Dwarf Yaupon Holly Progression

[StoneCloud]

Figured I'd start a thread for this little guy.

This is a quick before and after of the first light trim. I was bored and wanted to take a little off to open the truck slightly, and get some light in there.

Not going to re pot yet, but will in the next week or so. I didn't do too much work this time because not 100% sure where I want to go with it.

But I love the trunk and roots and think it has very good potential.

BEFORE AFTER

 

[Relknes]

When you say repot, what do you mean? I think it is too early for a bonsai pot, if that's what you are thinking. The trunk needs to beef up a bit to not be dwarfed by those roots, in my opinion.
Speaking of which, nice roots! You might consider a "fairy tale" style to take advantage of them.

 

[StoneCloud]

When you say repot, what do you mean? I think it is too early for a bonsai pot, if that's what you are thinking. The trunk needs to beef up a bit to not be dwarfed by those roots, in my opinion.
Speaking of which, nice roots! You might consider a "fairy tale" style to take advantage of them.

No bonsai pot yet, just something a little sturdier. The pot it's in is very flimsy. Also to get the roots pruned and some better soil for it.

The roots are what got me, tbh I didn't even see the trunk until later!

 

[StoneCloud]

Update:

So it's been about 19 days since the last pics on here, and this thing is growing fast!!! That section that was broken and missing on the right side (you can see it in the first pictures a few posts up) has started to come back hard! So happy.

I've have trimmed it a few times. Little shaping but mostly to get rid of broken branches and branches crossing each other. Still more to do. It is filling in quickly here is a picture of it now:

 

[StoneCloud]

Chopped the trunk 1 month ago, and this is today........still a long way to go. It's growing fast though in the big pot....I'm teetering on repotting it very soon as well, to get rid of those extra roots that are stabbing my eyeballs and get it into a smaller pot.

 

[Anthony]

Stone cloud,

if you fertilise well for a month, you can go a little more extreme on root and branch removal.
Perhaps reduce to 3 or 6 branches.

I am not giving any suggestions on the root.
Try talking to @markyscott,
Good Day
Anthony

* Just in case your wondering they grow well down here and there about 4 or 5 around the lawn.
About 15 years or so. A local nursery brought in a bunch.
But K brought some in from a Lafayette nursery in 1980 and so we knew they would grow.
He gave all of the 3 away to encourage their growing as Bonsai down here.

 

[StoneCloud]

@Anthony thank you! I love ilex. They are wonderful and lend themselves to so many styles.

They grow as you said very well here and quick enough to clip and grow.

It just got repotted beginning of March and I was afraid to take off more roots but I think it can take a repot and prune again already. I'm itching lol.

I'm stuck on which branches to keep on this one.

 

[markyscott]

I don't recommend repotting now, but definitely do so next spring. It's potted really high and the tangled mass of big roots will take years to correct. Go slow and take your time. I've killed more trees from impatience than anything else. Best case is that it will survive and you'll get weak growth all year, losing a year of development. Just wait and do it at the right time.

In the meantime, here are a couple of resources for how to work on these trees - they make for great bonsai.

https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/collected-yaupon.21760/page-5
https://bonsaitonight.com/2016/07/26/developing-yaupon-holly-bonsai-a-tale-of-when-not-to-cut/

Scott

 

[StoneCloud]

@markyscott Thank you for checking me!!! I do have an issue with impatience not only in bonsai, but in life in general. Still working on it

I will wait. I really liked the trunk on this when I bought it, and knew the roots would be an issue, but I figured I could work them out. When I took it out of the 3 gallon container it came in, I removed 3/4 of the roots. I didn't want to remove more b/c there would have been so few feeder roots left, so I potted it high.

I appreciate the links and am reading them now!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Chopped the trunk 1 month ago, and this is today........still a long way to go. It's growing fast though in the big pot....I'm teetering on repotting it very soon as well, to get rid of those extra roots that are stabbing my eyeballs and get it into a smaller pot.

View attachment 145776

Looks like it got some new shoes...please...post a full on shot so I can admire it fully. Love the direction you took with it. Know nothing of the species...seen Scott recommend waiting. He must have overlooked the new pot it was in...in favor of looking at the tree. It happens...after care is key.

 

[markyscott]

Looks like it got some new shoes...please...post a full on shot so I can admire it fully. Love the direction you took with it. Know nothing of the species...seen Scott recommend waiting. He must have overlooked the new pot it was in...in favor of looking at the tree. It happens...after care is key.

