Dwarf Alberta Spruce Suggestions?

[99 Mile Creek]

This is my first coniferous tree. I found a decent-sized Dwarf Alberta Spruce at a local Lowes and spent a few hours on this.

I was missing a larger gauge wire for the branches, so ordered some. I also have a large bonsai soil premix coming in.

Should I plant it in bonsai soil or leave it be?

I was curious if the limbs are too long? Should I grow the trunk thicker in the nursery pot, or is it about as thick as it will get and rehome into a bonsai pot? Though, the trunk was much thicker than anticipated under the soil but it all present now.

Otherwise, this is the first time I've pruned so much in an attempt at making a 'pre-bonsai.' I hope it turned out okay. Any tips, please, I'm opened to constructive criticism.

 

[pandacular]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Should I plant it in bonsai soil or leave it be?

This tree should not be repotted until it’s quite vigorous. Definitely not this year, and only next year if it has a rather strong response. There are many, many dead examples of this cultivar, Picea glauca 'Conica', on this board, and many of them seem to have been pruned and repotted in the same season. They are a dwarf variety--that means slow growth, which means sow recovery.

There are several examples of what people have done with them in the 2020 Christmas tree contest threads

The 2020 Three Year Christmas Tree Contest

For entries to the Christmas Tree Contest 2020-2023

www.bonsainut.com

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

This tree should not be repotted until it’s quite vigorous. Definitely not this year, and only next year if it has a rather strong response. There are many, many dead examples of this cultivar, Picea glauca 'Conica', on this board, and many of them seem to have been pruned and repotted in the same season. They are a dwarf variety--that means slow growth, which means sow recovery.

There are several examples of what people have done with them in the 2020 Christmas tree contest threads

The 2020 Three Year Christmas Tree Contest

For entries to the Christmas Tree Contest 2020-2023

www.bonsainut.com

Thanks for the advice.

When I had it out of the pot to scrap the topsoil away from the hidden trunk, I was left with a massive root ball and taproot exposed. The taproot will need to be slowly reduced overtime due to its growth pattern and thickness, I think -- but I did not touch it. I did trim one side, though, so that it sat at an angle to align with the apex I chose for this material.

I'll leave it in the soil it came in, and hopefully it stays relatively healthy. I will keep this thread updated on its progress.

Thank you for the link to the Christmas tree contest and direction on this little guy.

 

[PowerTap]

This is my first coniferous tree. I found a decent-sized Dwarf Alberta Spruce at a local Lowes and spent a few hours on this.

I was missing a larger gauge wire for the branches, so ordered some. I also have a large bonsai soil premix coming in.

Should I plant it in bonsai soil or leave it be?

I was curious if the limbs are too long? Should I grow the trunk thicker in the nursery pot, or is it about as thick as it will get and rehome into a bonsai pot? Though, the trunk was much thicker than anticipated under the soil but it all present now.

Otherwise, this is the first time I've pruned so much in an attempt at making a 'pre-bonsai.' I hope it turned out okay. Any tips, please, I'm opened to constructive criticism.

For this tree you are past the repot window for this year you already have new growth extending. Around late may / June I'd cut back the new shoots to half their length. In fall pluck a few needles farther back which can stimulate new buds closer to the trunk.

 

[We're all Mad Here...🎩]

Ryan from Mirai did an episode where he turned an upright pine into something pretty cool. Obviously different species, but yes listen to others who've come before you on advice on certain tree types. The nice thing about spruce in my short experience is they bend easily, but also like to laugh at you and go back quite easily, too. Personally I'm on year three, and though I've definitely cut my fair share back, I still have pretty much every plant in a nursery-style potting mix so I can get a feel for keeping them alive and, equally important, alive throughout ️. Just starting to get to a point where I want to transfer some, but for some reason am being more patient, or perhaps cautious, than I imagined!

Have fun

 

[ERClover]

I repotted one into pure Napa 8822 and it seems to love it, has budded profusely the last 2 years. It’s hopeless style wise though, one of my first styling experiments.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Welcome. My advice echoes PowerTap. I would let recover before repotting now. I would also watch videos on, read info on, and redo your wiring when the time is right. You have some major no nos with your wire work. (criss crossing, loose wires, girdling...). I wire spruce amd confiers after they have flushed out and needles have hardened. Late summer into fall is a good time as branches are lignifying and tightening.

Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

This tree should not be repotted until it’s quite vigorous. Definitely not this year, and only next year if it has a rather strong response. There are many, many dead examples of this cultivar, Picea glauca 'Conica', on this board, and many of them seem to have been pruned and repotted in the same season. They are a dwarf variety--that means slow growth, which means sow recovery.

There are several examples of what people have done with them in the 2020 Christmas tree contest threads

The 2020 Three Year Christmas Tree Contest

For entries to the Christmas Tree Contest 2020-2023

www.bonsainut.com

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Thank you for all the helpful advice, everyone.

It seems with time and patience and letting the trees be to grow without interference, there is ample time for reading up on bonsai for further education.

I'm on the hunt for a good bonsai book, or two...