Attila Soos
Omono
That's the key here: redwoods love to grow where you live, and everywhere else it's a struggle for them to survive...even if it's just a few hundred miles away.
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Shohin Costal Redwood
- Thread starter october
- Start date
That's the key here: redwoods love to grow where you live, and everywhere else it's a struggle for them to survive...even if it's just a few hundred miles away.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
The redwoods' native maritime habitat is extremely narrow and specific. It is a specialist, not a generalist in survival. It evolved to capitilize on ocean moisture and more or less stable moderate temperatures. Out in harsher climates, it's not as hardy.
Bill S
Masterpiece
Hopefully with that tree near(ish at least ) the coast in Mass. it will do well.
I am thinking it's one of those that wants you to wait to prune on lignified wood.
Good Luck Rob, but you have a great start.
I am thinking it's one of those that wants you to wait to prune on lignified wood.
Good Luck Rob, but you have a great start.
Attila Soos
Omono
This is probably the reason why the redwood, the king of all trees, has the reputation of being finnicky and unreliable, when growing outside its narrow habitat. When at home, it is almost undestructible, but the story quickly changes when growing away from the mellow and stable climate of the ocean.
"Specialist" is an excellent description.
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october
Masterpiece
Hello Attilla... I was planning to let the branches grow until they harden off.. I noticed that is seems that some cuts were made (not by me) on some of the young sub branching.. maybe it was just because the tips died or something. Also, in regards to letting it grow into a bush.. Actually, I usually let most of my trees get pretty bushy, this gives them the strength they need to be in peak health year after year.. I am complemented on the health of my bonsai often, which is very important to me..
Also, can you post some of your redwoods in the works. Also, if you have some comparisons or progress pics, I would love to see them... We do not see many redwood development pics around here or in general, for that matter.
Thanks Bil... This will be a good one...Even with the doomed cloud over it.
I have always been an advocate of protecting my trees, more than most people. I often talk about how I believe that people do not protect their trees enough. I delt with tropicals for years, before making the final switch to all hardy trees. In fact, I ended up selling all my tropicals and sub tropicals after having them for years...This Redwood will be in good hands.
Thank you Brian...I will definitely give this one special attention
Also, can you post some of your redwoods in the works. Also, if you have some comparisons or progress pics, I would love to see them... We do not see many redwood development pics around here or in general, for that matter.
Thanks Bil... This will be a good one...Even with the doomed cloud over it.
I have always been an advocate of protecting my trees, more than most people. I often talk about how I believe that people do not protect their trees enough. I delt with tropicals for years, before making the final switch to all hardy trees. In fact, I ended up selling all my tropicals and sub tropicals after having them for years...This Redwood will be in good hands.
Thank you Brian...I will definitely give this one special attention
Attila Soos
Omono
I'll take a picture or two this week, to show what I am working on right now.
october
Masterpiece
I look forward to seeing them..
Also, just noticed my typo in the title of this thread ..Coastal redwood, I forgot the a
Also, just noticed my typo in the title of this thread ..Coastal redwood, I forgot the a
bob shimon
Mame
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pruning and pinching redwoods
My experience is that there are two important rules to follow in developing redwoods as bonsai, even here on the northern coast of Calif where Zack and I collect them. First, as in most trees, they respond well to feeding. The tree needs to be healthy and strong when pinchig back. I even use a 0-10-10 during the months that it is not growing, Nov - Feb. I feel that it sets strong buds in the spring. The second is to pinch back and prune only when the tree is in its active growing time. Here it is spring to early summer and again in the fall. I think that another key is to keep the humidity up as much as possible and misting the foliage whenever watering.
Although they are relatively easy to develop here in our area, we have clients send us pictures of theirs from around the country, including the midwest and east coast. Of course they have to be wintered in these areas, but they have had success. Mr Mitsuya, Kathy Shaner's sensei, requested 12of them be sent to him in Japan, after working on them several times here in the states. It has been around 4 years and 11 of them are doing very well. When he was here last year, he said that he was going to enter one in KoKoFu soon. That would be neat.
