Developing a seedling into a bonsai

cycavazzi

Hi all

For seedlings in general: how do you develop one into a bonsai? do you immediately plant them into bonsai pots and keep them in trim, or let them grow outside?

thanks

Crazeegang

I believe that if they are transplanted in to the ground then you get a thicker trunk quicker than if it was potted up.

Toni

Stymie

That is sensible advice albeit for a temperate tree. Tender sub-tropical types would not be able to withstand even a Surrey winter. Laughing

Crazeegang

Erm, yes very true. Sorry wasn't thinking what type of seedlings they might be.

Toni

Barwick Bonsai · Yellow Belt Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 121 Location: Leeds

You can develop both ways or a mixture of the two, however you will get a better quality of tree if you train in a pot but it will take longer than planting out.
One way is to use a pot for the first two years ensuring the roots are pruned and spread correctly for good nebari. Move to field growing for the next two to three years to fatten up the trunk then back into a training pot to refine the tree and improve it's ramification before placing into it's final pot.
An ideal species to try is trident maple (acer buergeranium), easy to grow from seed and very vigorous.
Hope this helps
Andy