Pohutukawa Metrosideros

[FreddieV]

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.

[MJL]

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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[SteveW]

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

[MJL]

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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[Jan]

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.

[shibui]

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.

[melbrackstone]

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.