My experience is that there are two important rules to follow in developing redwoods as bonsai, even here on the northern coast of Calif where Zack and I collect them. First, as in most trees, they respond well to feeding. The tree needs to be healthy and strong when pinchig back. I even use a 0-10-10 during the months that it is not growing, Nov - Feb. I feel that it sets strong buds in the spring. The second is to pinch back and prune only when the tree is in its active growing time. Here it is spring to early summer and again in the fall. I think that another key is to keep the humidity up as much as possible and misting the foliage whenever watering.
Although they are relatively easy to develop here in our area, we have clients send us pictures of theirs from around the country, including the midwest and east coast. Of course they have to be wintered in these areas, but they have had success. Mr Mitsuya, Kathy Shaner's sensei, requested 12of them be sent to him in Japan, after working on them several times here in the states. It has been around 4 years and 11 of them are doing very well. When he was here last year, he said that he was going to enter one in KoKoFu soon. That would be neat.
Attila Soos
Omono
Hi Bob,
I learned a lot from your advice since I made my last mistakes, now I fertilize them regularly and prune them only in late spring/early summer & end of September. All 5 trees purchased from you last year, are doing great and budding profusely.
Keeping them out of the hot sun here in So. Cal. also helps, they prefer morning sun and light shade for the rest of the day (in climates where there is less sun, this is not necessary).
I am planning to install automatic misters for them, so that a spray of mist comes on every few hours or so, in the summer.
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Attila Soos
Omono
That sounds incredibly exciting. A redwood in the Kokufu-ten!
By the way, what size of material did Mr. Mitsuya prefer? What do you think is the best size for really high quality redwood bonsai?
I am thinking that if this year my trees are responding well to what I learned, I need to go past the small- and medium size that I currently work with, and start to tackle the large ones (two-men bonsai). I know you have some great material in the larger sizes.
Bob, what is your experience regarding working with various sizes of redwood? Is there a big difference in the way you approach a small one versus a large one?
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october
Masterpiece
Thanks Bob for the tips. Actually, I use the misting feature on my hose nozzle for most of my trees and I have been very conscious that the redwood is getting misted as well.......
I think we are gonna need some pics here. I am trying to picture all these amazing redwoods being discussed...... Less talking, more pictures...lol
Rob
I think we are gonna need some pics here. I am trying to picture all these amazing redwoods being discussed...... Less talking, more pictures...lol
Rob
Smoke
Ignore-Amus
OK....bad post I know...
I have had so many shohin redwood from the Shimon's that it would make your head spin. I do not know of any shohin redwoods in the valley nor do I know of any killer trees outside of the actuall growing area.
In my experience, These trees require a coastal environment to thrive. Cool nights, cool summers, fog, and breeze. If you have none of the above you will fight this tree for it's shortened life. I have seen larger trees kept in bonsai pots for extended periods of time here in the valley but they never look like a redwood from the coast.
Redwoods grow like weeds. The branching on a shohin will never be proportionate to the trees size due to it growing so fast. Branching will have to be cut back and smaller shoots trained continually. With out the cool nights, cool summers and foggy summers, the foliage on these wil become coarse. And I mean coarse. Pinching is of no use because the new part grows out soft and lacy but shows terrible against the old foliage which lignifies quite fast and become coarse and brittle. Wireing will hold its shape pretty well and fast due to fast growth.
I have been to bonsai shows in Nevada, Oregon and California. I have been to at least nearly every show California has to offer. I have seen many good exhibits around the nation either in books or on the web. You hardly see good redwoods. When you do see good redwoods they are from the Redwood Empire exhibit or Bay Area Bonsai or East Bay. Mostly the same people showing the same trees at each club they belong to.
