Help with new collection of about 25 trees

doomsday

Hello all,
A friend has left me his whole collection of bonsai's. I am new to this and do have some idea of what to do with some of the trees. But there are two Korean hornbeam that look like they need to get re-potted? they are not doing so well, meaning that they have not put out any new growth? The leaves look like they are dying but are still green. But not a healthy green just a pale green and they don't feel lively.

I know that this is a big undertaking for a beginner but I think that I can do it. Some of the trees are 25 - 30yrs old so I don't want to loose them but I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello.

zzt6688

Hello Doomsday and welcome to BonsaiHelp,
First of all what part of the Midwest are you from? An even better answer might be the zone you are in. Since we are at the height of summer it is not recommended that you repot the trees right now.
A few things you can keep in mind that should help the trees are that since you just got them they may be experiencing a change in enviroment, they may just be readjusting.

Also if you have them indoors you should put them outdoors, most trees are outdoors trees and will not survive indoors for long periods of time.
If they are outdoors you might want to put them in a place where the sun does not hit them directly. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should not be fertilizing the tree until it gets in better shape.

Just water it normally, this ussually means with a mild rose pattern on a hose until the water compleately soaks the soil and then it drains, water all the trees and then come again at them to ensure that water did get to all the roots. If the water seems to be taking a long time to drain (depending on the size of the pot maybe 10 seconds to more than 30 seconds) then you know that you will need to repot the tree next winter~spring.

Maybe someothers can help you here.
good luck.

Dick

For the hornbeams in particular, I would simply remove them carefully from the pot, keep as much of the soil intact and plant them in the ground for the rest of this season. They can rejuvenate in the normal soil.

Watering in these hot summer days is very important. It may be that they will need daily watering outdoors because of it.

What specific trees do you have? If you are a registered member fo this forum (something I recommend highly) then you can post photos of the trees in the Show Us forum and ask any questions specific to that tree. Then you'll get more specific information that will help you as winter approaches.

doomsday

Hello all, Well here goes... I don't know all of the names of the trees but there are: 2 hornbeam's.... 2types, ...6 azalea's 4types...., 3 Trident maples..., 5 elms 4types...., 1 Chinese lace maple (red)..., 5 pine type...., 1 IL ex vomitoria 'holly'......, 1 English oak 'quercus robur'...., 3 European Beech...., 1 Punica Granatum 'Hizakuro'....., 12 cottoneasters.... sorry, I hope this give everyone a idea of what I am dealing with. I guess that is more than 25 trees it is 40 trees. They are all out side and most all are doing fine except for the hornbeam's. If they were planted in the ground do I put them under shade or full sun. There is a big tree that I could plant them under for the rest of the season? Sorry for the long note but here is just so many of them. And they are taking over my backyard. There trees were only a couple of miles from where they are now. I don't think the climate change is what's wrong. I will try to get some pictures and post them. Plus I am a full member.

bonsaimad

Hi Doomsday,

Nice of a friend to leave you such a large collection of tree's, but you will certainly have your work cut out looking after them

regards

Scott

P.S Welcome to bonsaihelp

StaceyR

Wecome to Bonsaihelp. Good luck with your new collection.

doomsday

Thank you zzt6688, Bonsaimad, StaceyR and Dick for your help.

But Dick if I take the hornbeam's out of the pot and plant them in the ground for the season? When do I put them back in there pot or do I leave them out all winter long? Do I feed them or just wait for them to start sprouting new leaves? Do I plant them in shade or keep them in the full sun because they are in the ground? This way they can get all of the things they need to stay alive and healthy? 1 hornbeam is 2.5 inches at the base and 20 inches tall from the soil and a canopy or 18 inches and a root span of about 4 inches? The other is about 1.5 inches at the base and 18inches from the soil and a canopy about 17inches and a root span of 5inches but it is a Japanese hornbeam?

Please help?

pat.link · White Belt Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 24 Location: widnes

welcome to bonsaihelp
i am sure you will find very good help here i have and i can only recommend this site.
your are going to be very busy but good luck

steve

You'll want to leave them in the ground until next spring. Do be careful not to disturb the roots too much. Look under the pot for any visible wire. If there is any cut it all as one of them may be holding the tree into the pot and will make it difficult to remove. Water daily after you get into the ground.

Dick

Dear doomsday,

Planting a tree in the ground to help it recover is a drastic measure even