Berberis styling suggestions

[lenlen]

Hi everyone,

I've just recently purchased a Berberis, I was thinking something like this…
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... -16-08.jpg

Or….

(http://leafbrothers.blogspot.com.au/201 ... lours.html )


Here's what it currently looks like:

Front for now?


Side


Side 2


Back

Still very new to bonsai, so any thoughts/suggestions/critique would be great! Thanks

[Boics]

Hello Lenlen.

If you are thinking of the two pictures you have provided you will need to bulk your tree up ASAP.

The best method of doing this is to put it in the ground and let it grow for a few seasons.

Once the tree has a thicker trunk you can work on reducing the overall mass and start to think a little more around the actual style.

The tree's you have shown are probably some 5-20 years worth of growth I'd say.
Trunks like them don't happen overnight!

Cheers,

[GavinG]

Can only agree with Boics - for thick gnarly trunks, grow it in the ground, keep it well watered and fertilised, let it grow long to thicken, cut back once a year, cut the roots at the same time and replant at a different angle. Don't worry about branching much for the first five years - they shoot back whenever you prune them hard. You might find the cuttings handy…

Gavin

[lenlen]

Thank you for the advise Boics and GavinG, much appreciated.