My first "Bonsai"

[Spoony]

OK, So I took a drive to a local nursery and had a look around the trees and saw nothing that really took my fancy. As I was walking out I noticed a small stand off to the side with small plants on it. I trundled over and had a look at said small plants. Bonsai it said they were on the little sign. I was very reluctant to buy one of these trees as I didn't want to buy a Mallsai, but I was drawn to a Chinese Elm. I just really liked the look of it so I bought it. I think it may be a case of re-pot it in something bigger till it grows some more. I just figured I'd ask your ideas on the matter. Here are a few photos of the little fella.

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Thanks in advance for any advice.

Paul

[Jamie]

gday mate

this is a very young chinese elm you have here. styling advice is very limited as basically there is not much you can do at the moment. what I would do is as you have said, take it out of that pot, get it into something bigger with some fresh medium, as you probably dont know how long it has been in this little pot. the thing with C. elm is once there root system is in a small container you will get limited growth, they really need to strech there legs out to get some size and branching on them.

have you joined a club yet? if you have access to it I highly reccommend you try get to a meeting, you will find like minded people, of both begginer and highly skilled. you will also possibly have the chance to buy some stock with a lot more to it and you could then get your hands dirty and have a play. If you are close to a bonsai nursery go and check it out, you will find a lot of stock that will suit for a reasonable price. honestly the nurseries have trees that can make fantasic little shohin from for under $30. the nursery men should be able to help you in choice and what is good for a begginer

keep us posted mate

[Mitchell]

IMO I think you should leave it where it is and view it for what it is.


If you want something for the ground, go buy a $3.00 elm and put it in there.

[Spoony]

Thanks for the replies!

Jamie, no local Bonsai nurseries up here in Darwin unfortunately. I have rung and left a message with the Darwin Bonsai Club and I'm just waiting to hear back from them. Once I join I can take it from there in regards to finding an older more established tree from locals in the know.

Mitchell, I'm happy to leave the Chinese Elm (let's call it Doug for the sake of convenience) where it is. Just thought from the reading I have done that a good size trunk is something to start with. Then comes the shaping.

I also figure if I'm going to fail I may as well make it on a grand scale! I want to try Ishizuki style. I have a great rock I want to use for it. My thinking is that if I'm re-potting Doug. I can use the time needed to establish the roots onto the rock as a time for helping it to grow a bit more also.

I do realise that I'm getting in way over my head straight away, I just can't help the idea stuck in my head. I also plan on when/if I can join a Club trying a much more subdued second Bonsai.

[Spoony]

Although this isn't a progression thread I thought I'd just say that Doug has been stuck to a rock and covered with sand.
Did this about a week ago and he still seems to be traveling on well, so I figured I'd photograph him.
Budded out a bit so I figure he isn't going to die just yet.... Needs to be watered quite often I have found though, as his leaves look a little sad if he goes more than 12 hours without a drink.

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[Spoony]

Doug as of Today.

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