Opinions on this spruce material

[potatofarmer]

could i just cut everything off and force all growth to the green areas i circled (back into the middle) or is that guaranteed to over stress and kill it?

 

[potatofarmer]

This one is making a full recovery by the way. new buds everywhere. so much ramification i'm going to get. exciting.

 

[Wulfskaar]

could i just cut everything off and force all growth to the green areas i circled (back into the middle) or is that guaranteed to over stress and kill it?

I don't know the answer.

But, I have recently read about and watched a video from Nigel Saunders about Dwarf Alberta Spruce. For those, you can pull off the very tips of the new growth to encourage budding further in and discourage further lengthening of that branch.

That might warrant further investigation.

 

[potatofarmer]

I don't know the answer.

But, I have recently read about and watched a video from Nigel Saunders about Dwarf Alberta Spruce. For those, you can pull off the very tips of the new growth to encourage budding further in and discourage further lengthening of that branch.

That might warrant further investigation.

hello. yes you have to do that. these are elongating species so if you dont do it, the bonsai is not going to look very good at all. i dont know where this "pull off" or pinching thing started but that's really dumb/not very precise and seems like a good way to mess up or cause damage. i use something like these

https://www.amazon.ca/Premium-Cuticle-Trimmer-Stainless-Nipper/dp/B07W6KW8ZG/?th=1

 

[Wulfskaar]

hello. yes you have to do that. these are elongating species so if you dont do it, the bonsai is not going to look very good at all. i dont know where this "pull off" or pinching thing started but that's really dumb/not very precise and seems like a good way to mess up or cause damage. i use something like these

https://www.amazon.ca/Premium-Cuticle-Trimmer-Stainless-Nipper/dp/B07W6KW8ZG/?th=1

I recently did it with my DAS. The new tips pull off very easily. It felt very controlled, neat, and easy. Plus I wasn't cutting through needles, so the remaining needles are all intact.

In this video, Nigel Saunders does both pinch and cut.

 

[potatofarmer]

here's how it's looking after some pruning. i could get more aggressive and cut back further but i thought it might weaken the tree too much. not sure.

i have no idea how but i see some green spruce aphids. i guess i will try some neem oil.

 

[potatofarmer]

here's how this one's coming along, also making a full recovery. any potential?

i think i will need to leave the wire on all summer. spruce is def annoying how it doesn't hold any bends.