growing in the ground

Ozboy

G'day everyone,
I have never tried growing a potential bonsai in the ground to hasten thickening of the trunk, but I like the sound of anything that will quicken the process. What I want to know is, how long do you let a tree grow in the ground without rootpruning?, i.e. Do you dig it up every year and rootprune or do you let it stay longer?

Ozboy.

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denny

i asked the same question.
i was told some people use a shovel to cut the roots.one side one year and the other side the next year,alternating like that.
someone correct me if im wrong.
what i want to know,is what sort of pruning/training they get while in the ground?

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

joan_fl

Im pretty much just started getting into bonsai, so please excuse my ignorance...

Would growing a bonsai quicken the growing process for bonsai?

Joan

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MomComputerGeek

Growing in the ground quickens the growth of the trunk but you are still talking several years. Once the tree goes in a pot the restricted growth really slows any thickening of the trunk. What you pot is pretty much what you will get for the next 5 -10 years.

Joan, I would worry about this right now. It's a great technique once you know more what you are doing.

Earl

Woops, meant I wouldn't worry about this right now....

Adam

If you are growing in the ground and are trying to thicken the trunk, I think you would prune just to keep the tree from getting out of hand, depeding on how much space u have. Root prune with a sharp spade as Denny said, one side one year and the next side the next year. Hope this helps.

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[Adam]
"Cass Bonsai Gardens"
"Bonsai Knowledge"
"DaGhostCrew"

Tony

There are two schools of thought on this. The first says that you should prune the lateral roots every year or two in order to keep the feeder roots close in to the trunk. The second says that you should just let it grow for optimum growth. Both are true. If you do no root pruning for several years the feeder roots are going to be fairly far from the trunk. On the other hand, if you chop the roots every year that's going to slow down the growth of the tree considerably. Myself I would judge from the nebari/root buttress development. If that's looking good I'd just let it grow, the feeder roots can be worked back latter.

Tony

Ozboy

Thanks everyone for your advise, I will give the spade method a go.
ozboy
p.s. Denny!. nice dog

denny

thanks ozboy,shes a cutie.

thanks adam, for the advice.i was thinking a person would want to be sure to keep certain branches,but i guess thats better left for the turntable.

joan,everyones got to be a beginner first.
ignorence is always there to some extent,no matter what stage your at.

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.