Bonsaidoctor
Seedling
Greetings-
My first post. Very grateful for this forum. I have been maintaining multiple small (shohin) potted trees in my collection for many years. But recently, I want to start growing pre-bonsai and be more active in development. I acquired this sample from a nursery for about $50- what I thought is a nice Laural Oak specimen with good opportunity to make into bonsai. I have transplanted stock/nursery trees in the past. I actually acquired this about 2 months ago and am just letting it say in pot until early Spring. It has thrived for the most part (though there are some brown spots on leaves occasionally- see picture looking from above: leaf is a about 6 o'clock).
I have lots of questions- but I will try to hit highlights:
1. Is early spring the best time to transplant this into pot?
2. What should I do about the old thick roots extending from the base? They are actually hovering above the soil (they were chopped for extraction from ground)- do I leave them be (and keep them above the soil line when I transplant? Do I cut them back one at a time? If so, what should the timing/progression be (when should I cut the old thick visible roots back to the trunk? should I do one root then wait and do another or both at the same time? Should I cut the thick roots before I transplant)?
And obviously- anything I am not thinking of, please mention if you feel appropriate. Thanks for your consideration.
Randy
My first post. Very grateful for this forum. I have been maintaining multiple small (shohin) potted trees in my collection for many years. But recently, I want to start growing pre-bonsai and be more active in development. I acquired this sample from a nursery for about $50- what I thought is a nice Laural Oak specimen with good opportunity to make into bonsai. I have transplanted stock/nursery trees in the past. I actually acquired this about 2 months ago and am just letting it say in pot until early Spring. It has thrived for the most part (though there are some brown spots on leaves occasionally- see picture looking from above: leaf is a about 6 o'clock).
I have lots of questions- but I will try to hit highlights:
1. Is early spring the best time to transplant this into pot?
2. What should I do about the old thick roots extending from the base? They are actually hovering above the soil (they were chopped for extraction from ground)- do I leave them be (and keep them above the soil line when I transplant? Do I cut them back one at a time? If so, what should the timing/progression be (when should I cut the old thick visible roots back to the trunk? should I do one root then wait and do another or both at the same time? Should I cut the thick roots before I transplant)?
And obviously- anything I am not thinking of, please mention if you feel appropriate. Thanks for your consideration.
Randy