Some new trees

[rayner gordon]

Got these from a fiends nursery today. I would like to start a progression thread so lets see how it goes any advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated as i am still an newbe. One is an olive and the other an acacia.
Regards
Rayner

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[robb63]

Hi Raynor and welcome, that's some good starters you got yourself congrats
Maybe have a think about what you want from the trees, ie; larger, thicker trunks or into bonsai pots
My choice would be to get them into large growing pots or boxes with some good soil. That way you have time
to look at them and slowly decide what way to go. The olives are tough and can be repotted any time but I'm not
familiar with acacia, though I do like yours. Others will know more.
good luck and I look forward to seeing more of your acacia in the progression
cheers

[rayner gordon]

Thank you robb63 they are still a bit small but n have to start working on something(if you know what i mean) i have a few other trees that im patiently waiting for to thicken up a bit which includes 3 tridents, a cotoneaster and a few figs all of them still very small

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[robb63]

I know what you mean, I'm still learning the art of patience myself
The olive can be worked any time so go for it.

[shibui]

Interesting to note that nursery owners in South Africa are little devils

Got these from a fiends nursery today.

I sometimes think it is the same over here

They look like great trees to start working with. Olives are very tough so make great, hardy bonsai. I do get a bit tired of cutting off all the suckers though.
I hope you are planning to style the acacia as a 'savannah' type tree - tall, spreading with a flat top? Or do they naturally grow in other shapes if there are few giraffes?

The potting mix looks a bit sad compared to what we use here but I know you can get used to keeping plants alive in almost anything except concrete. Do you have other bonsai growers nearby that you can share ideas with?

[rayner gordon]

Hey shibui i was thinking of trying the "flat top" style, i love the look. Its a sweet thorn tree, formerly known as Acacia karoo but has been renamed as Vachellia karoo. They do not grow in the flat top style but i guess it wont hurt trying. I will repot into a better mix in spring. We do have a little club in town with a few member but some of them are also very knowledgeable so i will also seek advice from them and keep you guys updated.
Regards
Rayner

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[rayner gordon]

This is what ive done so far. Slip potted the acacia in another pot because the nursery bag was falling apart. Please tell me what you think good or bad

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[rayner gordon]

O yes and i will repot both into better mix in spring

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[kcpoole]

I like the trunkline on the first one and are you going to chop the second one to remove the larger trunk?

Ken

[rayner gordon]

Hey Ken i dont know yet?

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[bodhidharma]

It would be helpful to cut those little roots of the main roots now before they become a problem. Love the Bully in the background

[rayner gordon]

Thanks bodhidharma yes i love her very much and she loves my plants just as much, can not leave them alone. As for the roots i was planning on tidying up everything in spring when i repot

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[rayner gordon]

Just a little update. The acacia is sending out shoots only on one side. I thought its because i dont rotate it enough. The olive is shooting like crazy all over. I still have to repot both of them.

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