Advice on pinching new growth - bonsaiTALK Community

28-Aug-2007

GavSol

bonsaiTALK Artisan

Join Date: Mar-2007

Location: Melbourne

Country: Australia

Posts: 107

Advice on pinching new growth

No bites in the Bonsai Doctor forum, so I thought I'd re-post my query in this thread.

This is my first Spring with this Box Hedge. As you can see in the first picture it is flush with new growth and looking quite healthy. Second shot to give perspective of the tree (from about a month ago).

I'm a little unsure about the timing and the degree to which I should pinch back the new growth.

Pinch now, or wait until at least the second set of leaves appear and get those?
Pinch all new growth or just a certain proportion?
One or two pinching frenzies or continue procedure constantly throughout growing season?

I'm fairly happy with the branch framework, so my aim would be keep the foliage compact and encourage some finer ramification.

Thanks,

Gav

Attached Images

	Box Hedge - New growth.jpg (68.8 KB, 29 views)
	Box Hedge - Full.jpg (63.2 KB, 49 views)

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28-Aug-2007	#2
Repotter Hec DeBrabant Join Date: Nov-2004 Location: Southern Michigan Country: USA USDA Zone: 5 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 984	I pinch or trim off new growth twice a year with my Japanese boxwood and my Kingsville. That seems to be sufficient to keep them compact. This is the best way to shape the foliage pads and ramification. You may want to consider the removal of the low branch on the right side. In my opinion it is too straight and looks out of place at that angle. __________________ http://www.tellys.com http://www.Fourseasonsbonsai.com The original Four Seasons Bonsai Club of Michigan. Guest master in August is Pedro Morales on August 30, 31 demo and workshop. Tellys Greenhouse, 3301 John R road, Troy Mi. 48083 Four Seasons Bonsai Club meetings monthly. Troy, Michigan "Anything is possible when you don't know what you are doing"................someone famous I think. Last edited by Repotter : 28-Aug-2007 at 10:23 AM.

29-Aug-2007	#3
lehket Sensei-in-Training (Very) Join Date: Jun-2006 Location: Baltimore Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: 7 Posts: 528	I dunno, I rather like that branch, although I agree something's not quite right about it. Before cutting it off entirely, I might try pulling it downward a bit and shortening it, just to see what it would look like. __________________ --Dale ---------- Co-author of Spiritual Telemetry, Host of Planet Baha'i and the Planet Baha'i Forum

29-Aug-2007

irene_b

Student of Life

Join Date: Mar-2006

Location: Castroville,Texas

Country: USA

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AHS Heat Zone: 10

Posts: 1,674

Quote:

Originally Posted by GavSol

Pinch now, or wait until at least the second set of leaves appear and get those?
Pinch all new growth or just a certain proportion?
One or two pinching frenzies or continue procedure constantly throughout growing season?

I'm fairly happy with the branch framework, so my aim would be keep the foliage compact and encourage some finer ramification.

Thanks,

Gav

Gav, bring the right hand branch up just a wee bit.
Would make it appear better.
Mom

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29-Aug-2007	#5
Spirit_Helper bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: May-2005 Location: Winnipeg Country: Canada USDA Zone: 3 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 50	Mom?!

30-Aug-2007	#6
GavSol bonsaiTALK Artisan Join Date: Mar-2007 Location: Melbourne Country: Australia Posts: 107	Off, down, up... always great to get some opinions on this site! I'll probably try and bring it, and the branch above it, down a bit. Any other advice on the pinching? Mainly unsure about the timing (ie now or wait a bit to get some actual growth)

30-Aug-2007	#7
lehket Sensei-in-Training (Very) Join Date: Jun-2006 Location: Baltimore Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: 7 Posts: 528	I've occasionally moved a branch up, down, forward, backward, and off myself. Not all at once of course. __________________ --Dale ---------- Co-author of Spiritual Telemetry, Host of Planet Baha'i and the Planet Baha'i Forum

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