Brand New To Bonsai - First Bald Cypress
- Thread starter UrbanNJPlants
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GGB
Masterpiece
I've found that bald cypress grow like weeds. At least when they're young. It's officially a long long term project but that giant root ball will be feeding the tiny stump and you may get back on track pretty quickly.I'd Probably at the 4.5 inch mark. I'd keep what I could, you'll have so much growing to do at this point the base will thicken further. That's just me, If you'd consider a twin trunk style maybe the 1 or 2 inch mark but you'll need two good leaders. Which you'll proabably get. No wrong answer really, but you have almost 5 inches of thick trunk, why back track any further, I think BC can look great even when they aren't real bulky so I'm not as traditional.
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
Thanks that's interesting to know. Amazing how many are in the swamps in SC. Very cool looking species imo but I agree prob a tough grow here esp since I don't have a massive lot that I live on.
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
@gcb I'm gonna take your advice and do a cut tomorrow or the next day. I need to get some sealer first. Would you cut flat or on a slight angle down etc. I'm much like you I enjoy breaking the norm.
StoneCloud
Omono
Not going to tell ya to chop or not to chop, but if you do......
Definitely seal the wound, or its a pretty definite you'll get die back.
Definitely seal the wound, or its a pretty definite you'll get die back.
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
Its getting cut for certain, I will be sure to take your advice as well.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I hope I didn't insult you.
I am all for your win!
However...(sorry I should have found a way to word this into the first post....)
This...
Especially "hand watered" , kind of sounds like "mediocre" isn't what y'all do!
(stay awesome compliment!)
BC is about the only tree I feel this way about...
I had to stop myself from buying one the other day...
Hell....I have one down the block I am always tempted to take a cutting of.....it's so pretty!
But then I remember my kids and probly even my unborn grandkids will be dead by the time it's more than a sidegaited shittzu!
Elm!
Sorce
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
Why? this trunk is far from being much. chopping it will slow things down considerably.
M. Frary
Bonsai Godzilla
Because just letting it grow for years isn't what he wants to hear.
He's new and excited so he's going to take the advice of the other new people.
Who are new and excited to be able to think they are helping him.
If it were me I wouldn't even look at a bald cypress. I would go to the juniper section.
I bought 2 of these on clearance at WM for 13 bucks.. One planted in the new grow bed
and chopped much of the top. I'm getting growth below the graft of original stock which I'm trying to develop. Noticeably different branching. Not skyward as above the chop/graft.
and chopped much of the top. I'm getting growth below the graft of original stock which I'm trying to develop. Noticeably different branching. Not skyward as above the chop/graft.
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
No worries no offense taken at all. I'm a straight shooter as well so sometimes I come off rough around the edges even when its not meant. The hand watering I just mean we take the time to go around and care for our plants as needed. Our outdoor beds get weeded every couple days, water can watering for many of the plants etc. Not just throwing a sprinkler outside and calling it a day. We prefer to take the time to look over the plants while watering, its also the time my wife and I get to just decompress and talk about life since she works very long hours at her job. As far as the BC goes, had I known all of this prior I would have passed on it as a first tree but it was bought and no point wasting it. I never knew it was such a controversial species of tree till finding out here.
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
@M. Frary
Its not that I'm just taking the advise of other new people. I'm in no rush to have immediate results. I took the advise of those who had responded up to that time which imo is fair to do. Having more responses today leads me to more choices and I will think about things some more.
@rockm I guess the answer is that the upright design of the grafted species wasn't going to work so it was suggested to chop and start fresh to gain the org BC species. While I completely get what people are saying I am beyond brand new to the world of Bonsai and am spending hours a day reading, watching videos etc to try to learn and it seems there are many many many different ways that the art is done. I'm thankful to have a great source here on Bonsai Nut to be able to reach out to other people for thoughts and techniques. As stated above it seems this species is just not a great one to use nursery stock for such so I guess it wasn't the best choice to pick this one up. I'm all ear for what every anyone has to say further on the topic. I have not chopped it at this point and prob wouldn't for a few days anyways if I did as we're in a slight heat wave here so no point stressing it that much when I have plenty of time.
