Newbies - want to share your trees?

[Clorgan]

Haven't contributed here for a while! Thanks to everyone who continues to share - bloomin love this thread.

Rather than posting it here again, here's a link to a thread of mine - just posted an update of some of my projects

Delve into a newbies garden! 😎

First purchase of the year! Prunus kojo-no-mai, intended for a potted tree for the garden... However after seeing this link... http://bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATCherryBonsaiProgressionSeries.html ... I'm tempted by a cute lil mame/shohin. Any thoughts? 😊 Unfortunately wasn't able to dig...

www.bonsainut.com

 

[Eckhoffw]

I was gifted this jade 15 years ago- from my sister in-law.
Like many, I just left it inside for that time.
it got leggy of course, and did get pretty butchered 3 yrs back. In accordance with my new love for plants and bonsai. also used most of the cuttings for a jade forest.

Really wish I had a photo of when I got it.
I can’t even remember what it looked like back then.
The last couple of years I’ve given it care, and it is just starting to look pleasing to me.

 

[Noodles]

Indeed they do. The wire just threw me off since there was not a ton of movement. The overall transformation is fantastic and I like it.

Have you tried copper wire?

I haven't, it's not readily available to me unless I order online. Also aluminium has never lacked enough holding power for me until now. Not too fussed about it for this tree but maybe in future I'll try get my hands on some!

 

[Johnathan]

I haven't, it's not readily available to me unless I order online. Also aluminium has never lacked enough holding power for me until now. Not too fussed about it for this tree but maybe in future I'll try get my hands on some!

It's not readily available here either, which reminds me that I need to go to the hardware store and get some annealed before spring! I was an all copper kind of guy but now I'm getting into aluminum. They each have their own pros and cons

 

[SgtPilko]

Hey all, loving the friendly and helpful vibes in here. I'm a newbie and have been lurking and learning for a few weeks, got started in the depths of the (UK) winter though so not too much action to show on my trees so far! Can't wait for spring proper, need to decide what to do with a few of these purchases though. I think I have already got myself a reputation digging around for nebari at the local garden centre, thank god for face masks... anyway here are a few of these very early days projects! I also got a cut price Taxus (looks a bit too straight in there), Cotoneaster (wild af, but skinny trunk) and cheapo proto-sumo Ficus.

Looking forward to learning more and getting stuck into some discussions on this board. Cheers!

#1 Chinese Elm. The birthday web-sai. Gets upset if called a mallsai because a) this England b) his feet are nestled in what looks to be mostly akadama straight out the box! Could be a sneaky top dressing but no glue and pebbles here. Might save me an immediate re-pot in the coming weeks but then where next...top heavy, lack of taper, big chop wound, wire scars, what looks like a knotted trunk rather than root mass. Will be outside and properly trimmed soon, might start by attacking the dense apex and taperless upper branches, need to beef up the lower half, I don't have the cojones for a trunk chop yet.





#2 Juniperus Chinensis - love seeing this little punky guy every morning, torn between getting stuck in to practice some skills, plant out or maybe just a repot to focus on root development first. Outgrowing the nursery pot and its fairly typical compost in there I think. Lots of meaty branches on the inside of the bends that will need tackling sooner or later. Some movement here but hidden by the dense foliage.




#3 Cotinus "Young Lady" - random nursery buy (while frozen solid) though luckily i can spot a tiny bit of flare and movement down there below the soil line. Yet to do any work, maybe will just prune the most obvious bits this spring, not sure. Not one of the usual purple variants. Maybe better to plant out and try to get a fatter gnarly trunk down the line but I am not sure yet how fast these grow or get out of control.






#4 Chamaecyperis Thy. Excellent Point. £2.50 1st wiring practice aka the Poundshop Peter Chan Principle. Ideal activity for a cold, dark night and despite not looking like any of his natural False Cypress brethren seems to be pretty happy. Before shot is actually his identical twin.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Hey all, loving the friendly and helpful vibes in here. I'm a newbie and have been lurking and learning for a few weeks, got started in the depths of the (UK) winter though so not too much action to show on my trees so far! Can't wait for spring proper, need to decide what to do with a few of these purchases though. I think I have already got myself a reputation digging around for nebari at the local garden centre, thank god for face masks... anyway here are a few of these very early days projects! I also got a cut price Taxus (looks a bit too straight in there), Cotoneaster (wild af, but skinny trunk) and cheapo proto-sumo Ficus.

Looking forward to learning more and getting stuck into some discussions on this board. Cheers!

#1 Chinese Elm. The birthday web-sai. Gets upset if called a mallsai because a) this England b) his feet are nestled in what looks to be mostly akadama straight out the box! Could be a sneaky top dressing but no glue and pebbles here. Might save me an immediate re-pot in the coming weeks but then where next...top heavy, lack of taper, big chop wound, wire scars, what looks like a knotted trunk rather than root mass. Will be outside and properly trimmed soon, might start by attacking the dense apex and taperless upper branches, need to beef up the lower half, I don't have the cojones for a trunk chop yet.

