New bonasi

[wvandam]

Hey everybody. I'm growing a bonasi tree. I don't know which it is and need help identifying it.

I also have them as seedlings. They are a few weeks old. And came on a small cylinder greenhouse. I read the instructions I should transplant all seedlings in separate small pots. Is this true. I have 4 seedlings same plant. They are about a 1/4 inch above the starter green house that came in the kit to plant them in. Amy help would be great.

 

[Wulfskaar]

Welcome! I had a kit just like that, except they were Sequoia trees.

Those are some type of pine.

Yes, I think you'll want to carefully transplant them each into separate pots. I think standard 4" pots would be fine. I would recommend the same soil (probably coco coir or peat + large perlite). Make sure to water right away, then only water when the top of the soil is dry.

Make sure they are outside, as they won't last long indoors. They need sun and fresh air.

Good luck!

 

[Shibui]

Definitely time to transplant those little pines into individual pots so they have room to grow. There's no need to be careful when transplanting seedlings. First transplant is an ideal opportunity to cut roots to promote a more lateral, surface root system on your new trees. I always cut the 'tap' root just below a cluster of side roots. If there's no side roots I still cut the main root to a few cm from the coloured stem. Pruning roots does not hurt a seedling. It just stimulates more roots to grow near the cut.
All of my pine seedlings go straight into 4" diameter pots.
Definitely outside. Pines need the full sun and fresh air and even small seedlings are hardy to all but the coldest weather.

It's worth adding a location to your profile as much of what we do is linked to seasons. Knowing where you are helps others offer appropriate advice on when as well as what to do.

 

[wvandam]

Definitely time to transplant those little pines into individual pots so they have room to grow. There's no need to be careful when transplanting seedlings. First transplant is an ideal opportunity to cut roots to promote a more lateral, surface root system on your new trees. I always cut the 'tap' root just below a cluster of side roots. If there's no side roots I still cut the main root to a few cm from the coloured stem. Pruning roots does not hurt a seedling. It just stimulates more roots to grow near the cut.
All of my pine seedlings go straight into 4" diameter pots.
Definitely outside. Pines need the full sun and fresh air and even small seedlings are hardy to all but the coldest weather.

It's worth adding a location to your profile as much of what we do is linked to seasons. Knowing where you are helps others offer appropriate advice on when as well as what to do.

Thanks so much! I am in Logan Utah and wil for sure put that on my account. I’m not familiar with cutting roots though

 

[Shibui]

I’m not familiar with cutting roots though

Many newbies are scared that cutting roots will kill a seedling. Nothing further from the truth. Like pruning a branch above ground, pruning a root will make the tree grow more new roots. That applies whether the tree is a few days or years old. My experience is that young seedlings are even better at replacing roots than older plants.

Before and after trimming small pine seedling at first transplant.


Even if the seedling doesn't have any lateral roots yet the root can still be cut.


Bothe the trees shown survived and went on to develop better nebari because the long root was cut at first transplant but I understand if you are reluctant to try with your very first babies.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Thanks so much! I am in Logan Utah and wil for sure put that on my account. I’m not familiar with cutting roots though

Welcome to the site. It’s always nice to have another Utahn on the site. I live in Alpine so if you have any questions I’m happy to answer them.

 

[Tieball]

Welcome to the site. It’s always nice to have another Utahn on the site. I live in Alpine so if you have any questions I’m happy to answer them.

Good communication. Always nice to read.

 

[wvandam]

Definitely time to transplant those little pines into individual pots so they have room to grow. There's no need to be careful when transplanting seedlings. First transplant is an ideal opportunity to cut roots to promote a more lateral, surface root system on your new trees. I always cut the 'tap' root just below a cluster of side roots. If there's no side roots I still cut the main root to a few cm from the coloured stem. Pruning roots does not hurt a seedling. It just stimulates more roots to grow near the cut.
All of my pine seedlings go straight into 4" diameter pots.
Definitely outside. Pines need the full sun and fresh air and even small seedlings are hardy to all but the coldest weather.

It's worth adding a location to your profile as much of what we do is linked to seasons. Knowing where you are helps others offer appropriate advice on when as well as what to do.

Hello there hope all is well!! I just transplanted them l. I found some soil from a local greenhouse. It’s not bonsai soil. But it has vermiculite and perlite and a few other things in it. We trimmed the roots a bit then watered them. Any advice on what to do now?

 

[gschup]

Hello there hope all is well!! I just transplanted them l. I found some soil from a local greenhouse. It’s not bonsai soil. But it has vermiculite and perlite and a few other things in it. We trimmed the roots a bit then watered them. Any advice on what to do now?

Not much else but wait. Put them outside and watch them grow

 

[Shibui]

Monitor soil moisture to work out how much water the soil you've used needs in the conditions you experience at your place. There's too many variables to be able to recommend a schedule. Always water as the pot requires.
You can fertilize every 2-3 weeks to get good growth.
After they recover from the transplant and start growing I pinch the tops out of some to encourage some lower branches. Branching is valuable in pine bonsai as they don't always shoot from bare wood later. Low branches can also b used as sacrifice branches to help thicken the lower trunk.

Now read all you can on developing pines. They grow different to the deciduous so you'll need a whole new set of techniques.