Andrew G

Thanks for the help.

It's sometimes think the reading of books makes it all the more harder, well confusing at least. Amongst books I have, 2 are by the "Koreshofs" sp?, which used to, and may still own a bonsai nursery not too far from here near Sydney. Apparently well known bonsai creators, so certainly books I would/did take advice from.

Anyway, with one book being on Australian Native bonsais, the whole thing with them is mostly critical root pruning during dormancy. Dormancy which happens many times a year for short periods, some natives never going into dormancy and you have to induce it artificially.

I'm a horticulturist, but bonsai offers so much more to learn. As a general rule learnt by Horticulturists here in OZ, Natives do not like the roots disturbed, and never move a native unless it's going to die anyway (e.g it is in the way of something), and even then the transplant will mostly fail.

So I can understand the balance rule when growing. Until now/and reading books I pruned my bonsai, both top and roots usually around Spring. Spring because everything started growing, so the roots would rejuvenate/grow, and I did the top at the same time purely cos I was working on the plant anyway,
and I knew it was going to throw new shoots/get new growth. Natives I have I haven't yet touched the roots. Another general rule with garden plants here is don't prune close to upcoming winter, as the frost will kill new shoots.

The natives don't necessesarily go into dormancy in winter here as the daytime temps are about 20-22 degs cel. I guess my original question was to do with bonsai in general, not just
natives.

Anyway, thanks again for the help, and your advice is greatly appreciated.

Andrew
NSW Australia