Flowerhouse Ponderosa #2 request for guidance

[Flowerhouse]

Collected in 2021. Before collection the first section of the trunk was closer to upright. The angle in the pot was to accommodate the roots. The apex of the trunk is about 22".

The tree has made a bunch of right turns in its life. A branch, or the main trunk (hard to tell) crosses in front of the trunk, with the smaller branches generally in a clockwise swirl. One branch passes through the arch of the trunk to the back.

The back. The stub pointing upper left is a former apex.
Gnarly bark.


What would you do if this were yours? I'd like to repot it next spring. I'm open to a planting angle change, major reduction of the top. What about chopping off the crossing branch , leaving only the right side of the tree. It starts with another tight loop-de-loop, but it has 7 main growth tips and a couple of starter tips.

 

[shohin_branches]

I would get that foliage looking at better shade of green. Kinda concerned about the health of the tree. What is your fertilizer routine?

 

[Guy Smiley]

Ponderosas are pretty slow growing trees. I would take a few years to focus on the health of the tree before making big styling changes or repotting. Grow the needles long and wait until you have a full set of green needles before styling or repotting.

 

[Flowerhouse]

I would get that foliage looking at better shade of green. Kinda concerned about the health of the tree. What is your fertilizer routine?

This year it's getting Miracle Gro per label directions once a week. Last year it was getting fish emulsion and the older foliage was the same shade of green. It hasn't had a big shed of needles in the years I've had it. The soil is free draining, so I don't think overwatering is the problem. We have problems with chlorosis in this area, not sure if that's the trouble. The feedback loop on the foliage color problem is not quick enough to be helpful.

 

[Flowerhouse]

Ponderosas are pretty slow growing trees. I would take a few years to focus on the health of the tree before making big styling changes or repotting. Grow the needles long and wait until you have a full set of green needles before styling or repotting.

Ponderosas are also fast growing trees, under ideal conditions. I'll try to figure out what this little guy needs to keep this year's needles, and those of future years, bright green.

 

[shohin_branches]

You could try adding some cal-mag and chelated iron to your fertilizer routine. I had two new ginkgo from the garden center that were looking bad and adding some secondary macro nutrients really greened them up.

 

[Flowerhouse]

You could try adding some cal-mag and chelated iron to your fertilizer routine. I had two new ginkgo from the garden center that were looking bad and adding some secondary macro nutrients really greened them up.

I've run out of Ironite, but I'll pick some up today. I haven't used cal-mag, but I'll try that too. With pine needles, I don't expect the dull ones will green up, just hoping the green ones will stay green.

 

[rockm]

Read through this. There are some interesting points to keep in mind

Maximizing Ponderosa Pine

Key techniques to reduce needle lengthPonderosa pine is an incredible species for bonsai, but it is certainly not without its challenges. For years, people have disliked ponderosa because they don't understand the unique approach required. Mirai has forged a new path in working with this...

bonsaimirai.com

 

[Flowerhouse]

Read through this. There are some interesting points to keep in mind

Maximizing Ponderosa Pine

Key techniques to reduce needle lengthPonderosa pine is an incredible species for bonsai, but it is certainly not without its challenges. For years, people have disliked ponderosa because they don't understand the unique approach required. Mirai has forged a new path in working with this...

bonsaimirai.com

Thanks! That's a good read.

 

[Guy Smiley]

I have had good success using Todd’s recommended fertilizer and feeding schedule. https://www.firstbranchbonsai.com/npk

 

[Charlo]

This year it's getting Miracle Gro per label directions once a week. Last year it was getting fish emulsion and the older foliage was the same shade of green. It hasn't had a big shed of needles in the years I've had it. The soil is free draining, so I don't think overwatering is the problem. We have problems with chlorosis in this area, not sure if that's the trouble. The feedback loop on the foliage color problem is not quick enough to be helpful.

I do not use Miracle Gro, but once a week seems like a lot of fertilizer. I also use Todd’s fertilizer and feeding schedule listed above for my Pondos, and they are green and healthy, Mine are quite a bit older than yours.

 

[Flowerhouse]

I have had good success using Todd’s recommended fertilizer and feeding schedule. https://www.firstbranchbonsai.com/npk

Thanks for the link. I'll give the npk a try.