Advice on my first attempt at bonsai.

Karakh · White Belt Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

Hi guys, I'm very new at this so please go easy on me Smile

I have had store bought bonsai before (the only one that lived was a fig (I think) that lived on the kitchen window ledge) and last week I decided to make up a bonsai from scratch.

I read a couple of books before going to my local nursery and I bought myself a nice pot, some bonsai compost and a thuja rheingold. It was pretty much the only plant in the whole place that had nice low branches, plenty of foliage and was less than a tenner (I'm pretty sure that my first attempt will end tragically so I didn't want to spend too much). I know its a little late to be doing this but I'm far to impatient to wait until next spring.

I took about 50% from the top, raked the roots (with a big wooden spaghetti fork) took about 20-30% from the roots that were left after raking, put a little compost in the bottom of the pot, seated and wired the tree down, covered it with compost and worked it between the roots.

After an hours work, I now have a nice little tree in a pot Very Happy

(or rather a stick with a ball of yellow/green on top) Two days later, it seems to be doing fine but the leaves are starting to dull a little.

My main question is about how much sun to give it, I really only have 2 options with regard to placement, either:
Outside, on a window ledge in an alcove that gets full sun from about 11am-4pm and is protected almost completely from the wind.
or
In the garden shed, by an east facing window.

I know that it wont want full sun so soon after potting, but I'm worried that the shed air may be a little stagnant. Should I move it into the shed during full sun and put it on the window ledge when its in shade?

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
Kris.

Stymie

The potting was unfortunately out of season so be aware that some distress will have occurred. The main consideration will be to keep the planting medium just moist all the time. Not too wet and not too dry. Don't feed it at this stage until its roots have regenerated. There will probably be some nutrients in the medium. Some dappled shade would be adviseable in the open. Could you arrange for it to be behind some other plant or rig some kind of screen between it and the full sun?

Karakh · White Belt Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for the quick response.

It isn't technically my house, so any major garden additions (shelves/shade boxes) are out of the question. I also have dogs, so I cant keep it on anything lower than about 1.5m.

My only real option for shaded/dappled sunshine would be to put it on the window ledge with a net curtain or similar draped over it during the open sun hours.

It would look a bit silly but would it work?

Stymie

That sounds like a good option but be aware that the curtain will act like a sail. If there is any wind, it could cause your pot to fall off. Some kind of anchorage may be called for.

Karakh · White Belt Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

I think a little duck tape will stop it from parachuting across the garden.

Although I have pretty much accepted the fact that this tree probably wont be around come winter, what do you guys think its chances are?

Edit: Oh, and before I forget, what time of year is best for potting new bonsai? Is it dependent on species?

Stymie

We can only hope. What you need to add to your armoury is a modicum of patience and before doing anything drastic, to get any tree used to the new location and your regime first. Wink

splendidplumage

The best time for re-potting most trees is spring but conifers like your thuya can also be re-potted in autumn (Oct/Nov in UK)

If you get tempted to try making a bonsai again if it is not the re-potting season just trim and style the top growth and leave re-potting until a more suitable time of year.