I never understood how amazing trees are until I got ahold of bonsai! My first spring with bonsai has brought me such a better understanding of a tree, something I never really cared about, or thought about for most of my life. I went all in at the end of last summer after acquiring a small ficus from a garden center and decided bonsai is something I want to the rest of my life.
so In my buying bonsai like crazy period I purchased this Texas cedar elm from wigerts bonsai. when I got it ( first picture) it wasn’t that full and didn’t grow at all the rest of the year. In the winter I repoted it into a much larger pot changing the front and angle.The roots were a mess and in black soil. I cut probably 70% of the roots off, put it in pure bonsai soil and had a nightmare time wiring it into the pot. I thought there was good chance I killed the tree. But all I could do is wait until spring. So I waited…… and I remember at the end of march seeing little swells on the branches and then they turned white on the tips, then before I knew it it had buds all over. Then leaves just started pushing and pushing and wow. I’m just amazed, so many leaves so quickly. I just wasn’t expecting it but I love it. But now I’m like what do I do.
One idea from my bonsai club teacher is to air layer the top off to form a clump style bonsai, and leave the branch pointed out in red in picture as the new leader for an apex giving the tree better overall taper. It’s an idea I’m def considering which was one reason I put in such a big pot but now i just love to watch it grow I feel like it’s my first spring ever and Im just kinda amazed at the beauty you know. An air layer and big cut would just be unsightly for some time but I understand that’s bonsai and in the long run might be the right decision. So any input on a direction to take this tree would be appreciate. just in case I do have sphagnum moss coming in on Monday. The joy of bonsai!
so In my buying bonsai like crazy period I purchased this Texas cedar elm from wigerts bonsai. when I got it ( first picture) it wasn’t that full and didn’t grow at all the rest of the year. In the winter I repoted it into a much larger pot changing the front and angle.The roots were a mess and in black soil. I cut probably 70% of the roots off, put it in pure bonsai soil and had a nightmare time wiring it into the pot. I thought there was good chance I killed the tree. But all I could do is wait until spring. So I waited…… and I remember at the end of march seeing little swells on the branches and then they turned white on the tips, then before I knew it it had buds all over. Then leaves just started pushing and pushing and wow. I’m just amazed, so many leaves so quickly. I just wasn’t expecting it but I love it. But now I’m like what do I do.
One idea from my bonsai club teacher is to air layer the top off to form a clump style bonsai, and leave the branch pointed out in red in picture as the new leader for an apex giving the tree better overall taper. It’s an idea I’m def considering which was one reason I put in such a big pot but now i just love to watch it grow I feel like it’s my first spring ever and Im just kinda amazed at the beauty you know. An air layer and big cut would just be unsightly for some time but I understand that’s bonsai and in the long run might be the right decision. So any input on a direction to take this tree would be appreciate. just in case I do have sphagnum moss coming in on Monday. The joy of bonsai!
. I also just thought I may try to air layer the branch pictured as practice just to build some confidence.
