My trees are waking up! (1st time)

[ducreamious]

My trees are waking up! It is officially my second year practicing bonsai. Can you guys take a look at my trees and let me know if they are looking alright so far?

The first picture is by far my favorite tree. It is an invasive Amur honeysuckle. I think that is looking alright, as they are impossible to kill in my yard. The second picture is a pic of the buds, and they seem kind of reddish- not the normal lush green. I did recently move it up from a shady, protected spot for winter to a sunny spot.

The second tree is a oak that I harvested today. The last picture attached is a picture of it from last fall. Unfortunately over the winter something ate its only branch. I currently don’t see any buds. When I snipped its tap root it looked alive though.

The third tree is a hackberry. This one has pretty cool nebari, but last year it was struggling, so I didn’t think it would wake up. In my area hackberries do wake up late though. It is started to send buds out! They aren’t many, but they are looking alright! Please let me know any tips for this one.

The fourth tree i need help identifying. It seems like either an invasive oriental bittersweet, an invasive buckthorn, or a Japanese lilac- as we have a tree that sends out seeds every year.

The seedlings are the same thing- they are probably one of those three. Let me know if you guys think that they are one of the invasive one though, because then I will kill them.

The fifth tree is another honeysuckle. It is much smaller, however it’s sending leaves out like crazy- this is what made me question the bigger one. This one is still in the shaded spot.

Do you guys think that I should buy wire for these? I have heard that because honeysuckle branches turn brittle very fast, it is necessary to wire them early. Please let me know how I’m doing! Thanks!

 

[Wulfskaar]

Nice!

Have the trees in IMG_1806 and IMG_1811 been repotted or dug up recently? If not, I'd consider putting them in grow boxes with bonsai soil as quickly as possible before the leaves emerge. If they have been dug up or repotted this year, then I might wait until next spring to do that.

Generally, we avoid garden soil. Granular bonsai soil drains very well and gives you healthy root growth, while garden soil retains too much moisture and doesn't allow enough air to reach the roots, leading to lots of root rot. I would consider transitioning to bonsai soil with each repotting, especially with the more developed trees.

As far as wiring goes, you can experiment with the ends up branches or branches you aren't set on keeping. See how far they can bend without snapping. You shouldn't just wire for the sake of wiring. Make sure you have a plan.
I think we usually avoid wiring new growth because of the greater risk of damaging the branch at a critical time. As you mentioned, some species are more brittle, so you have to find that safe period when you can wire safely. Instead of wiring, a "clip and grow" approach can work as well.

 

[ducreamious]

Nice!

Have the trees in IMG_1806 and IMG_1811 been repotted or dug up recently? If not, I'd consider putting them in grow boxes with bonsai soil as quickly as possible before the leaves emerge. If they have been dug up or repotted this year, then I might wait until next spring to do that.

Generally, we avoid garden soil. Granular bonsai soil drains very well and gives you healthy root growth, while garden soil retains too much moisture and doesn't allow enough air to reach the roots, leading to lots of root rot. I would consider transitioning to bonsai soil with each repotting, especially with the more developed trees.

As far as wiring goes, you can experiment with the ends up branches or branches you aren't set on keeping. See how far they can bend without snapping. You shouldn't just wire for the sake of wiring. Make sure you have a plan.
I think we usually avoid wiring new growth because of the greater risk of damaging the branch at a critical time. As you mentioned, some species are more brittle, so you have to find that safe period when you can wire safely. Instead of wiring, a "clip and grow" approach can work as well.

I was thinking of switching to bonsai soil. It is kind of expensive though. My hope was that they would be able to survive as both of these trees grow well in areas that flood often/they live by rivers. Do you have any soil that you recommend I buy or make myself?
My hope with wiring was to keep the honeysuckle branches growing more out instead of up. Do you think that clip and grow would work well in this scenario? From what I have seen, honeysuckle dont really go over wounds well, and I’m also concerned with it looking choppy and unnatural.
Thanks for your help.

 

[dbonsaiw]

I think this is my fifth year and I’m always surprised and excited when the trees start waking up. Spring is glorious.

 

[Jrmcmich]

You can always do a perlite/coco coir or similar mix like 80/20% modified as needed based on species. This seems decent for growing out before going into a bonsai pot when you would want better “bonsai” (inorganic) soil again depending on your environment might tweak that.

 

[Newish in Oregon]

I was thinking of switching to bonsai soil. It is kind of expensive though. My hope was that they would be able to survive as both of these trees grow well in areas that flood often/they live by rivers. Do you have any soil that you recommend I buy or make myself?
My hope with wiring was to keep the honeysuckle branches growing more out instead of up. Do you think that clip and grow would work well in this scenario? From what I have seen, honeysuckle dont really go over wounds well, and I’m also concerned with it looking choppy and unnatural.
Thanks for your help.

I don't know what you have access to in MN but I've been using a 1:1:1 mix of pumice, Napa 8822 and medium red fir bark

 

[Wulfskaar]

I was thinking of switching to bonsai soil. It is kind of expensive though. My hope was that they would be able to survive as both of these trees grow well in areas that flood often/they live by rivers. Do you have any soil that you recommend I buy or make myself?
My hope with wiring was to keep the honeysuckle branches growing more out instead of up. Do you think that clip and grow would work well in this scenario? From what I have seen, honeysuckle dont really go over wounds well, and I’m also concerned with it looking choppy and unnatural.
Thanks for your help.

Keep in mind, my advice is very basic, beginner advice, and ignores the specific species.

As others have stated, there are cheaper soil alternatives. However, I have read many times that garden soil has no good place in bonsai.

As for wiring, you can use guy wires or wrap the branches in wire, but just be careful if the branches are too young or too thick to bend without snapping. That's why I suggested experimenting a little. Clip and grow might not be best for that specific task of pushing branches out.