AusBonsai

any suggestions on what to do next? pruned some side branches and created some leaders, pretty all over the place still... need help.

no suggestions? ok... i'll just have a go then.

I would be chopping back to above the bends, to generate some taper when you build the new top

Cat back to the first branch above the bend

Ken

Put in in the ground for growth in the next 2 yrs then chop it just above the bent. Don't chop it now. You need a big trunk for a good crab apple bonsai.

i don't have ground, would a styro growing pot do for the next few yrs?

so that's third branch from bottom???

LZRD84 wrote:i don't have ground, would a styro growing pot do for the next few yrs?

sure would mate, anything thats bigger than the nursery pot it is in will help even a large 50 litre pot cut down to 4 inches deep will work better


jamie

You could just put it in a larger growing pot but I would still cut back now to just above the first branch and use that as your leader. Then let the tree grow so the leader thickens as the trunk thickens and you can work on the developing branches as they come. Good start but the top of the tree is definitely on the endangered species list...

wow, the first branch ey? i'm seeing your point here, and i quite agree with it... gonna go for broke! but have to wait to repot hey?

my effort. let me know wht you think.

does this look right? i'm pretty beginner, just learning to make proper cuts; experienced advice would be greatly appreciated...

Looks fine. I just wanted to post you this link earlier but didn't get the time.
http://bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/ATCollecte ... Series.htm

Looks fine to me and now just let it go mad
Another chop in a year or 2 of the leader s that develops and you will have a nice base to work with

Kne

It may be too late now but if the wound hasn't already healed over with sap, use a bit of honey to cover the wound after your bigger cuts. Just a bit of extra protection as some wounds can take a while to fully heal and you don't want anything bad (health-wise) being able to get into the plant while it is vulnerable.

thanks for that link. awesome stuff. and thanks for the tip for using honey... will try, think its already healed.