Shohin/Mame Bonsai Question

[Tidal Bonsai]

I saw this video weeks ago, and I am hooked on Shohin (and maybe Mame too ). The question I had was about his comment on cutting an already established tree short, and regrowing the canopy over years. When would the best time be to do this? I am guessing in late summer/fall when the tree goes dormant. Also, is this a technique for only descidious trees? I live in zone 7b if it makes any difference.

 

[Adair M]

Starting with a larger tree and cutting it back and regrowing new branches is the typical way to get Shohin. Of any variety.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Is there an optimal time of the year for this?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Depends what species of tree you're working with. Each has a different set of requirements, whether they're big or small.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Is there general guideline for:
Pines (black/white)
Junipers (Shinpaku)
Maples
Elms
Flowering varieties (Azalea, Quince, Cotoneaster dammerii)
Fruiting varieties (pomegranate, cherry, crabapple)

These are all varieties that I saw and thought looked great!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Is there general guideline for:
Pines (black/white)
Junipers (Shinpaku)
Maples
Elms
Flowering varieties (Azalea, Quince, Cotoneaster dammerii)
Fruiting varieties (pomegranate, cherry, crabapple)

These are all varieties that I saw and thought looked great!

Yes there are. Read about each species from people who have trees you admire and do what they do. Shohin is a tough subsection of the art, every leaf and twig counts, as the small scale means no room for error. Careful, small pots can get expensive quickly! Here is a small shohin display I put together for our local show last month. Corkbark black pine, J. Maple clump, Chinese Elm, and Shimpaku juniper.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

That's a beautiful display! If you wouldn't mind can you give me tips/tricks on the species you have shown. Black Pine, Japanese Maple, Shimpaku, and Chinese Elm are a good starting point.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

That's a beautiful display! If you wouldn't mind can you give me tips/tricks on the species you have shown. Black Pine, Japanese Maple, Shimpaku, and Chinese Elm are a good starting point.

I don't mind at all. In fact I write about it every week:
https://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/