Flipkronikz
Sapling
What is everyone's opinion on this hinoki? I'm thinking trunk this month and then repot spring 2023 or 2024.
Clearance hinoki 6ft twin trunk
- Thread starter Flipkronikz
- Start date
Flipkronikz
Sapling
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Very leggy with little taper.
Also very sparse foliage so I question how strong it is at the moment.
They reportedly do not back bud well.
This will be a difficult tree to make a bonsai out of
Also very sparse foliage so I question how strong it is at the moment.
They reportedly do not back bud well.
This will be a difficult tree to make a bonsai out of
Flipkronikz
Sapling
So you're telling me there is still a chance!
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Honestly, it's not worth the effort, I'd return it or plant it in your yard as a landscape tree.
As you get more experience, you'll learn the reasons why I say this.
Flipkronikz
Sapling
I'd still like to try though. I'd rather not return and I already have big maple in the middle of my yard. Should I trunk chop now and repot in the spring or trunk chop in fall/winter and then repot in the spring if it survives?
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Repot next spring,
Feed like crazy next year to get it strong
Chop in early spring 2024 before new growth starts
D
Deleted member 32750
Guest
What exactly are you planning on chopping to? If you are hoping on this hinoki to bud from where you chop, I’m afraid you will be very disappointed.
Flipkronikz
Sapling
I plan on chopping near the lower branches. Near the middle set of branches
Eckhoffw
Masterpiece
Maybe plant it up just for a couple- few years. Chop one trunk midway up and see how it responds.
Flipkronikz
Sapling
I may chop both evenly, unevenly, chop one or the other. All I can do now is wait for now until anything major is done.
DavidBoren
Mame
I would not chop either trunk below their lowest branches, and even then I would leave a few inches above.
dddsss
Seedling
Hinoki's are notorious for not back budding very well. It is generally advisable to leave/preserve as much foliage as possible. If cut back where no foliage is left, there is a very high chance that the branch/trunk will die.
Kanorin
Omono
Best case scenario for this tree is that in ~5 years you can get this to something resembling a healthy pre-bonsai.
Most people would opt to just buy a healthy pre-bonsai and skip the 5 year wait, but maybe @Flipkronikz likes long term projects. It will be that.
My advice would be to strongly fertilize to encourage as much growth as possible for the remainder of the year. Holster that saw until next year. Then if you want to keep both trunks, next late-winter or spring: chop 2 inches above the lowest branch with green foliage for each of the trunks. Then spin around, throw some salt over your shoulder and participate in whatever other good-luck ritual you choose as you wait another full 12 months before doing anything major to the tree again.
Most people would opt to just buy a healthy pre-bonsai and skip the 5 year wait, but maybe @Flipkronikz likes long term projects. It will be that.
My advice would be to strongly fertilize to encourage as much growth as possible for the remainder of the year. Holster that saw until next year. Then if you want to keep both trunks, next late-winter or spring: chop 2 inches above the lowest branch with green foliage for each of the trunks. Then spin around, throw some salt over your shoulder and participate in whatever other good-luck ritual you choose as you wait another full 12 months before doing anything major to the tree again.
You could try airlayering some branches and make new trees out of this tree. Next option could be to learn grafting and try to graft new little branches to the bottom portion of trunks and develop them in few years to new branches. If you will be successfull then you can chop the tree to new established branches. And be patient, do not hurry up chopping.
