Bougie, should I cut it back?

[Beano]

I got this cool bougie last week, with exposed roots. I love it but I think its a bit tall. I was thinking of cutting it back to each of the three main branches, but how much of the stubs would be advisable to leave?

[klaery]

I have no styling advice but I will say that in the past I cut two old bougies back to bare stumps and both sprouted no worries. Wait for somebody more experienced though, I did that before I got into bonsai when helping the old man with landscaping. There were no plans to keep the trees alive (though they are still there and I may collect them one day).

[Dario]

Love this tree mate!
Don't have this species myself.
I would lose the thick right hand trunk and cut the taller middle trunk by half from where they all fork, and then regrow it.
This has real potential
Cheers, Dario.
EDIT actually looking again I would still remove right trunk, but try spreading the top of the middle trunk with wire to get separation and flow of the branches that are clustered together.
The height could be ok as is as it is a feminine tree. Could just do some pruning up top to finer growth.

[Newbie.mia]

Bougies are not generally prone to dieback in my experience with them the only issue I have run into with them is they are sometimes quite susceptible to rotting.


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[Gerard]

Bougie.jpg

I like the height but agree that perhaps the right trunk could go. I think you will lose the beauty of the exposed roots if the height is reduced.

[Beano]

I do like that virtual, but the only problem is the left branch comes off the back and then grows to the side, making an ugly bulbous area like someone glued it on. So if I were to remove a branch I thought it would likely be that one.

[kcpoole]

I would cut back hard to regrow terminal branching at different heights.
This will give the multiple heights of foliage and thus platforms for the colourful bracts

Ken

[Gav]

Hey Mate, Please don't take this seriously...Couldn't help myself...

Bougie (1).jpg

Gav

[Gav]

It just reminded me of the weeing boy pond statue...

[Gerard]

I still like the left branch.
Three roots into one trunk then into three trunks is too symmetrical and makes me uncomfortable.

[Beano]

It just reminded me of the weeing boy pond statue...

Lol thankfully the boy part points backwards, doesn't look like that in real life. Funny way 2 dimensions does

[Gav]

ahhhhh.... 2 dimensions, they'll get ya every time
yeah... I'd take Kens advice... but on the flip side, that was my first Virt. That must mean I am a pro now . If only my trees would reflect that

[Beano]

I cut it back 6 weeks ago and then again today. I hope to one day get this into a round jade green glazed pot.

[Beano]

Trying to get this to ramify but it's being very slow about it. I decided to defoliate if and wire it... Unfortunately managed to snap a big branch, but it may have been for the best. Here's the result.

[kcpoole]

Getting there slowly they take ages to ramify here
I would chop the top section back to the shoot on the left tho too. too long and straight.

Ken