3 Hawthorns

[houterig]

I am new here (at least to posting), hello. I have been reading for some time in bonsai and would like to proceed but I dont want to buy into finished or half-finished bonsai tree's, I want to build my own (not from seed though). I am not in a hurry and I just want to give myself the feeling that I build something myself.

I collected these 3 in januari 2023. They are from a hedge that was going to be removed. I believe it's crataegus monogyna
I've cut them back more that winter but no picture.




This is now in end of august 2024
They were alot bigger, i've had to cut some long shoots of because I could not get close to them to lift the pot. They grew like crazy.

Hawthorn 1

Single trunk, 4cm thick


Hawthorn 2

Single trunk, 3cm thick


Hawthorn 3

Double trunk, 2cm and 5cm,wich is splitting in 3 trunks, 2cm thick each.


As you can see they are not planted properly in the pot and some stick out way too much (alot of root above soil). I was afraid when I put them to cut of too much root back then, and had to tie them tightly into the pot to make them fit, I dont remember anymore but there might be huge roots hiding in there.
The pot they are in now is 38cm in diameter and 16cm tall.
I used a chopstick to penetrate the soil today, it was very compact and water just ran of it. It is fine and loose now again, roots also growing from under the pot.
Soilmix is bark, perlite, diatomeceous earth and probably some (not much) original soil.

I didnt really know what I had to do back then but im glad they grew good and survived.
I am new to bonsai but am quite used to potplants (I collect japanese maples).

Looking for help in how to move forward next year.

Trunkchop again and remain in this pot (if so, where to cut), maybe wait for proper pictures when the leaves have dropped.
Take out the pot and put it back in properly with reduced roots
Take out the pot and put it back in properly with reduced roots and trunkchop
Take out the pot and reduce the root, put it in a smaller pot (not tiny) and trunkchop

Open for all ideas, I still have a lot of time

 

[Shibui]

Great that you have discovered that hawthorn are very easy to transplant. Roots can be reduced severely with no problem so you should have no problem reducing the roots as much as needed in spring. I also have no problem with root reduction and trunk chop at the same time.
I think I would reduce roots and return these trees to the same, or even larger pots to grow and develop for the next few years at least.

I would not be moving any of these trees into smaller pots until you have developed some good branches. Small pots definitely reduce the amount of growth but you still need growth to form the new branches and a new apex for these trees.