When redwoods are cultured at the prime growing places in California, and the artist has a good understanding of how they grow, and also is an excellent artist...the result is sublime. Redwoods without a doubt are some of the most beautiful bonsai trees I know. Wish I could grow them here I would have one in a heart beat!
I believe this tree belongs to Bob Shimon. Bravo Bob. See you in November at Marriot!
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bob shimon
Mame
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redwood bonsai
Let me see if I can cover the prior questions and comments since my last post. The ones sent to Mitsuya are in the 12-14" range, mostly due to the ease of getting them there. Kathy took 6 and another friend took 6 on their flight to Japan. When he is in the states he likes to work on larger ones. There is a picture of him in the issue before last in Golden Statements working on a larger redwood. The picture of my redwood that was posted is about 29" tall, and to me that is a great size. I am going to attempt to attach a picture of one that I did as a demo for the Napa club about 6 years ago. They didn't want to have to buy it for their raffle ($175), and I was happy to keep it. It is about 18" tall. My preference is ones with lots of dead wood or driftwood style. I find them much more interesting then the formal uprights. I do have a large formal upright, however the base is very unusual.
I would agree that shohins are probably the most difficult size to develop, mainly because being in a small container is a challange keeping them moist enough. Having said that, I have seen them outside our area. A fella in Arizona sent me a picture of a shohin that was growing very well, however he had a misting sytem set up. Greg McDonald has a very nice one and lives east of Sacramento. I guess my advice is that if you want a redwood bonsai, start with something larger than a shohin.
Let me see if I can cover the prior questions and comments since my last post. The ones sent to Mitsuya are in the 12-14" range, mostly due to the ease of getting them there. Kathy took 6 and another friend took 6 on their flight to Japan. When he is in the states he likes to work on larger ones. There is a picture of him in the issue before last in Golden Statements working on a larger redwood. The picture of my redwood that was posted is about 29" tall, and to me that is a great size. I am going to attempt to attach a picture of one that I did as a demo for the Napa club about 6 years ago. They didn't want to have to buy it for their raffle ($175), and I was happy to keep it. It is about 18" tall. My preference is ones with lots of dead wood or driftwood style. I find them much more interesting then the formal uprights. I do have a large formal upright, however the base is very unusual.
I would agree that shohins are probably the most difficult size to develop, mainly because being in a small container is a challange keeping them moist enough. Having said that, I have seen them outside our area. A fella in Arizona sent me a picture of a shohin that was growing very well, however he had a misting sytem set up. Greg McDonald has a very nice one and lives east of Sacramento. I guess my advice is that if you want a redwood bonsai, start with something larger than a shohin.
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Brian Underwood
Chumono
Alright, here are a couple I did in 08. I was tempted not to post since they are almost embarrassing... I have since given up on the shohin size for redwood, simply because I didn't like any I saw or worked on. Please pardon the hand modeling, it was just for size reference...
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Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
I still hate you all. Amazing trees.
Bill S
Masterpiece
Hang on to that passion Ryan.pic 2 says not a bad job.
Brian Underwood
Chumono
How is the redwood doing October?
bonsai barry
Omono
Awesome tree. One of the best sequoia I've seen in any size category. Have you had any problems with die back?
october
Masterpiece
Hello Brain and Bonsai Barry.. The Redwood is doing well....I kept it in my hallway where is was between about 48-60. However, I noticed that after some really cold outside temps.. The tips were beginning to turn a bit brown. So now when it gets really cold, I just bring it in the apartment at night. My apartment is cold at night, 59-61 degrees, so there is no real temp differences. So, I guess that it is true,, the tree does not really like temps below 50.
I will begin feeding it soon. ..The tree is due for a repot and heavy trim
I will begin feeding it soon. ..The tree is due for a repot and heavy trim
Brian Underwood
Chumono
Temps below 50 are fine, but the humidity is usually the biggest issue. As long as temps don't stay around or below freezing for long periods of time they are usually ok. Maybe a small greenhouse is in order?