As I understand it, the OP repotted it in March and is considering repotting again in May. I advised against that. January, February or March is a good time to repot yaupon in south Florida. March is the beginning of the growing season for Yaupon here in Houston. Generally they break bud by late March. By May, the spring shoots have hardened and it's no longer the safest time to repot.

Scott

 

[Cadillactaste]

As I understand it, the OP repotted it in March and is considering repotting again in May. I advised against that. January, February or March is a good time to repot yaupon in south Florida. March is the beginning of the growing season for Yaupon here in Houston. Generally they break bud by late March. By May, the spring shoots have hardened and it's no longer the safest time to repot.

Scott

Oh my! That would be signing the trees death certificate. Repotting twice in one year so close from when the roots are recovering from the last major strike against it!?! I guess I didn't grasp the entirety of the nature of the posters intent.

Patiences...what is that rule...one major incident a year on a tree. Repotting it in March was that major incident. Repotting now would be out of the question.

 

[StoneCloud]

@Cadillactaste. Here are the 4 sides of the tree

 

[StoneCloud]

@markyscott @Cadillactaste I know two repots in one season is a huge risk I've been toying with the idea because I'm impatient, and always push the limits (although too much sometimes)

I'm going to wait to repot until Feb as Marky suggested but deep down I think it can take another repot this summer...and the dark side of me almost wants to find out . I am a little crazy haha

 

[Cadillactaste]

Go buy yourself something that can be worked and leave this one be...there are reasons some rules apply. Health of the tree is where Americans drop the ball on their walk with bonsai. We are an impatient bunch. Health of a tree should be ones top priority...period. The rest then falls into place smoothly for bonsai technique. There is no dark side to bonsai...impatience isn't a dark side...it's a weakness in ourselves (Speaking from personal experience. I've grown a lot since then...)and to lose material from lessons learned is one thing. But to push the limit and disregard it's health another.

I wanna see pictures of the new material. That is your homework assignment from me. Make sure to tag me as well @StoneCloud .

 

[Cadillactaste]

My favorite front...going on the roots that you have.

 

[Anthony]

@Cadillactaste
What do you think Darlene ?

could be designed to keep the lean and a tree on a steep hill side maybe overlooking the ocean or a rocky ravine.
Would require the removal of one small root and it is balanced.
Then developing the canopy a bit.
Think Scottish highlands.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[Cadillactaste]

@Cadillactaste
What do you think Darlene ?

could be designed to keep the lean and a tree on a steep hill side maybe overlooking the ocean or a rocky ravine.
Would require the removal of one small root and it is balanced.
Then developing the canopy a bit.
Think Scottish highlands.
Good Day
Anthony

The rocky ravine...see so many like this during our hiking trips. Yup...I can see it. Good visual translation into words @Anthony. But I imagine an ocean scene as well. But my feet hit trails...instead of water scenes.

 

[StoneCloud]

Go buy yourself something that can be worked and leave this one be...there are reasons some rules apply. Health of the tree is where Americans drop the ball on their walk with bonsai. We are an impatient bunch. Health of a tree should be ones top priority...period. The rest then falls into place smoothly for bonsai technique. There is no dark side to bonsai...impatience isn't a dark side...it's a weakness in ourselves (Speaking from personal experience. I've grown a lot since then...)and to lose material from lessons learned is one thing. But to push the limit and disregard it's health another.

I wanna see pictures of the new material. That is your homework assignment from me. Make sure to tag me as well @StoneCloud .

Words of wisdom! You're right and I need to prioritize their health more and I will do that. I love the assignment you're on I have a bunch I'm working on, maybe I'll start myself a project thread.

Some new ones: Duranta, few ficus', bougy, schefflera, couple junipers, hibiscus, rosemary and avocado (although not so popular)

It's so funny because as I looked back at the pics I posted.......that picture made me think the same thing......that would be a nice front of the tree. we have the same taste (I like the cts-v )

Thank you for asking me to post more pics. This caused me to to shoot all angles which lead to this!

@Anthony Rocky Ravine Exactly!!!! This will be done.

Thank you both for the brainstorming I love it!

 

[Cadillactaste]

@StoneCloud Here it is...I'm going to break it to you...you need to sit down for this...






I am a jeep girl. I had to google your Cts-v... I currently own a Jeep Liberty but drool over the four door wranglers. But, hey we have bonsai in common. . The short end of the name sticking to me. A sales lady told my husband I had Cadillactaste for choosing their most expensive item in their store. I tend to like higher end things...to a degree. So...um-mm that is where the name came from. A salesclerk at a bed bath and beyond years ago. Lol

Can we still be friends?