View attachment 355159
View attachment 355160


#2 Juniperus Chinensis - love seeing this little punky guy every morning, torn between getting stuck in to practice some skills, plant out or maybe just a repot to focus on root development first. Outgrowing the nursery pot and its fairly typical compost in there I think. Lots of meaty branches on the inside of the bends that will need tackling sooner or later. Some movement here but hidden by the dense foliage.

View attachment 355161


#3 Cotinus "Young Lady" - random nursery buy (while frozen solid) though luckily i can spot a tiny bit of flare and movement down there below the soil line. Yet to do any work, maybe will just prune the most obvious bits this spring, not sure. Not one of the usual purple variants. Maybe better to plant out and try to get a fatter gnarly trunk down the line but I am not sure yet how fast these grow or get out of control.

View attachment 355163

View attachment 355164


#4 Chamaecyperis Thy. Excellent Point. £2.50 1st wiring practice aka the Poundshop Peter Chan Principle. Ideal activity for a cold, dark night and despite not looking like any of his natural False Cypress brethren seems to be pretty happy. Before shot is actually his identical twin.

View attachment 355165

View attachment 355166

Your trees look healthy!!

That is LITERALLY more than HALF of the “battle”

Keep it going!

 

[doob]

Hi everyone,

Thought I'd introduce masel, as no doubt I'll be picking yer brains over the coming months and years for all the knowledge and brilliance I can. I've been lurking in the background, like SgtPilko above, and thought now would be a nice time to say hi as everyone seems so nice and supportive of fellow bonsai nuts.

I've been interested in bonsai for a good few years, but never actually took the plunge and bought any trees. Now I'm wishing I had started years ago as I'm realising, and reading, that I need extreme patience to pursue this dream and sadly my best years are probably behind me now, I'm hoping for at least another 30 years. Plenty of time I hear you say! So, last year I began dipping ma toe in and bought what was advertised as a Zelkova, but I think it's more Ulmus Parviflora than Zelkova Serrata and a dawn red wood - please forgive me for these initial purchases, I had to start somewhere. I started some oak seedlings last year as well, but alas they have all perished along with the Elm which I'm hoping will push out some sprouts in spring, fingers crossed. I was away from the house for 8 weeks due to covid and most of my trees and plants have suffered along with me, I faired better than the plants and bonsai to be honest. Wanting to continue on my bonsai journey I recently purchased a a grafted JWP, which is heavily scared, and I repotted it into a 15l pot. I am just going to leave it and let it grow for a few years, or a year, the temptation to wire it is all consuming but I must fight it. I'm looking to pick up another tree in the coming days/weeks and would be interested to hear what your thoughts are on buying online and where I would be best looking to buy from?

Thanks for having me and I very much look forward to chatting to you and posting some photos of my efforts in the future.

Best regards

 

[HorseloverFat]

Greetings Wayward Stranger! The Woody Dwarves have been expecting you. Dig in your roots, here, deep within the Tiny Forest.

Doob... I’m PRETTY sure I left you tucked behind my ear... nope.. nevermind. That one’s gone.

It will be of GREAT assistance to YOU, myself and others involved if you could go ahead and update your profile information to reflect a general location or climate zone. It can be SOMEWHAT cryptic, mine just says NorthEastern Wisconsin... the world is a big place.. we gotta know your situation to aid correspondence.

Ordering online is tricky, but many do it often with no problems.. it’s a matter of the vendor or nursery...

I highly recommend checking out
https://evergreengardenworks.com/

There are many vendors that have good reputations amongst tiny-tree people. We are the bonsai supply, Eastern Leaf, IBC, Mirai... the list goes ON and ON..

Bonsai Vendors | Bonsai Society

Bonsai Vendors Listed By State.

www.absbonsai.org

You CAN “roll the dice” and get nursery stock online too... (not ideal.. but cheap).. Green Promise Farms, Pixie Gardens and many other DECENT Nurseries sell through Amazon and Ebay.. it you DO choose this NONideal route.. just check reviews.. buyers will normally post pictures of the specimens received.

Buuuuut collecting is best, in my opinion... IF you have access..... and clearance.

 

[doob]

HorseloverFat Thanks for the reply! I hope you enjoyed the one from behind your ear, remember a little goes a long way.

I will definitely update ma profile now, well after I've finished this message. I'm located in London, UK. Sorry, I should have mentioned that in my initial post. Your knowledge, brilliance and patience shall definitely be tested by this here seed, I'm not even a seedling yet

 

[HorseloverFat]

HorseloverFat Thanks for the reply! I hope you enjoyed the one from behind your ear, remember a little goes a long way.

I will definitely update ma profile now, well after I've finished this message. I'm located in London, UK. Sorry, I should have mentioned that in my initial post. Your knowledge, brilliance and patience shall definitely be tested by this here seed, I'm not even a seedling yet

Pshh.. labels mater not...

It’s based on posts.. soooooo...

I’m just a “heavy-talker” masquerading as a “Masterpiece”



Glad you are here.

This place is a wonderful communal wellspring of shared knowledge/experience.... drink deeply when in need... add to it when you can.

