AusBonsai

Yep I agree. Best is to remove them. It's needed in the wild, but serve no purpose in a pot....either than some aesthetic value. When they grow again, let them hang, enjoy them for a while...then remove again.

Idling away the lockdown hours ... this tree is much happier with the low trunk aerial roots removed ....very healthy and vigorous growth! I think I might change the front to the last photo too - not sure. Also, do you reckon I should keep those lower branches as sacrifice branches to thicken the base?






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If you want them to flower, when do you stop trimming (having started once flowering was finished)? March?

Hey Steve,
I am no expert but… I believe they are hard to flower as bonsai …
I’m not an expert so might have that wrong and others may chime in with more appropriate advice.
Regards,
Mark


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My worth re the low branches - I'd leave them to thicken the trunk ( ), you can always cut them off later if they've done the job for you or if you just get sick of them.

Jan.

If you want them to flower, when do you stop trimming (having started once flowering was finished)? March?

I haven't grown Metrosideros. I think they flower on the tips of shoots in spring similar to azalea and Callistemon so I'd start with similar timing to those 2 ie stop trimming in Feb/March and see what happens.

Here in Brisbane they're known as the NZ xmas tree, and they used to flower around christmas. In a bonsai pot they can be a bit more inconsistent, but they do flower, eventually.