Need Advice on Dwarf Alberta Spruce (keeping it small)

[Deleted member 47471]

My perceived goal:

To keep this tree small, prevent inverse taper, and widen base while getting to secondary and tertiary growth/ramification etc.

As I understand, a repot into another growing container in Spring with organic medium and heavy fertilizer (further Development phase) will grow the tree beyond my desired size and shape. So, I need clarity on a few things:

A) Given that I recently (within weeks) performed an initial pruning away of crotch, whorl, and otherwise unneeded growth, is it advisable to not remove the additional branches, trunk chops etc., as mentioned and featured in the notes of my photo?

B) If so, is the reason for withholding additional work due to over-stressing the tree and it might not recover? Or is it safe to go forward with it?

C) Lastly, should I then wait at least 6 months (after pruning and creating my desired structure) to pot into a bonsai pot? Is 6 months enough recovery time to lightly root prune and go into bonsai pot with Akadama, pumice, etc.?

 

[IckyGuyBonsai]

From my experience, DAS can bounce back after some pretty gnarly hack jobs (up top, or roots), BUT not all at once. So I'd advise to prioritize. If you want to get it out of the nursery can and into bonsai soil, hold off on chopping back more. I would say, as is, I'd feel comfortable repotting it in spring. But If you're fine keeping it in it's pot for awhile longer, you can keep hacking away (within reason). They are still conifers, so I would be careful to leave enough needles to be sure it can get the energy to recover.

As far as the 6 months thing. I tend to err on the side of caution, when in doubt, and go with the one insult per 365 days. Though this all depends on species, the specific tree, and how it responded to the previous work.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

From my experience, DAS can bounce back after some pretty gnarly hack jobs (up top, or roots), BUT not all at once. So I'd advise to prioritize. If you want to get it out of the nursery can and into bonsai soil, hold off on chopping back more. I would say, as is, I'd feel comfortable repotting it in spring. But If you're fine keeping it in it's pot for awhile longer, you can keep hacking away (within reason). They are still conifers, so I would be careful to leave enough needles to be sure it can get the energy to recover.

As far as the 6 months thing. I tend to err on the side of caution, when in doubt, and go with the one insult per 365 days. Though this all depends on species, the specific tree, and how it responded to the previous work.

I appreciate your advice

 

[James W.]

I would wait for full recovery before doing anything else. Full recovery meaning vigorous growth, long new extensions and new branches growing. At least a year, likely two before it is strong enough to survive a repot. My experience is that they prefer a lot of foliage to drive recovery from root work.