12 yr Valley Oak grown from acorn

[Angryfluff]

Hello lovely Bonsai people,
I have been intrigued by bonsai since a very young age but have never tried anything what with life and my other plant obsessions- orchids, plumerias, etc. I have a 12 yr old Vally oak that I grew from an acorn in a pot that I am thinking of trying to turn into a bonsai. It’s stayed on the smaller side and I think has potential but I am not in anyway experienced in this art form. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Kind regards,
Katherine

 

[Pixar]

Any pictures please ??

 

[Angryfluff]

It’s night here so …I’ll take better pictures tomorrow

 

[19Mateo83]

It’s night here so …I’ll take better pictures tomorrow

Where is here at? Add your location to your profile so the fine folk here can give you proper, climate specific advice

 

[Angryfluff]

I’m in the mountains around Malibu, Ca. The oak I got the acorn from is a huge local beauty. I’ve had it in that pot basically it’s entire life.

 

[rollwithak]

It’s night here so …I’ll take better pictures tomorrow

That’s a 12 year!? Little guy huh!

 

[Mikecheck123]

That’s a 12 year!? Little guy huh!

Valley oaks get that big in 2 years, so I'm also confused.

 

[Angryfluff]

Valley oaks get that big in 2 years, so I'm also confused.

8-12 yr. I can’t remember the exact date and it’s small because I kept it in that pot I assumed. I moved a bit and I didn’t want to put it in the ground and leave it behind. I also had plans to maybe one day turn it into a bonsai. Should I plant it in the ground and let it grow bigger for a bit then work on turning it into a bonsai?

 

[Potawatomi13]

8-12 yr. I can’t remember the exact date and it’s small because I kept it in that pot I assumed. I moved a bit and I didn’t want to put it in the ground and leave it behind. I also had plans to maybe one day turn it into a bonsai. Should I plant it in the ground and let it grow bigger for a bit then work on turning it into a bonsai?

Very good idea. What is second plant in pot?

 

[Angryfluff]

Very good idea. What is second plant in pot?

It’s another oak that didn’t do as well but since I left them together when they were young their roots are all intertwined. That is probably another contributing factor as to why the other oak stayed small. I tried to separate them about a year ago when I repotted them but I wasn’t successful. I’ll try harder before putting them in the ground.

 

[ShadyStump]

It’s another oak that didn’t do as well but since I left them together when they were young their roots are all intertwined. That is probably another contributing factor as to why the other oak stayed small. I tried to separate them about a year ago when I repotted them but I wasn’t successful. I’ll try harder before putting them in the ground.

Um, that little one may very well be a keeper as is. Aged bark, a decent curve to the trunk. It's checking some boxes off all by itself.

 

[Angryfluff]

Um, that little one may very well be a keeper as is. Aged bark, a decent curve to the trunk. It's checking some boxes off all by itself.

I had not considered that! Now I just need to figure out how to separate them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ShadyStump]

Not much experience with oaks on my end, but I understand they can rebuild root mass fairly easily. If you have to you can just cut them apart, but avoid cutting more than necessary.

Read up all over the forum, and you'll get some ideas of just what to look for and what to do when you plant them. The little magnifying glass at the top right corner of your screen will search everything on the site.

 

[Wulfskaar]

I've got a few Valley Oak acorns in the soil since November. They have not popped up yet, but I did notice that they are growing taproots.

I really hope they grow larger than that in 12 years!

 

[Eckhoffw]

If it’s been in the pot that long, I’d say repot in a shallow grow box with nice course soil in spring. separate the little one and grow in another container. Let ‘em rock for a couple more years, then revisit.

 

[Huggz13]

I’m actually liking the little fella more to be honest.

 

[19Mateo83]

The little fella is cute but has potential!

 

[rollwithak]

It’s another oak that didn’t do as well but since I left them together when they were young their roots are all intertwined. That is probably another contributing factor as to why the other oak stayed small. I tried to separate them about a year ago when I repotted them but I wasn’t successful. I’ll try harder before putting them in the ground.

On the oak, I would massively cut back to try and get some back-budding so you can start cussing on that trunk…. Unless you are wanting to put it in a bigger pot and let the grow out more to thicken it more. I love oaks and have several pre bonsai that I’m working on. Many seasoned bonsai people stay away from them it seems, but I’m just so drawn to oak trees based on where o grew up. I commend your tree selection. Here’s a good video for ya….. best of luck my dude. Keep us posted !!!

 

[Potawatomi13]

I had not considered that! Now I just need to figure out how to separate them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Possibly will need to cut couple entangled roots to separate but should have plenty in pot. Best if can be done without bare root.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Can please add location/climate zone to profile?