Wire or move to grow pot
- Thread starter KeeganO
- Start date
darzuo
Seedling
Depends on your goals, but I suspect most people would say to develop the trunk more, leave it as is and keep it alive, repot in early spring into a larger pot and proper soil. I would say the tree is young enough that you could pretty much bare root it and it would be fine. If you want to get some better movement lower, you could also wire the base a bit now, but not needed.
KeeganO
Seedling
Another dumb beginner question, when repotting into a grow pot, should I use the same soil mixture I would use in a bonsai pot?
darzuo
Seedling
That's what I would do
Ruddigger
Omono
Move it and grow pot. Much more lucrative.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Juniper wood stiffens up pretty quick. Every year it will get harder and harder to bend so if you think you'll want bends in the trunk you should wire as early as possible. Thinner, more flexible trunks can be bent into tighter bends. Most of us can only get gentle bends in thicker wood unless using some advanced techniques.
It is also possible to get bends in trunks and branches by pruning - grow and chop. Note that it is highly unlikely that you'll use the entire trunk of any tree in the final bonsai. Find out about sacrifice branches and relacing leader with side branches.
Grow pots can use bonsai mix or regular potting mix. The larger the container, the less critical soil mix becomes. Smaller containers need more specialised potting mix. regular potting soil can be removed from the roots and replaced with bonsai soil mix when the time comes for a small pot.
It is also possible to get bends in trunks and branches by pruning - grow and chop. Note that it is highly unlikely that you'll use the entire trunk of any tree in the final bonsai. Find out about sacrifice branches and relacing leader with side branches.
Grow pots can use bonsai mix or regular potting mix. The larger the container, the less critical soil mix becomes. Smaller containers need more specialised potting mix. regular potting soil can be removed from the roots and replaced with bonsai soil mix when the time comes for a small pot.
KeeganO
Seedling
Wow so much helpful information thank you!!
rockm
Spuds Moyogi
I would use the same bonsai mix you will use when it goes into a “proper” bonsai container. I avoid using different grow container and “bonsai” container soil types because when you move from one to another you may have to spend a year or two converting the rim tire root mass to the new soil. Use the same mix no transition time. This obviously depends on species Deciduous species can be bare rooted. Pines and conifers can’t handle that.
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KeeganO
Seedling
That makes a lot of sense! I’ll use the soil mix I was planning on using once it eventually ends up in a bonsai pot, and I’ll plant it in a colander as a grow pot for now
