Newbie

[mattaustin]

Hi all,

New to bonsai and am looking for any pointers regarding my two trees.
I have dabbled with Bonsai's in the past, however most of my trees died due to neglect on my part as I was spending most of my time with my Reef Tank and my now 3 year old daughter.
My Reef Tank now maintains itself and the daughter likes helping me with things these days, so have decided to take on a new challenge in Bonsai.

I have moved both these trees were they get morning sun and are in the shade for the afternoon, I have actually been keeping up the watering and a weak fertiliser solution every weekend at the moment.
The Maple is now showing signs of new leaves since starting this routine, I believe the Liquid Amber is root bound and that's why I am tossing up planting in the ground or at least a bigger pot.

I have had this Japanese Maple that I purchased from a nursery for 2 years, have dabbled with some shaping over the last 12 months but nothing flash.
Any advice on some shaping would be appreciated, probably looking at keeping it formal upright to start with as don't want to rush into things

Japanese Maple
Trunk is 1.2cm thick and height of tree is 40cm


Liquid Amber
I bought this last weekend from a nursery to possibly try and Bonsai it.
Liked the trunk and roots, also after any advice with it.

Trunk is 2cm thick and height is 76cm
Wondering if I should plant this one to thicken the trunk up, if so should I trunk chop it now or just leave it be?





Any advice and critique is greatly appreciated.
I have already learnt lots just reading this forum over the past week.

Regards,
Matt

[kcpoole]

I would chop the LA back to below the first branch then plant out to thicken the trunk

I have 1 in the ground that i have chopped back 3 times now. Did not lift this year. Will leave to next year and then maybe pot up.
When you do plant out. make sure it is not vertical. lean it over so that it come out of the ground at and angle to give movement low.

Ken

[mattaustin]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the reply.

Should I chop now and plant now or is it the wrong time of year?
Also, when I dig the hole should I do anything to control the root system?

When you say below the first branch, do you mean the first larger branch or one of the little ones just starting to sprout further down the trunk?

Thanks in advance.

Matt