bonsai thread!

[mojimojito]

I love to do bonsai as my hobby because it is very enjoyable and interesting activity to do in leisure time.

[Ordphien]

I'm surprisedthat no one had mentioned that old landscaping shrubs make great bonsai. With relatively little training and a few years of work you can easily have a impressive specimen bonsai.
If you ever see someone ripping them out go have a look.

[Katsols]

I have a pre-bonsai azalea which i have nooo idea how i could shape it lol if someone is good with azaleas i would love some advice.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by Katsols

I have a pre-bonsai azalea which i have nooo idea how i could shape it lol if someone is good with azaleas i would love some advice.

Can I ask what you mean by pre bonsai?

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[Katsols]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Can I ask what you mean by pre bonsai?

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pre bonsai is a plant that's in the process of being turned into a bonsai.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by Katsols

pre bonsai is a plant that's in the process of being turned into a bonsai.

Oh ok...
What kind if azalea? And how old is it?

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[Katsols]

Originally Posted by Ordphien

Oh ok...
What kind if azalea? And how old is it?

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I think it's azalea coral bells, which is a kurume type, satsuki and kurume are good for bonsai. I think it might be about three years or so.. not too sure i got it last year and kept it in a medium shallow pot to let it grow a bit more. Bonsai take a long time so it probably won't be full bonsai till im 80, this one is my experimental one and i will just play around with it and see how i can shape it. I'll post a pictures of it this weekend. I'm gonna let it bloom this spring and then trim half of it.

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Katsols

I think it's azalea coral bells, which is a kurume type, satsuki and kurume are good for bonsai. I think it might be about three years or so.. not too sure i got it last year and kept it in a medium shallow pot to let it grow a bit more. Bonsai take a long time so it probably won't be full bonsai till im 80, this one is my experimental one and i will just play around with it and see how i can shape it. I'll post a pictures of it this weekend. I'm gonna let it bloom this spring and then trim half of it.

If you post pics I can give you some tips for different ways to style it!

[RosieC]

Ok, a question from someone with no experience of bonsai at all...

I was told a couple of years ago that rather than starting them from seed in a bonsai kit it was best to find a 2-3 year old seedling that has grown untrained to that point. So I have three small trees that naturally started growing in a tub in my garden and I left them with the kind of thought that I might try bonsai with them one day (they are about 3 years old). All I've done is each year prune the growing points so they have slightly bushed.

Now first off does that sound the right thing to do?
Second, anyone know a good site online to teach me how to train/trim them?

All I really know at the moment is that they are not house plants. My FIL bought a small bonsai and kept it in the house not realising it needed a winter rest like any other tree and it died about 18 months later (which I've since read is normal if kept in the house).

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Ok, a question from someone with no experience of bonsai at all...

I was told a couple of years ago that rather than starting them from seed in a bonsai kit it was best to find a 2-3 year old seedling that has grown untrained to that point. So I have three small trees that naturally started growing in a tub in my garden and I left them with the kind of thought that I might try bonsai with them one day (they are about 3 years old). All I've done is each year prune the growing points so they have slightly bushed.

Now first off does that sound the right thing to do?
Second, anyone know a good site online to teach me how to train/trim them?

All I really know at the moment is that they are not house plants. My FIL bought a small bonsai and kept it in the house not realising it needed a winter rest like any other tree and it died about 18 months later (which I've since read is normal if kept in the house).

Sounds about right. If you want to increase trunk size quickest (Yes, you do) then let them grow unrestrained for a few more years. Don't prune much. Then when the trunk gets to about the thickness you want start working on backbudding and refining.

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