Finally got the hang of it

[KennedyMarx]

After a few years of messing around with my plants I think I'm finally at the point where I've learned how to treat my plants so they're actually healthy and able to be worked on. Some of you guys that have been into bonsai for a while probably don't even think about it, but it is a nice feeling.

All of my junipers have runners shooting out, the maples are sending out their growth flushes, the ficus are dense full of leaves and making aerial roots. I've still got a bougainvillea that was one of the first trees I bought thinking I could grow it out in my climate and this year it's grown runners around three feet long. I'm still figuring out the pines though

 

[JudyB]

Just be careful, because after you think you have it all figured out, you become bold. And then you learn all over again that you can't push it too hard. (the voice of personal experience talking..)

 

[Geo]

Speaking of "getting the hang". Here I am , in what could be called Ficus country (there are 2 endemic plus the imports), and I only have one. A benjamina, which was foisted on me. Only one big problem. Humidity. For most of the year, we don't know that word. So, as I am an admirer of areal root-age: how can I start developing that , or am I doomed to bare trunk Ficus? Put it in a bag? Wrap the trunk in coir? No sphagnum here.
Sorry for the semi hijack.
I should also say to you,KennedyMarx:"Congratulations on having that feeling. There is nada more important than keeping the trees under your care healthy! Love to walk out and see all that burgeoning going on! Without that, there is no path forward. Then, of course we screw up with the training. But that is another story. Cheers on your good emotion."

George.

 

[Smoke]

why is that damn voice loudest after its too late?

 

[Geo]

Because there is always "next time". Or I really hope so, anyway.

 

[M. Frary]

why is that damn voice loudest after its too late?

It's mad. Because you first listened to the other voice that whispered"It'll be O.K. if you just take a few more roots off."

 

[sorce]

Awesome KM.
Of course, without pics......?

I think next year I will be there.
With nothing I care about dying.

Sorce

 

[KennedyMarx]

Here are a couple pics I took earlier.

 

[KennedyMarx]

And the bougainvillea.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Now it's time to start testing the limits...finding the edges...they're further out with healthy trees!

 

[leatherback]

Just be careful, because after you think you have it all figured out, you become bold. And then you learn all over again that you can't push it too hard.

Second that experience. I thought I could get some trees to develop faster, and worked them too hard last fall. They are still recovering, and I can start all over on one of them