Earlier than attending to the pruning, wiring, and styling steps, I prefer to get timber wholesome earlier than engaged on them. For coast redwoods, this normally means repotting and giving them a yr or two to regain vigor earlier than going any additional.
That was the case for a batch of small redwoods I picked up from Bob Shimon at Mendocino Coast Bonsai this winter.
A lot of the soil fell away after I repotted them so the timber have been primarily bare-rooted. When that occurs I wish to encourage as a lot new development as attainable for not less than a full yr earlier than doing any important pruning.
The primary exception to that is that I’ll take away any basal development to encourage the tree to spend money on branches that emerge increased on the trunk.
Right here’s an instance of this.
Redwood with shoots rising on the base of the trunk
After eradicating basal and root shoots
I went via the identical course of for all the timber from this batch.
Redwood #2
Redwood #3
Redwood #4
Two of the timber produced massive shoots which makes me suppose that they had extra roots to begin with. I diminished the basal development as earlier than and calmly trimmed the uppermost shoots.
Redwood #5 – earlier than
Redwood #5 – after
Redwood #6 – earlier than
Redwood #6 – after
Going ahead I’ll take away basal development at any time when I see it. Relying on the full quantity of latest shoots the timber produce this yr, I’ll both begin coaching them as bonsai subsequent yr or the yr after (see steps one and two for particulars).
✕
Subscribe to Bonsai Tonight
New Posts Delivered Each Tuesday and Friday
