AusBonsai

I bought the above two plants at a nursery, but with my limited experience, did not give enough attention to the trunks.

The Calamondin- what is the best way to go- keep on pruning or plant in the garden to get a thicker trunk?




The cherry bush- very thin trunk. I planted it at a 45 degreee angle.Should I start to prune, or cut the trunk a bit shorter? Or any other ideas?

OK. Cherry first. You are right, put it in the ground, grow it long and fast, chop back hard each year.

The Calamondin story may not end so well.....

There's a thick root stock stem, then a nasty angle, then 4 or 5 "trunks" or branches all coming from the same place. Whatever you do, that structure will never look well. Options: layer just under where the "trunks" start, to get a genuine clump style. Then cut back, plant in the ground and thicken. 2nd option: cut all but two "trunks" out, cut them back quite short, plant at an angle, and use one for the trunk, the other for the first branch. Take your time to build a complex structure. 3rd option: stick it in the garden or a large pot, and enjoy the fruit. Not as bonsai. Layering can be done now, root work is best in late winter.

You are right, you didn't give enough attention to the trunks. It's a good principle never to buy anything unless you can see how the trunk is going to work as a bonsai. I've battled years on rubbish I should never have bought in the first place. Don't get sucked in by a pretty label, a "must have" variety, or a cheap price.

Good luck,

Gavin

Yes, my luck!

The cherry bush:

Put it in the ground, grow it long and fast, chop back hard each year.

Does it mean I need to prune it now hard as well?

Calamondin

layer just under where the "trunks" start, to get a genuine clump style. Then cut back, plant in the ground and thicken. 2nd option: cut all but two "trunks" out, cut them back quite short, plant at an angle, and use one for the trunk, the other for the first branch.

This is what I did. I am not clear about the options:
1. If I layer, should I leave a piece of the old trunk (1-2 cm) before I start with the top cut, or should I start with the top "cut" at the angle?
2.If it is like now, can I tilt the trunk to nearly horizontal and see what happens?





Just something else- do you see an area where I can perhaps layer this maple. None of the various types of seeds that I bought in January germinated.



Thanks

Yes,

1-2cms,

and Yes.

Trident - maybe just above the first right branch, and use the next left branch as the continuation of the trunk? None of the choices look straightforward.

Is there a club in your area?

Gavin

The infamous calamondin!
I went totally over the top and will see what happens. I cut the nasty angle out and are left with tho branches.

There are a mass of roots, so I suspect it will grow fast


Once they develop, should I still consider layering or even now? Ant at what height??







Any other ideas?? To get something at least?

Well, new shoots are coming out, any new ideas or just leave it?



I looked at this picture (although not a bonsai) and was just thinking if I should not try to shape some of the shoots horizontally or at 45 degrees?



I was also thinking of layering and then basically shorten the stem. Any ideas on that, and if I do it, at what height?

Thanks

Just a warning - your Calamondin is likely not longer. It was grafting and you cut right at the graft. The two bits you left apear to be it but all new growth will be trifoliata (a root stock that they use for citrus). I can see some trifoliata in the first few pics. It is the stuff with the three lobed leaves and the spines. You will notice (looking at the pic) that this growth comes from below the area where all the branches come from (the graft).

*EDIT* I see no reason why the trifoliata (rootstock) won't make a good bonsai. Give it a go!

Joel

Hi Joel

Well, a bit of a surprise!

Is this it? There are 2 images way down the page in the second link.

http://www.homecitrusgrowers.co.uk/ponc ... cirus.html
http://www.artofbonsai.org/galleries/vinh.php

What do you think of layering to get the stem shorter?

Thanks

Albie

The one in the first link; Poncirus trifoliata. The 'Flying Dragon' form mentioned in that link is quite different and rarely has foliage. It is a dwarfing rootstock. The flying dragon form is used as bonsai in Sydney and sold by one of our local bonsai nurseries. Your tree appears to be budded onto the straight species. I have not seen it used but suspect it would be fine. The plant in the second link is something else altogether.

Joel

Hi Joel and everyone

This is the progress with the Poncirus trifoliata. I have decided to layer it, to get a shorter tree- hope it will work as I did it the beginning of the month and we still have good summer til March/mid-April.





I suppose you are still convinced that we now have a trifoliata?!!

Any comments are welcome!

The cherry tree is progressing well, but the stem remains thin:





Albie

Just a warning - your Calamondin is likely not longer. It was grafting and you cut right at the graft. It was grafting and you cut right at the graft. The two bits you left apear to be it but all new growth will be trifoliata (a root stock that they use for citrus). I can see some trifoliata in the first few pics. It is the stuff with the three lobed leaves and the spines.

Just a follow up- it is growing well, I have layered it, but would like to know if it still looks like a trifoliata!





I am totally ignorant in this regard

Nope. The bud you kept must have been JUST above the graft. You are lucky to have the original plant you purchased. Just be aware than any buds from below there will likely not be the same plant.

Joel