Bonsai Stock Chat

TreeBay

This is a thread dedicated to tonight's chat on developing bonsai stock. We will be beginning at 10:00 PM pacific. Click on the CHAT logo above, then check the lobby area.

We will be beginning promptly a 10:00

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bonsaial1

Should be very entertaining, to say the least!

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TreeBay

Here is a rough outline for tonight's discussion of Bonsai stock development
[HR]
DEVELOPING STOCK FOR BONSAI
[HR]
I. WHAT IS "STOCK?"

A. Pre-bonsai material - also called "potensai" for "potential bonsai"
B. Stock has basic development to make it ready for training
1. Root buttress
2. Size
3. Taper
4. Ideal stock is ready for the bonsai training.
[HR]
II. WHY USE BONSAI STOCK?

A basic strategy for bonsai development:

Mature Field stock -> Growing Box -> Training Container -> Bonsai Pot -> Show container

A. Field stock develops the lower 2/3 of the tree, nebari or root flare
B. Growing box improves the radial development of the root system and establishes the primary branching with less coarse growth. Primary effort is on healing field scars and selecting the primary branches.
C. Training container further develops primary branches. Secondary branches appear and root system increases in efficiency. "The front" is indicated. First bonsai pot can be plastic or mica
D. Bonsai Pot defines the front, scale of the tree
[HR]
III. GOOD STOCK, BAD STOCK, WHICH IS WHICH?

A. Some probable characteristics of field grown material.

1. May have large wounds from removing major branches.
2. Existing branches may be coarse and poorly placed
3. Root system may still be expansive with limited feeder roots, not yet adapted to a bonsai container

B. Some potential problems with bonsai stock, regardless of its source.

NEGATIVE FACTORS

1. Lack of taper (no taper or inverse taper)
2. Lack of movement (straight trunk) or poor movement, which might include interrog-shaped would-be informal uprights. ? shapes, Y shapes, etc.
3. Poor root display - could mean one-sided roots or tangled roots.
4. Poor branching, coarse branching, few suitable branches.
5. Lack of aged appearance in branching or bark
6. Unsuitable species
7. Extreme scars, swellings or dead areas that are difficult to disguise or treat as "character elements."
8. Poor general health, including weak growth or perhaps disease.
[HR]
IV. HOW STOCK IS CREATED - SOME PROS & CONS

A. Field Growing - fastest growth, greatest girth. Impressive root flare, most existing branches are useless for training as bonsai.
B. Growing box - more controlled growth, potentially better root systems, adapts easily to a container. Some branches may be of use.
C. Forest Development


Alternative - using forests for stock development

1. Material can be planted in forest groupings. Larger container promotes faster growth. Future multi trunk styles. (Elm, Trident, Hornbeam)
[HR]
V. QUESTIONS FOR SELECTING STOCK

A. What stage is this stock in the development chart?
B. How large a tree will this be?
C. How long will it take to heal the scars on the trunk and branches.
D. How long will it take to adapt this tree to container culture? (Species and particular plant)
[HR]
VI. PURCHASING STOCK

A. Directly from the fields (Nipomo, Rips' Place, etc.)
B. As imported material (House of bonsai - korean hornbeam, trident maple)
C. Importing yourself
D. Developing Stock Yourself
[HR]
VII. SOURCES FOR IMMATURE STOCK

A. (Seedlings and saplings) Miniature Plant Kingdom / IB, Lawyer Nursery, International Bonsai Arboretum
Material is obtained by purchased seedlings, seed to be germinated or cuttings
B. Root pruning to encourage radial growth and planted in the field or growing container
C. Lift, prune and rotate every 2-3 years
D. Plant informal upright material with the trunk at an angle

[HR]
VIII. SHOULD I GROW MY OWN STOCK?

1. Do you have the patience and time to do it?
2. Do you have the knowledge to do it?
3. Are you frustrated by mistakes?
4. Do you like to get your hands dirty?
5. Can you devote space to the activity?
6. Can you expend the time to develop your own stock
7. Consider that you will need to cull your stock as most will likely not be suitable for bonsai growth unless you are experienced and methodical.
8. Your energy and space is finite. Do you want to invest it in developing stock or in refining bonsai?

9. Growing your own means appreciating -
1. Progression of development as material ages from seedling through immature and mature stock.
2. Growth rate of trees (twigginess vs. accelerated growth)
3. Considerations for the type of material, i.e., Vining plants - Bougainvillea, Wisteria
[HR]
IX. ADVANCED TOPICS

A. FIELD GROWING
1. Siting your growing area
2. Roughing in needed utilities
3. Preparing a field
4. Preparing trees for planting
5. Planting out
6. Fertilization
7. Pruning
8. Sleep, Creep Reap - a 3 year program

B. BUILDING A BONSAI CONTAINER

1. Cedar, Redwood or pressure treated lumber
2. Should last 2-3 years
3. Can be stapled, nailed or banded.
4. Feet to raise the container off the ground for improved circulation
5. Bottom is slatted or mesh for drainage.

C. IMPORTING TREES
1. How practical is it today in the US?

D. CREATION PRUNING

E. HEALING WOUNDS ON STOCK

F. DEVELOPING PRIMARY BRANCHING

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TreeBay

dougtree

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TreeBay

doug #2

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TreeBay

an informal upright

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doug #4

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Tiny-Plant

so, the time here in finland is gmt + 2. so wat would that 10.00. pacific time be here?

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Tiny-Plant

nice trees! Are they made of like a thousand seedlings and then when they grow together they make one tree? It would be nice to try

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