know it will take some work to make it look ''different'' and that some might have not so nice things to say about its current appearance. If you're goal is just to use it for practice then perfect!

Also do you think I can get good trunk growth from the plants growing in those plastic pots or do I need to get something bigger?

i think you can get good enough growth if you learn how to let the tree grow and try to get lower branches to grow alot with out interruption and feed the heck out of it. do some research on developing taper while enlarging trunk girth and you should be fine. Just have to be patient but i think ficus grow pretty fast when in good conditions.

do you bring them in during the winter?

 

[caseykckckc]

how much inorganic? and you're welcome.


do you bring them in during the winter?

Honestly not all that much inorganic, probably around 30%. And yes I'll bring them in when it starts to get cold out, which is around late October.

 

[caseykckckc]

Hello neighbor! Good to see one more from good ol' VA. I like that willow fig.

Thanks, I really like the willow fig too, it has a nice few radial roots that you can't see from the picture. I got a few of these from the Great Big Greenhouse in Midlothian.

 

[will0911]

Honestly not all that much inorganic, probably around 30%.

im sure they will be fine until spring in which i would make it at least 60% inorganic...most of mine are in about 80-90% in organic to 10-20% organic...some are in pure inorganic...its so hot here that i have to water some times twice a day so i can water and fertilize more frequently without risking root rot or standing water which can cause a number of problems.

 

[berobinson82]

Thanks, I really like the willow fig too, it has a nice few radial roots that you can see from the picture. I got a few of these from the Great Big Greenhouse in Midlothian.

That store is 10 minutes from my office. We might ACTUALLY be neighbors. Have you yet joined the Richmond Bonsai Society? Check the facebook page.

 

[GrimLore]

Nice collection you have! Lots of potential depending on styles YOU choose and such. Off the top they all seem to show good "motion" which I personally approve of(favor). The only suggestion I have atm is on the Ficus. If you don't want to spend a ton of research and money on it I would put it in a training pot with 100 pct package of Cactus Mix with a large moisture pan - the whole process will probably be under 20usd. Keep it wet and bug free and play play play! I find them to be extremely tolerant to all kinds of crazy things once my Wife taught me how to keep them alive

Welcome to the addiction,
Grim

 

[caseykckckc]

The only suggestion I have atm is on the Ficus. If you don't want to spend a ton of research and money on it I would put it in a training pot with 100 pct package of Cactus Mix with a large moisture pan - the whole process will probably be under 20usd.

Which ficus are you referring to?

 

[GrimLore]

All of them, they can be a lot of fun while you wait for other types to establish and learn. We have one Willow leaf Ficus that has endured a mass amount of bending, pruning, etc. and they are all very forgiving once established. I suggested the pre mix bagged stuff because they simply don't seem to care and it is easier to figure out water and light requirements in your area and not get over burdened with soil choice. After a soil change like that or a 'big" move like in to outdoors they all seem to drop all leaves quickly but come back 2-5 times fuller so do not worry it. It is nice to have the ability to simply move a plant and let it knock off its' overgrowth naturally... very kind specimens indeed

 

[will0911]

I would put it in a training pot with 100 pct package of Cactus Mix with a large moisture pan - the whole process will probably be under 20usd. Keep it wet and bug free and play play play! I find them to be extremely tolerant to all kinds of crazy things once my Wife taught me how to keep them alive

I heard that stuff is not good for bonsai use. Just a thought, and if you were referring to my advice about soil, I wasn't trying to get him "hung up" on it. I was just letting him know...plants will grow in most soil, but a well draining soil is better. It allows more frequent watering and feeding depending on how well draining it is. If i had my trees in the soil he is using or that cactus stuff during this month of nothing but rain, then my trees would be very wet and saturated with water. It will compact the soil and when it dries out it creates the very opposite, which is hard, basically water resistant blah.

If you're going to use your current soil or the cactus soil i would be very careful about watering and maybe even keep my trees under something so the sun wouldn't dry it too much as to make it hard and impenetrable. just my thoughts and experience with that soil. Either way keep us updated on them!

 

[GrimLore]

If you're going to use your current soil or the cactus soil i would be very careful about watering and maybe even keep my trees under something so the sun wouldn't dry it too much as to make it hard and impenetrable. just my thoughts and experience with that soil. Either way keep us updated on them!

I don't think it is a worry based on his location understanding that Florida has a tendency to "bake" a lot of plants and soil so your point is valid for you. Not being argumentative just pointing out what works for us in different areas varies widely so he does not make himself crazy

 

[caseykckckc]

Ok so when I switch to a more inorganic soil in the spring how should I deal with the "clump" of organic soil the plant has root bound? Should I just pick it off?

 

[GrimLore]

Ok so when I switch to a more inorganic soil in the spring how should I deal with the "clump" of organic soil the plant has root bound? Should I just pick it off?

If you must repot leave what is on the roots be, don't rinse but brush off the loose by hand - my opinion of course...

 

[lordy]

This is the time of year to work on tropicals. If you are going to repot, do it now. If you are going to wire, make sure the tree is healthy. I would suggest you dont repot AND wire at the same time.
Since they will be living indoors when the night time temps hit 50F or so, move them inside for the winter. One exposure to a cold snap may not kill them, or even make them drop leaves, but it can certainly bring their activity level to a halt. Begin by preparing them slowly. Move them to the shade for a few hours several days before the first forcast of 50's or lower. Increase the time in the shade by an hour a day until you bring them in for good. That way they dont get so shocked by the severe drop in light they will be getting. Conversely, to avoid them dropping leaves in the spring and so they dont get sunburned, when the temps in the daytime are going to stay above 50 start by bringing them out for a couple hours in the morning, and gradually increase the amount of sun they get over a couple of weeks until they are getting full sun. Get them used to the sun slowly so they dont burn and bleach out the leaves. Dont ask me how I know this.

 

[caseykckckc]

Why is now the time to repot tropicals? Aren't you not supposed to in the middle of a growing season? Also should I leave the elm outside for most of the winter?

 

[will0911]

When were these trees last repotted? If and when you do decide to repot i would try to get most of the organics out the first go around. These aren't collected nor are they pines so you can basically bare root them when getting them into more of a "bonsai type" soil. You are going to have to rake the roots and or rinse them off. They aren't brittle...trees can stand these procedures easily if you follow the proper aftercare.

But, if they don't have a lot of roots when taking them out then they more than likely don't need to be repotted. However, ficus grow pretty fast so if they weren't repotted last year or this year chances are they should be repotted. You shouldn't have to cut alot of roots off if any because you're going to be placing them in bigger pots to grow out so maybe a slight trim on them but nothing drastic.

Anymore questions feel free to ask.

 

[caseykckckc]

When were these trees last repotted? If and when you do decide to repot i would try to get most of the organics out the first go around. These aren't collected nor are they pines so you can basically bare root them when getting them into more of a "bonsai type" soil. You are going to have to rake the roots and or rinse them off. They aren't brittle...trees can stand these procedures easily if you follow the proper aftercare.

But, if they don't have a lot of roots when taking them out then they more than likely don't need to be repotted. However, ficus grow pretty fast so if they weren't repotted last year or this year chances are they should be repotted. You shouldn't have to cut alot of roots off if any because you're going to be placing them in bigger pots to grow out so maybe a slight trim on them but nothing drastic.

Anymore questions feel free to ask.

I got a few from the nursery and put them into pots about a week ago. Currently I'm having a hard time finding bonsai substrate except for the bonsai mix soil they sell at some nurseries. I may just order a bag or turface and get some sand from the hardware store. Should I repot them now or wait till spring? They are in a good amount of organic soil but have been careful about watering them.