Overall I want to thank each of you for your input as well as ask that you please share any additional thoughts / concerns you have on this one. I am taking everyones thoughts into consideration.
Its not that I'm just taking the advise of other new people. I'm in no rush to have immediate results. I took the advise of those who had responded up to that time which imo is fair to do. Having more responses today leads me to more choices and I will think about things some more.
@rockm I guess the answer is that the upright design of the grafted species wasn't going to work so it was suggested to chop and start fresh to gain the org BC species. While I completely get what people are saying I am beyond brand new to the world of Bonsai and am spending hours a day reading, watching videos etc to try to learn and it seems there are many many many different ways that the art is done. I'm thankful to have a great source here on Bonsai Nut to be able to reach out to other people for thoughts and techniques. As stated above it seems this species is just not a great one to use nursery stock for such so I guess it wasn't the best choice to pick this one up. I'm all ear for what every anyone has to say further on the topic. I have not chopped it at this point and prob wouldn't for a few days anyways if I did as we're in a slight heat wave here so no point stressing it that much when I have plenty of time.
Overall I want to thank each of you for your input as well as ask that you please share any additional thoughts / concerns you have on this one. I am taking everyones thoughts into consideration.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
If you're going to chop below the graft, that will leave you with not much to trunk left. That will mean you will have to plant this out (again) for five years or more, to get the new leader to match up to the diameter of the lower trunk.
I'm not convinced this is a graft that can't be worked with. It's not all that noticeable and the foliage isn't that much different than that on the scion.
Nursery stock BC is fine. I've made bonsai from it, as well as collected trees. However, knowing WHICH piece of nursery stock will work is more than half the battle. That can come with experience, though.
As for this tree, I'd leave it as is and chop it higher at about a foot next spring. I'd also start branching from scratch to, so removing all of them next spring might also be considered. BC will regrow branches easily. That will leave you a beanpole to start with, which will sprout advantageous new buds on the trunk . I'd watch those and keep the ones that have the best locations on the trunk...
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
@rockm Thank you very much. I have chosen to wait and not chop it currently. I agree after looking at it more today It does seem the branching is not all that different then currently and I don't know if it would be worth going down to 5" to start fresh on this tree. Whats your thoughts on repotting ? Its currently pushing out the bottom holes of the pot by several inches. I can use a larger standard flower pot or I can build something up out of some pressure treated lumber to grow it in. I'm all ears on your thoughts and again thanks for the tips / info.
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
You could slip pot it into a slightly larger container, but I wouldn't disturb the roots too much. I'd use plain old potting soil and some sharp sand or mulch with small diameter at a 70/30 mix with the 70 being the potting soil. Potting soil is very bad for most species we use for bonsai, since it holds waay too much water, but BC like soggier soil and it won't them.
This winter, you can mulch the tree into a garden bed or protected spot in the backyard. Cover the pot with shredded hardwood mulch up to about three inches of the trunk.
This winter, you can mulch the tree into a garden bed or protected spot in the backyard. Cover the pot with shredded hardwood mulch up to about three inches of the trunk.
Why not as a first conifer/tree? Along with dawn redwoods and maybe larches they are the most forgiving
coniferous species. Almost trouble and pests free.
StoneCloud
Omono
From his initial post it sounded like this would be his first bonsai tree. On that information I didn't think it's the best choice as his first bonsai tree. Not b/c they are hard to take care of, they're easy but because it's a slow tree and this particular one may not bring him what he is looking for. So along with that I suggested he get a few trees this way he can stay busy and learn with a bunch of trees....
He later explained he already had a few trees and many plants.
I love BC they are one of my favorite trees. However the really good ones are few and far between, but they are all great!
UrbanNJPlants
Seedling
Thanks again for all the help
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
happy to do it. Good luck with the tree.
Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
If you want it to get some girth quickly, after you get it potted up, put the pot in a container of water up to the soil level. I do this during the summer months, they really like it, and grow like crazy.
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