Taxodium seedling, what roots to remove?

Forum for discussion of Pines, Junipers, Cedar etc as bonsai.
Post Reply
Hornet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 503
Joined: August 2nd, 2011, 2:29 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus, Natives, Mosses
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: brisbane
Been thanked: 1 time

Taxodium seedling, what roots to remove?

Post by Hornet »

Picked up this little swampie today, roots were coming out the bottom of its 50mm tube so pulled it out and hosed off the mix to get a better look at it. As you can see it has some pretty major tap roots, should i remove them or let it grow on more first. If they need to come off now where should i remove them?

John
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7884
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 78 times
Been thanked: 1598 times
Contact:

Re: Taxodium seedling, what roots to remove?

Post by shibui »

I'd cut the main root just below those bigger side roots. Then also shorten that side root where it turns downward and cut back the remaining roots to about 3 or 4 cm. This will set it up to develop a good nebari in future. Better to do it now while it is young and vigorous and not too much to to support.
Probably also shorten the trunk as well.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hornet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 503
Joined: August 2nd, 2011, 2:29 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus, Natives, Mosses
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: brisbane
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Taxodium seedling, what roots to remove?

Post by Hornet »

Cheers mate, will get rid of those roots and into a bigger pot shortly. As for shortening the trunk, i thought it would be better to just let it grow for a while, to help thicken the base, i'll get a pic of the trunk anyway and see what you think, does have a few shoots down low i could shop down too
User avatar
kcpoole
Perpetual Learner
Perpetual Learner
Posts: 12289
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
Favorite Species: Maple
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 18 times
Been thanked: 94 times
Contact:

Re: Taxodium seedling, what roots to remove?

Post by kcpoole »

I woud cut that tap root off under the side ones, then wire the side ones out flat rather than cut them.

Pot up and then next year you can trim them back

ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
Post Reply

Return to “Pines and Junipers”