In Vivo Bonsai: Simplified Protocols for Yamadori Assortment, Aftercare, and Preliminary Bonsai Coaching

1. Study to establish invasive honeysuckle or different species of curiosity in your space. Typically, invasive honeysuckle are ubiquitous all through the jap US and are a mixture of 4 species as I mentioned in final yr’s articles. These species have frequent traits – white flakey bark, leaves that emerge early, white flowers of distinct form, crimson berries, they usually are inclined to develop upright as small timber or shrubs. Do NOT confuse them with the vining honeysuckle species that are native. See right here for extra data. We’ll evaluate identification on-site on the occasion.
2. Discover fascinating specimens within the forest. Bonsai will be made from woody vegetation of any form and dimension so long as you’ll be able to dig and carry it out and put it in a pot. Simply notice that smaller vegetation are far faster to dig and survive far more simply! Enticing traits for bonsai embrace motion, particularly within the decrease trunk, deadwood scars that present age, taper within the decrease trunk thickness, engaging floor roots/nebari, and helpful branching. See the dialogue of untamed honeysuckle and their engaging qualities/potential future designs right here for examples.
3. Chop off undesirable lengthy, straight, taperless sections of the trunk and branches which won’t be used sooner or later design. Honeysuckle and lots of different deciduous species backbud simply so it’s okay in the event you’re left with a naked trunk.
1. Many deciduous species are additionally tolerant of trunk chopping to arrange timber and induce backbudding whereas leaving them within the floor in your forest. Chances are you’ll need to do that out if in case you have an space you come back to yr after yr. I am going to share extra on my outcomes with this later.
4. Dig a trench across the tree and pry beneath the tree. Sever giant roots till the tree is eliminated. Absolutely eradicating the basis system is the one herbicide-free methodology of eliminating invasive honeysuckle from the atmosphere. 
1. Spring is the best time to dig for survival of the vegetation, however some species can survive summer season digs too. In chilly, snowy locations, fall digs are doable, and success is improved by means of a warmth pad or retaining the roots above 32F all winter with a heated chilly body. Fall/winter digs are additionally executed in hotter climates which not often see snow. There’s plenty of regional variation right here!
2. For some species, if there may be solely a taproot and no superb feeder roots close to the trunk, it could be unlikely to outlive the dig. It is higher to depart these timber alone and save your time for different extra fruitful timber. A floor layer, air layer, or different “root enhancement” sort methodology might show you how to make use of those if you’re versatile on the removing timeline.
3. For exceptionally giant timber which have the next failure charge following transplantation, chances are you’ll need to get an exceptionally giant rootball or do a partial trench of the tree in prior years to enhance your success charge. I’m nonetheless experimenting with this as effectively. Fortunately, this isn’t wanted for honeysuckle!
5. Wrap the roots in a trash bag (sturdy black contractor luggage are most popular!). Electrical tape can also be helpful to tightly bind the rootball so there are minimal air areas between the bag and the roots. This helps hold the moisture in. It is a momentary resolution to get the plant house.

1. Pot the plant right into a container it suits into as rapidly as doable after the dig (inside a pair days max). Minimizing this time minimizes stress and maximizes therapeutic. Some additional root pruning could also be executed however not an excessive amount of or it could not survive. Advantageous roots have to be left on the tree when potting as they’re the engine of your tree’s survival! Honeysuckle will not be choosy, use any potting soil you’ve accessible, however bonsai soil is most popular while you get extra superior or for older timber and extra delicate species that are difficult to transplant.
1. This half can get nuanced for superior practitioners. I am going to simply go away you with the concept that 100% pumice is the popular bonsai soil to encompass freshly dug rootballs as this enables plenty of air into the pot and promotes plenty of superb root growth. Perlite is allegedly comparable, cheaper, and extra extensively accessible however my very own experiments with this are underway so I can’t say but. Attempt for your self and let me know!
2. Massive timber will be put into custom-built wood pots. You can additionally go away them within the black contractor bag in the event you used the sturdy form and poke holes all through for water and air to get out and in of the rootball. I’ve executed this with success, however I can not say that it’s higher or worse. I am nonetheless accumulating knowledge on this methodology however it’s VERY handy (on time and value), and my trainer Dan Robinson has used this methodology with success for years.
2. Depart the plant within the shade whereas it recovers from the dig for no less than the primary summer season because of the stress of warmth and water loss. Don’t fertilize for the primary few months after digging both as extra ions from fertilizer can dry out delicate new roots and kill the tree’s restoration. Water usually. Maintain the soil moist however not soaking moist.
3. Water usually and fertilize frivolously all through the summer season. Honeysuckle ought to develop abundantly to proceed recovering; different species get well far more slowly. Survival is simply assured after 1 yr. Don’t prune except you might be assured in its survival.
4. In winter, insulate your roots from and defend them from dry winter wind. This is similar advice as most bonsai, however very true for delicate freshly dug vegetation! You’ll nonetheless have to hold the soil moist as it might probably dry out even in winter.

C. Spring 2023 Repotting + Pruning