 

[doob]

Pshh.. labels mater not...

It’s based on posts.. soooooo...

I’m just a “heavy-talker” masquerading as a “Masterpiece”



Glad you are here.

This place is a wonderful communal wellspring of shared knowledge/experience.... drink deeply when in need... add to it when you can.

Well, knowing now that is based on post and not knowledge I shall no longer be requiring your services. Where is the real masters at?

Pshh.. labels mater not...

It’s based on posts.. soooooo...

I’m just a “heavy-talker” masquerading as a “Masterpiece”



Glad you are here.

This place is a wonderful communal wellspring of shared knowledge/experience.... drink deeply when in need... add to it when you can.

Quantity over quality, got to love the internet! If I had tried to post I was a "heavy-talker" my phone would have auto-corrected to I was a "heavy-breather". Alas, I am neither some of the time

Glad to be here and looking forward to the journey.

All the best

 

[SgtPilko]

Your trees look healthy!!

That is LITERALLY more than HALF of the “battle”

Keep it going!

Thanks Horselover, I reckon that's more to do with mother nature than my tender care at the moment, but I aim to maintain it!

 

[Esolin]

I've collected many 'sticks in pots' over the last couple years that aren't worth photographing, but I'll share three of my teaching trees--trees that have a special place because they taught me something about bonsai.

Nana juniper -- My first tree. This tree taught me that it's way cheaper (and more fun) to make your own bonsai than buy a 'mallsai'. I was at a garden store admiring the tiny nana bonsai for sale for $30, and then noticed they were selling nanas that were twice as big for a THIRD OF THE PRICE in the regular nursery plant section. That was when I said, "Pfff, I'll make my own bonsai!" and the journey began. It's looking a little ratty now because it's winter and I thinned the top to move the apex over, but it'll green up soon.

Olive -- Before I was into bonsai, or even super into gardening, I dug this out of the yard as a wild seedling, stuck it in a pot and literally forgot about it for 20 years. Zero care. I'm amazed the poor thing survived. I then proceeded to use it as a 'practice plant', hacking on and wiring several times with abandon, since I wasn't too keen on olives as bonsai and didn't care much for it's fate. But recently I've come to appreciate it's resilience, and the fact that it's pretty much a miniature version of the clump olives that grow wild around these parts. It's taught me to appreciate material/species that I wouldn't normally gravitate toward, and I'll be taking much better care of it from now on.

Rocky mountain juniper -- I'd only been into bonsai for a couple months when I picked this up for $12 at a wholesale nursery. I loved the curvy trunk, and knew people (Ryan Neil) used RMJ for bonsai, so I thought, "Great find!" Then I did more reading and saw a lot of people dising RMJs for their terrible 'loose foilage' and saying they weren't good material. Downtrodden, I decided it would just be practice material instead. I toyed with it here and there, not really sure how to shape it because it didn't have a good apex. I ignored it for two years. Then, four months ago I tipped it sideways and BAM, the future shape became clear. And I've since gained more self-confidence in bonsai as a personal art style. I don't care if RMJs aren't kokufu material. I love my wispy tree with it's silver-blue foliage, and that's what matters. In more ways than one, it's taught me to look at bonsai differently.

 

[Teacup bonsai]

View attachment 346148Dramatic lighting makes it look better...
Zelkova I got a few months ago(I obv didn’t start this tree, but has been good to practice wiring), was burnt to heck but looks ok now the leaves are off
View attachment 346150
Trident maple that still looks a mess, planning to do a good chop at the third turn in the spring.
View attachment 346151
This one I’m actually fairly excited about. An old high bush blueberry I got on clearance this year but has some interesting curves now it’s a bit thinned out. Thinking of connecting foliage from the 2 left branches and having a smaller section from the low trunk. Shoots snap really easy this late in the year, learned my (unfortunate) lesson on the first Azalea I tried earlier this fall....

Turns out there was some nebari hanging out in there after all!
Im hoping the embedded wire scar heals over a little more, but will attempt for a nice shohin in a few years

 

[Deleted member 32750]

I posted mine in a thread earlier today but here is my JBP and an azalea I have

 

[Marlborough Handcraft]

I got hooked on bonsai around thanksgiving so forgive the beginner nature of my trees, but here they are.

The plan for this mini golden gate ficus is to keep it small and slowly grow out the trunk. I know it will be tough, but I'm going to attempt to keep it mame sized.

This too little ficus is very overpotted but I dig it either way. I'm planning to wire it in mid march and then a good pruning in summer.

 

[Housguy]

One of my offerup trees.

 

[HorseloverFat]

One of my offerup trees.
View attachment 361386View attachment 361387

Well if THAT doesn’t make y’wanna prune some trees.. I don’t know what WILL!

..maybe it’s just me.


I almost said, “Medium-Rare... nice!”

 

[Housguy]

Well if THAT doesn’t make y’wanna prune some trees.. I don’t know what WILL!

Right! More fun for the next owner, I am going to let it grow wild until that lucky person comes along, lol.

 

[qwerty Bonsai]

My first "yard"dori - have several kinda out of control nandina plants in the backyard.