New to Bonsai Nut but not really new to bonsai (7-10 years-ish). I am in love with the Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and I am determined to grow one here in Middle Tennessee.
I have tried with 3 small specimens (less than 16" tall) before. I admit I was half-hazard and the results reflect that. I didn't protect them properly over winter, took a vacation and they dried out, etc... Nevertheless, I am determined to succeed.
Also, I didn't have ANY resources on the care of them, it hard to find. Which is why I was so excited to stumble across this site. There seems to have been a decent number of people attempting this and documenting here, which I am super grateful. That said I figured I would do the same and hopefully get some realtime advice as well. It takes a village sometime right?
The Tree:
I went bigger and bought a tree from Joe Welker
(Side note: not the greatest first impression of the man but, he does have great trees. And I see not everyone has had an awful experience with him so, maybe a bad day!)
I included a dimensions picture of the tree. Also:
- received in February 2020' (still 'winter' here) in a 6"x6" pot.
- It had a massive 1"-1.5" root that had been growing out a drainage hole, obviously they chopped it off.
- Pulled from the pot and it was completely "root bound" and absolutely impenetrable. It was like concrete.
- The foliage looked about like the dimensions photo (its only been a few weeks.)
What I have done:
Decided to repot, figure this year's growth would need the space. I didn't want to go crazy on the tree since I just received it, wanted to give it at least a season to acclimate to TN. I tried using my chopstick to lightly rough up the edges of the root ball, and saw really quickly it would take surgery to break anything up; I decided against it. I slip-potted it into a 9" wide x 8" round pot and used some of Welkers Sequoia Soil (trying to keep as many things normal as possible) & perlite. Wait and see.
So far its happy, there is some new growth starting to appear. Nothing on the trunk only the ends and some on the branches. And no real browning, yet!
Up Next / Questions / Honestly not sure:
- I don't mind a really tall "bonsai", like 36-48 inches. I actually like the large, slightly oversized potted trees.
- Not sure what to do about the zero foliage on the lower trunk, There is 14 inches of bare trunk. I have seen a post here where someone basically cut every branch back almost to the trunk lol... and it worked. But not going to lie, I'm terrified to do that.
- Should I wire down the lower branches and then shape up from there.
- Cut back branch and hope for new growth to sprout out.
- Should I just let it get super tall and then cut the top out and wire a new leader..... ugh decisions
- Looks like there was some new tiny new growth last season on the trunk but it all browned off.
- Not super happy about an 8" tall root ball. But I had rather have a living 8" root ball than a dead tree.
- So should I go ahead and put in a super-wide training pot and later shave off the bottom.
This is what I'm asking now, and fighting the urge to tinker with it this season. Feel free to post thoughts and experiences.
I have found and studied several threads here on the GS, so here is to hoping I found some people who love this species as much as I do!
P.S. I don't like failing (bonsai is the wrong hobby to be in, I know!) but it's my 4th tree, I want to see some personal progress here!!!!
I have tried with 3 small specimens (less than 16" tall) before. I admit I was half-hazard and the results reflect that. I didn't protect them properly over winter, took a vacation and they dried out, etc... Nevertheless, I am determined to succeed.
Also, I didn't have ANY resources on the care of them, it hard to find. Which is why I was so excited to stumble across this site. There seems to have been a decent number of people attempting this and documenting here, which I am super grateful. That said I figured I would do the same and hopefully get some realtime advice as well. It takes a village sometime right?
The Tree:
I went bigger and bought a tree from Joe Welker
(Side note: not the greatest first impression of the man but, he does have great trees. And I see not everyone has had an awful experience with him so, maybe a bad day!)
I included a dimensions picture of the tree. Also:
- received in February 2020' (still 'winter' here) in a 6"x6" pot.
- It had a massive 1"-1.5" root that had been growing out a drainage hole, obviously they chopped it off.
- Pulled from the pot and it was completely "root bound" and absolutely impenetrable. It was like concrete.
- The foliage looked about like the dimensions photo (its only been a few weeks.)
What I have done:
Decided to repot, figure this year's growth would need the space. I didn't want to go crazy on the tree since I just received it, wanted to give it at least a season to acclimate to TN. I tried using my chopstick to lightly rough up the edges of the root ball, and saw really quickly it would take surgery to break anything up; I decided against it. I slip-potted it into a 9" wide x 8" round pot and used some of Welkers Sequoia Soil (trying to keep as many things normal as possible) & perlite. Wait and see.
So far its happy, there is some new growth starting to appear. Nothing on the trunk only the ends and some on the branches. And no real browning, yet!
Up Next / Questions / Honestly not sure:
- I don't mind a really tall "bonsai", like 36-48 inches. I actually like the large, slightly oversized potted trees.
- Not sure what to do about the zero foliage on the lower trunk, There is 14 inches of bare trunk. I have seen a post here where someone basically cut every branch back almost to the trunk lol... and it worked. But not going to lie, I'm terrified to do that.
- Should I wire down the lower branches and then shape up from there.
- Cut back branch and hope for new growth to sprout out.
- Should I just let it get super tall and then cut the top out and wire a new leader..... ugh decisions
- Looks like there was some new tiny new growth last season on the trunk but it all browned off.
- Not super happy about an 8" tall root ball. But I had rather have a living 8" root ball than a dead tree.
- So should I go ahead and put in a super-wide training pot and later shave off the bottom.
This is what I'm asking now, and fighting the urge to tinker with it this season. Feel free to post thoughts and experiences.
I have found and studied several threads here on the GS, so here is to hoping I found some people who love this species as much as I do!
P.S. I don't like failing (bonsai is the wrong hobby to be in, I know!) but it's my 4th tree, I want to see some personal progress here!!!!
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