Tiny Tot, a little Berberis

[Marc S]

A little Berberis started from a branchless stump last year.
Has anyone experience with small Berberis?

 

[R_F]

I don't know much about berberis, but that's a nice trunk to start with. Good luck with that one and keep us updated.

 

[akhater]

I like it, it is the style of trees I like

 

[Rick Moquin]

Luuuuuuuuuvely!

 

[davetree]

Wire the branches as soon as you can, don't let it dry out, let the shoots extend for a bit this year to increase vigor. Pick the flowers to encourage shoot growth. Watch out for cracks in the branches after wiring. In my experience, too much work too soon slows the plant down, that is why I let the shoots go a bit when they are young.

 

[bonsai barry]

I have trouble keeping them alive. I can only guess that I tried cutting the roots too quickly.

 

[Marc S]

I have trouble keeping them alive. I can only guess that I tried cutting the roots too quickly.

That's strange, I have the impression that they grow like weeds.
I think they're perfect for bonsai: small leaves, rapid growth, small flowers and an old looking trunk.

This is an other one I have, 6 inches tall:

 

[kytombonsai]

Marc, This is a small barberry called yellow sunshine (if I remember right) I bought it as a nursery plant about 5 years ago, cut the top off, cut the roots off and put it in a small pot, trained a side branch up for the new apex and the tree never missed a beat. It flowers in the spring and puts on a few berries. Nice easy small tree.

Tom

 

[mapleman77]

beautiful trees everyone; does this species have a tendency to put out really nice mature bark at a young age?

 

[davetree]

Yes you can find very nice trunks if you look long enough. Marc when are you going to do some wiring on your berberis ?

 

[rockm]

Berberis is an excellent bonsai subject. You can find decent trunks (no, younger ones don't develop very rapidly-unless you plant them out) in nurseries for not alot of money.

They tend to grow shoots at the expense of branching. Also, if you're carving out the wood, don't be shocked as it is bright yellow.