Picea glauca - Dwarf Alberta Spruce

[Craig.a.c]

Has anyone used the Picea glauca or Picea abies for Bonsai? If so are they easy to work with?
A small local nursery has some for sale here ranging from $14 - $50, very nice looking trees.

[alpineart]

Hi Craig , i have a several Picea Albies Albertainia , Conical and a Globe . All are still alive , progress is slow as is their growth . They need watering every day during the hot weather , mix "must" be free draining or the will rot very quickly . Back budding is very rare so an open tree/ canopy is usually the prefered outlook for my trees as shaded inner growth dies off rapidly .

When cutting off branches they bleed profusely and as long as a season so i seal them with sticky mud , i have used bitumen wound sealer but its not as affective . Slow and steady when wiring , i use hook and hold wiring as they take a long time to hold their shape at least 2 seasons from my experience .By all means give them a go , i was told and have read that Dwarf albertania "Globe" were unsuitable for Bonsai , Did i listen "NO" now i have a magic turtle back/tripple trunk {my opinion only}.Would i use one again , certainly .Cheers Alpine

[Craig.a.c]

Cheers alpinart. Might head back to the nursery and grab 1 or 2 and see what happens.

[kcpoole]

I had a Picea Abies for about a year, Did nothing then carked it!
They do not like Sydney weather it seems, but you guys might be ok

Ken