New to Bonsai- PA, Cedar Question

[antntj12]

Hey All! New to bonsai here! I've always loved these little trees, just never really got into owning any until now. I've done a fair amount of reading and searched the forums here, however there is not much regarding out there regarding the black dragon cedar. Im looking for some advice where to start.

This was nursery stock and is pretty healthy. It stands about 3ft off the deck.

I'm noticing roots are coming up to the surface and are probably bound up in the bottom of the pot. Im aware the appropriate time to repot is spring but do we think I should let this go until spring or do we think it could handle a repot with minimal root trim?

Regarding style as a follow to the above. I've had a few folks say I could get away doing a raft with this or just continue with the upright. Thought?

 

[Fidur]

Welcome aboard!
You should fill your profile with your location to be better helped.

Hey All! New to bonsai here! I've always loved these little trees, just never really got into owning any until now. I've done a fair amount of reading and searched the forums here, however there is not much regarding out there regarding the black dragon cedar. Im looking for some advice where to start.

This was nursery stock and is pretty healthy. It stands about 3ft off the deck.

Yes, it is a cryptomeria japonica. I own a "valmorinian" variety, very similar to yours, but denser, and I've been working with it for a year:



So, even though I'm a beginner I will dare to give you my insights.

I'm noticing roots are coming up to the surface and are probably bound up in the bottom of the pot. Im aware the appropriate time to repot is spring but do we think I should let this go until spring or do we think it could handle a repot with minimal root trim?

I definitly would wait for spring.

Regarding style as a follow to the above. I've had a few folks say I could get away doing a raft with this or just continue with the upright. Thought?

What you have is the natural behaviour of the species (vertical). You can follow it or use wires to change it, in which case you could also have to chop some branches , the top. and prun the tips of others depending on the shape you decide. As you can see I decided a compact rounded one.

 

[rockm]

Welcome!

First off, it helps us tremendously if you provide location info (country, state, USDA climate zone etc.) in your avatar. Without it, we can't provide much advice on how to care for a tree, since what works in one area of the globe, may not be the greatest for another.

You have a variety of Japanese cedar called a cryptomeria. Black Dragon cryptomeria is a pretty common tree at landscape nurseries here in Va. They're growth patterns are more compact than regular cryptomeria. Here's a care sheet for keeping them as bonsai--you will have to provide some winter protection for it. How much depends on the severity of your winter.

They're traditional species in Japan and are typically made into formal or formalish upright bonsai.

FWIW, I would skip making design plans for this one for a year or more. Learn how to care for it in a container. A raft design entails some pretty specific knowledge to develop since you bascially have to kill off one side of the tree, and they try to get it to root (not an easy process for a beginner).

 

[antntj12]

I greatly appreciate the info and perspectives!

Avatar has been updated, thanks for catching that!

 

[rockm]

Care guide for the Japanese cedar Bonsai tree (Cryptomeria) - Bonsai Empire

The Japanese cedar, called Sugi in Japanese, is a coniferous tree which can grow up to 50 m tall in nature. It has a straight trunk, curved dark green needles and dark brown bark

www.bonsaiempire.com

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Hey All! New to bonsai here! I've always loved these little trees, just never really got into owning any until now. I've done a fair amount of reading and searched the forums here, however there is not much regarding out there regarding the black dragon cedar. Im looking for some advice where to start.

This was nursery stock and is pretty healthy. It stands about 3ft off the deck.

I'm noticing roots are coming up to the surface and are probably bound up in the bottom of the pot. Im aware the appropriate time to repot is spring but do we think I should let this go until spring or do we think it could handle a repot with minimal root trim?

Regarding style as a follow to the above. I've had a few folks say I could get away doing a raft with this or just continue with the upright. Thought?

I like that species. I found one among 4 today at a nearby nursery and reserved it. I was inspired by Black Dragon bonsai today and decided to find one.

It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine.