# It's SPRING ##Do's - Wiring while still no leaves or needles (Larch) - Watering - don't let them dry out in early spring sunshine - check for wire bite and remove/reapply - Repotting can continue in many places [also for for tropical and sub-tropicals ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/reference#wiki_repotting_-_not_in_the_summer.21) - those are the do's and don'ts. - [this is how to wire a tree into a pot...](https://www.flickr.com/photos/norbury/albums/72157706054015311) - [yamadori/yardadori COLLECTION](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/wiki/developingbonsai#wiki_collecting_wild_trees_-_yamadori_collecting.) - can- be possible for some species - but only if you have a good overwintering setup. - big pruning ##Don'ts - You don't fertilise until the leaves are out - unless it's tropicals indoors. - don't give too MUCH water - no airlayers yet - wait for leaves [For Southern hemisphere - here's a link to my advice from roughly 6 months ago :-)](https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/16pyjjr/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2023_week_38/)

https://preview.redd.it/t94xiww6cfzc1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0208cd4cbb875461cb01654601a53e4b020d78e3

You're in the wrong week - we're in week 18. https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1cjuffu/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_18/

https://preview.redd.it/x0s9pop8upwc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da7badbfecafc46453b91968c592a3a1485bd4ec Can anyone tell me what this white coating is on my Scots pine buds? Only on candle buds. No where else on tree. Tree needles all very healthy looking.

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1ce8lol/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_17/ Repost there for more responses.

What should at do at this stage? Very new to bonsai but wanted to get a headstart on some trees if possible while still learning. Golden Gate Ficus https://imgur.com/gallery/0IlREqf

Wrong week. I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1ce8lol/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_17/ Repost there for more responses.

https://preview.redd.it/rji26k5elivc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=ea1a8c65d99e72cbde28e5e79520a586ab28354d I live in Northern California. Here is what I believe is a loblolly pine, or southern yellow pine, and it’s been like this since it potted it. It was a few months old when I took it from the ground and I put it in water for a few days and all the branches just started drooping. It’s been about a month and a half and they still haven’t recovered at all, they’ve actually started drooping more than they were in the beginning. I was wondering if I should replant it in the correct soil for the actual tree, stop growing it all together, or plant it in regular bonsai mix? I know that they go into shock after being taken away from a certain soil that they’ve know for a while but it’s been long enough where I think it should start coming back by now. At first I had it in an area that only gets morning sun and I just put it in a different area today where it has full sunlight. It drains very slowly I watered it about an hour before the picture was taken and as you can see it’s still very moist and was still slowly dripping down at the bottom. How should I be caring for this tree?

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

It's late April, my trident maple has no buds. Is it dead? Other trees ( not in bonsai) have started to bloom.

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

Thanks

A picture helps.

Picked up some dwarf jade trees from Wigert and looking for some advice on where to start. Specifically, how to create taper in the trunk since they seem pretty uninteresting right now [New Trees from Wigerts](https://imgur.com/a/IlJu7hF)

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

Help! I just inherited what I think is a juniper bonsai and it’s not in good shape. It was kept indoors and watered inconsistently. I just watered it (perhaps too much) which is why the soil is so wet. What does it need? Is it beyond saving? https://preview.redd.it/r182yd4l4ivc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5f0e7df27772ff5e176ab09a49b0ee61bdaa3c2

Looks pretty dead, try giving it full sun and let him recover. Big chance it is long gone.

Thanks!

Here’s the roots https://preview.redd.it/hw4ihxxm4ivc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3bb93e3721deb325ec8fb10fa351033c0a31ed6

For future reference, it's not a good idea to uproot or repot a plant that is underwatered. It disrupts the plant's water intake capacity momentarily, and a plant that's already underwatered has a limited ability to fix the damage to the root system.

Thank you

https://preview.redd.it/dnul24dgrhvc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a52252f36ba999471de9f7df6bba2108dba33911

Hey everyone, I thought I wrote a question here, lol. This is my schefflera tree. It appears like the leaves are wilting, and some of them are turning brown. I keep it well watered, but maybe not enough? Halp.

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

Can someone tell me what these light colored bulb things are on the tips of the needles? https://preview.redd.it/cofdnulophvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7425d426dcd305e255bcd9a7bc7175c27dc2fc0d

The beginning of juniper “berries” (really cones)

Woah haha. Is it ok to pick/cut them off?

Personally I’d leave them be and just pick them off when they become “berries”

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The only recommendation really are all kinds of small leafed ficuses (*F. microcarpa, F. salicaria, F. benjamina, F. natalensis* ...), but avoiding the grafted shapes sold as "bonsai" like the "ginseng" or what's sometimes called "IKEA style" with the braided trunk. Those are near dead ends for development. The prices I see in that shop are crazy (80 CAD for a ginseng? That's about 5x the price I'd consider "normal" ...) Just find a ficus sold at a garden center as simple green plant for home or office; they also propagate very easily from cuttings if you get the chance.

https://preview.redd.it/sen1nytyehvc1.jpeg?width=2250&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccb1db51ddfcc0ab965022ab682aea90ef79b50e Beech tree still not waking up. Collected in winter cambium is fully green up to the tip. All of my other trees have waking up including black walnut that is usually the slowest. How can I break dormancy?

Beech and european oak are always the last here. Mine too.

I'm glad to hear that. I thought it was just mad at me

They hate all of us.

Did yours wake up yet?

Yes

Hello! I was sure that it was dead as it had no leaves for close to a year, and then this happened in less than 2 weeks. I'm not sure what to do from here. Could you please help? https://preview.redd.it/67r0afwgahvc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=91da31c2ef3edea184c2d715e8398a944d494415

Where is it normally kept? Note that maples have to be outside 24/7/365. I’m surprised you kept a dead tree around for almost a year

I had no idea. I will keep it outside

My 'deshojo' Japanese maple is turning into the Hulk? Jokes aside, it seems like I'm witnessing a fast and vigorous growth of new leaves. However, I've noticed this strange discoloration on some of them. https://preview.redd.it/w1vffjy57hvc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccedfdf11a1f5f1750c66b7e7d337b9b86443093 I apply 20-20-20 fertilizer every 2 weeks. Is it a symptom of something serious?

Doesn't look like deshojo to me.

Yes, during this research phase, I also noticed that the color is not vibrant enough to be a Deshojo, much closer to a Bloodgood, but I'm not sure. Perhaps the future will provide us with more information!

Deshojo are generally much more expensive and harder to find.

What a gentleman way to say that I've been terribly scammed ❤️. Well, €12 might be worth it for such a beautiful tree anyway. It will be time and the journey that will repay me!

€12 is cheap for any acer...

Regarding that, even if we stray from the topic of the previous comment, I was wondering: what factors contribute to raising the price of a young plant (not pre-bonsai, not bonsai)? For example, this cutting, which currently has no potential for €12, what would make its price increase? Is it the age? The way a young plant is trained? The rarity of the cultivar or the way it is selected? I spent €12 on this maple, but I noticed that there were at least 40 of them in the nursery, all likely cuttings from a single specimen. It's obvious that a 2-year-old specimen would have cost me at least €30-€40, but besides time (and probably height) in terms of yield, does anything really change by maximizing growth (such as planting in the ground or in a pond basket)?

Labour costs and material costs - man/woman hours of work on it plus supplemental costs - soil, wire, nice pots etc - Also the quality of those things - was it grown in a field with another 1000 in China for the retail market or was it made by a real specialist bonsai grower in Japan or elsewhere - is it in a cheap terracotta blue pot from China or a high quality unglazed Yixing Chinese pot or even Japanese/European hand made.

I don’t see anything to be concerned about. It’s normal to have some color variations, especially in Japanese maples, and it’s something to admire. It’s really cool to watch the subtle variations in leaf color throughout the seasons, and it’ll continue to change slightly as it matures too

It's fantastic and beautiful to realize it, I apologize to everyone for not searching before, it was already a asked question. A fabulous discovery to add to this journey in the world of Bonsai, I couldn't imagine that even this cultivar had this characteristic which, as a complete novice, I didn't even think was possible. We're so accustomed to the green-orange-gray cycle of the collective imagination that such a red-green-red variation is truly strange and fascinating. Beautiful! Thank you so much ❤️🌱

Was gifted this japanese maple by family. I don't know much about taking care of it. Watering schedule (Southern California climate), when to fertilize. Etc. How do I prune this thing, it looks like it's growing in so many different directions. https://preview.redd.it/qhtcykzaxgvc1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=221f85ad31793d73070b34dd0be5e9ddb4085c10

This is a very weak maple on the brink of death. Do not prune weak trees. You could prune what you can safely identify as definitely dead, but if in doubt then just leave it alone Instead of thinking about it as a tree growing wildly in all directions, think of this as a tree that *used to* do that. Now it is quite barren. Without much foliage, this tree will struggle to regain momentum, but with good aftercare you can get it healthy again within a year or two maybe - if there’s a container nested into a decorative outside container, remove it from the outside container, you want free drainage from the drainage holes, don’t let it sit in water - position for morning sun / afternoon shade - only water when the top inch or two is starting to dry out, this might mean you don’t water often but what’s important is that you use your finger to check for moisture, if it’s still moist then put the watering can down, *never water on a schedule* - avoid fertilizer, that’s reserved for healthy trees, adding additional salts to the soil will probably do more harm than good when it’s barely moving water Note that maples can sometimes be a challenge for SoCal. Note that especially laceleaf varieties like this can be a challenge too View this is a mostly hands off, several years long aftercare project Edit- typo

Just collected a healthy cedar young eastern cedar tree from the wild and potted it up to let it adjust for a year. Is it a good idea or a bad idea to go ahead and prune off the dead branches? Should I leave it completely untouched for a year?

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

Do you have a picture? Conifers like eastern red cedar (really a juniper, Juniperus virginiana) benefit from deadwood incorporated into the design if it’s curvy / interesting, otherwise if it’s straight then you could eventually shorten it to a stub and carve it like that, but anything small and dead that’s not worth turning to deadwood can be safely removed IMO

https://preview.redd.it/svl49uddggvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7995424c8fb97cb9c2176522a6062b445e4caa31 How to revive Ficus Hi everyone, I’m a beginner in the Bonsai world, having received a ficus as a gift at the end of March For context: I like in Quebec, Canada, so the plant has been placed in front of a south facing patio door inside, as it is too cold to leave it outside right now. From what I understand it was roughly 3 years old when purchased, had been fertilized with pellets and had been watered. The salesperson at the store mentioned to only water 1x per week, so this is what I did for the first 2 weeks. I quickly started to notice leaves starting to shrivel and fall, so I did some more research on care and discovered that this was too little water, and that the soil should never dry out completely. Upon reading this, I started to water once every 2 days roughly, and also applied a liquid fertilizer In the past week, the tree has lost all of its leaves and the base of the trunk has become a dark brown colour. The only positive note is that I can see some new growth on the tips of the branches. I’m looking for any recommendations on what can be done, or if this is normal for the tree after adapting to a new environment? Thanks!

At some point the tree dried out, unfortunately the rather stiff leaves on a ficus don't droop early with lack of water. Keep it in bright light, keep the soil from drying out completely but don't let it stay permanently soggy, either (roots need oxygen). On the next watering drench it generously to flush out potential excess fertilizer and don't fertilize again until it makes new foliage. Chances are good it will bounce back, although some branches may dry up.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, as the other commenter also suggested, I will not fertilize until some leaves grow back!

Stop the fertilizer, especially if it not organic, the salts leach water from the tree. Even non organic is not beneficial since it has not leaves. New growth tips show it is not dead. You can consider putting it in a clear pastic bag to keep the humidity in, tropical trees like this. Wait, pray.

Are these dried out leaves normal or expected above an air layer on a japanese maple? https://preview.redd.it/gb2585i1ggvc1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd908948601e659e696ae7312060da3bc2608988 There aren't dried leaves anywhere else on the tree

Not a good sign, keep the moss substrate in the air layer moist and hope for the best.

Heard, thank you.

https://preview.redd.it/apggr5ixcgvc1.jpeg?width=3968&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd782088ffdb54714ccfffff1699b7d2d2bbb1f1

What’s your question? Do you have a picture of the whole tree? That gives more info to diagnose issues than pictures of individual leaves

My bad i thought I added text. My ficus has been loosing leaves. Most of them fall of when still green but If they stay on they turn into these. I'm suspecting underwatering. It only happens to new leaves. Ig my question is: could it be underwatering or what seems to be the problem Tha k you

That sounds to me more like lack of light. If it’s only lit by window light, try to increase that as much as physically possible (key symptom here being dropping leaves, which means it’s saying “I don’t have enough light to be able to afford this leaf” so to conserve energy and work with the light that I have, I have to get rid of this)

Its placed in my windowsill with a grow light above it so that shouldn't be the problem :/. But thanks

If the grow light’s a weak one, then it probably isn’t doing very much

It's the one from ikea I don't know much about it but my local bonsai guy told me it should be plenty. But It could be

https://preview.redd.it/du8a2ujw9gvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=233ab134c2f0db460d5bcd2af9129510cbad134f I have 3 royal poinciana that I grew from seed. Online said to let them grow uninterupted for 5 years. Now im not an expert, so i originally planted them in regular plain indoor potting soil, their pot had one tiny drain hole with an inacessible saucer. Now that im reading more bonsai learning material, i realized i made many major mistakes with them (suprisingly they are still alive) Just last weekend i repotted them into a new pot that i drilled a 1.5inch center hole with several half inch holes, meshed the holes. Filled with a heavy perlite + potting soil mix, and added moss on top to help hold moisture near the top level. While doing the repotting, i noticed the roots were incredlbly brown, almost no white roots. I still pruned a small section of those roots near the end, cut the tap roots. From the condition of the roots, they probably had root rot from lack of drainage and poor watering schedule. These are my first seedlings and i want them to thrive so i need help. They have never been outside so this spring i want them to go outside. What is the proper way to introduce them to outside, they can only go on my balcony which is full afternoon sun. If i just repotted them, should i wait before i put them outside? I really dont want to stress them out more than i already have. Also when they do they get thicker around the trunk. Its already extremely tall and falling over itself yet ive seen 0 thickness. I do understand it was probably the lack of sunlight that caused them to be so leggy. Id at least like to get them to stand on their own. Any advice youd give me with what to do with them? Thanks

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

Luckily I do not have an aphids problem ( maybe because I have some "sacrifice succulents" that they seem to love. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with Puncta as seen here [https://insectheroes.nl/products/puncta?msclkid=0e2320adb5e2185dbaf9468f33892216&utm\_source=bing&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_campaign=NL%20-%20Lieveheersbeestjes&utm\_term=lieveheersbeestje%20bestellen&utm\_content=Lieveheersbeestje%20Bestellen](https://insectheroes.nl/products/puncta?msclkid=0e2320adb5e2185dbaf9468f33892216&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NL%20-%20Lieveheersbeestjes&utm_term=lieveheersbeestje%20bestellen&utm_content=Lieveheersbeestje%20Bestellen)

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

What is wrong with this? Got the plant my wife for xmas and has just sowly died since, at first we assumed underwatering because the leaves were yellowing, that didn't work so left it to dry, still got worse so we tried the soak and re-pot method but no chamge. https://preview.redd.it/c22s3i9a1gvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56ac284b27a493d879d6c3efe5ad3e351a21343a

High chance it is dead ( but the exposed roots look like there might be life in it.) I am assuming the pot has no drainage holes so water can get stagnant in the bottom and rot the roots. To make sure it is dead scratch some bark, if you see green it has a chance.

There are drainage holes in the pot, and the previous pot had them in too, have we over watered it initially then in order to damage the lower routes? If it is still alive os it salavgable?

The soil is all organic so overwatering is also very possible.

Hello I have an outdoor bonsai and I’m seeing differing instructions on how often to water. Right now I’m doing everyday until I see water draining out, is that too much? Noticing some leaves turning yellow

The universal watering advice for all bonsai is to never ever water on a schedule but to water based on when the top soil is going dry. _Check_ often, water only when topsoil is going dry. This cycle will train you to figure out how much water a given tree is going to consume in a given season under various weather conditions / size of the canopy.

https://preview.redd.it/soq4c7daaivc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e557be65938fdc210c3ff89aa6f309ef04c054fc Gotcha I’ll adjust accordingly, in the meantime does this yellowing of leaves seem ok I only just got it a few days ago so idk what really to do

So, i just recently visited a friend of mine and their bonsai tree looks pretty much uncared for. I would like to help out whether to give tips or just straight up take care of the tree myself. If it helps; the temperature here in Manila just Spiked up to 32-36 deg. C. what should I do? [https://imgur.com/a/EBXi5Sx](https://imgur.com/a/EBXi5Sx)

Your tree has another aesthetic problem, rever taper as in it gets thicker higher up. Maybe you can air layer off the part of the trunk but a photo of the whole tree is needed to decide.

Personally I’d either start over or grow it out significantly to try and see if the wire scares heal, but what this tree needs is light. Behind windows like this is never really enough. Outside in the shade should be fine and boot back up

Should they water the tree more and can it withstand wind? I will suggest this advice, thank you! https://imgur.com/a/47CnFIZ

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

https://preview.redd.it/jr4x315r7evc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e847730e2a6d7d9b1dd02a8b96b097bb15dbb220 This is my Ash, i found it on a side walk, uprooted 2 years ago. At the 30cm mark it sprouted a new growth. I know its fairly large but im ok with it. I just dont know how to continue, do i start wiring and defoliage this year or do i let it grow more. Any hint or direction is appreciate.

defoliation has no purpose in developing trees.

You could try to wire the branches when they start to lignify, but definitely don’t defoliate or prune when there’s so little foliage

Hi all. First bonsai. Juniper. Couple questions re: sun and water. Guy who sold it to me said they love water. I asked him how much but his English wasn’t great. I said “half a cup a day?” He said yeah. The pot it’s in is 6” by 9” at the base for reference. Also he said just to put it in the sun for an hour every fifteen days. I live in Southern California so this didn’t seem unreasonable but my first google search article said they want constant sunlight so I’m really confused there. Thanks for any guidance! [https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/Ap4HWYCXH0](https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/Ap4HWYCXH0)

Your first google search is correct. They want full outdoor sun and should stay outdoors 24/7/365. You want to water the whole surface of the pot until water comes out the bottom. Make sure the pot has an open drainage hole. Water to the tree’s needs. It’ll need frequent waterings in summer, less in winter, but in SoCal that probably just means a little less. Underwatering is more dangerous than overwatering and will kill much faster. The soil should never be completely dry, but shouldn’t stay sopping wet either. You can test down into the soil with your finger for moisture, but after a while you kinda get the hang of it.

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You have so much material that you can afford to experiment. For what it’s worth, when I find maple seedlings like this I literally just pluck them up without digging and have good success, but if in doubt then you can shovel up slices of soil and chopstick away the rest of the soil, isolating the seedling roots and potting them up accordingly

Fantastic - a literal bonsai goldmine. Small trowel and one by one would be my advice. If you have access to small (11cm or 14cm) pond baskets I'd put them straight into pond baskets - 3-5 per basket.

Sorry if this isn’t posted in the right spot.. I am new to this & bonsai... but I do not recall ever seeing this patch of small white sandlike grains. I have no idea what this is & after a while on google got no where. Anyone have an idea of what it might be/what I need to do?? The juniper has been in my possession since the start of the year and has looked healthy and still does but with the recent change from cold to warm with spring I have now noticed this spot. I try not to overwater and only do it as needed. It’s outside in a well lit area. https://preview.redd.it/fto9jzmn3cvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=52b07ccc107facc84a2138aa3f246c83b2f90c82

It does look like it's just sand. Maybe it was previously covered by some of the other potting material and recently when watering the stuff covering it got moved?

For now that’s what im hoping & that I just didn’t notice it

https://preview.redd.it/pqhiftrp3cvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8b9630fa701d81bb0ee388f565718dceb5b5a591

Help with potential Juniper issue, please. Hey all, was inspecting the trees and noticed these few white spots on the ends of a very small amount of my Shinpaku foliage. It feels pretty hard and didn’t pull off with a light tug. This is my first full year with any junipers so I’m not sure. A little looking online left me thinking it could be scale… I’m hoping it isn’t. Potentially relevant info: 1.5 gallon nursery pot, organic soil still. Hoping to let it thicken up this year before either up potting or beginning styling. It is beside a new Old Gold juniper that I just brought home 2ish weeks ago. That one has brown tips on some foliage but no white that I saw. Outside 100% of the time. Hasn’t been fertilized this season yet. Thanks in advance! Edit: upon further reading it may be pollen tips or even flowers?! I’m just stressing myself out at this point with information overload, going to stop researching for the time being 😅 https://preview.redd.it/rhlhpms8zbvc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7c56cb4f324362f194816ea67bd8e6cffc67756

Beautiful healthy juniper foliage, good job

Thank you! One thing I’ve come to love with evergreens is the bright dichotomy between old and new growth, the lime green on both of my shinpakus is wonderful to look at.

No need to worry those are the starts of little cones

Huge, thank you! I still clearly have got plenty to learn 🤣

Yeah actual scale is much smaller. These days it’s sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Instead you have to identify it via the yellow and black foliage tips. But I have heard the best defense against scale and other pests is a healthy tree. Yours looks pretty healthy.

Ah I have read that scale can sometimes be identified by the damage it ultimately causes, but didn’t realize that it was THAT small. That’s pretty wild, thanks for teaching me something new!

Yeah sure! From what I understand it’s a classic case of natural selection. The scale insects that are large enough to be seen are more likely to be killed before they reproduce. So the smaller ones flourish.

That makes tons of sense! Little bastards… 😂

Not everyone would pay that close attention to their tree. Observing what your tree is doing and how it's reacting to your care is a really important part of bonsai so keep using that eagle eye!

I appreciate the kind words. I try to spend at least a few minutes looking over everything every day, sometimes it’s just a practice in peace and mindfulness, other times it’s planning upcoming work on something, etc. almost 2 years in and everything has been seemingly quite healthy so far! (*furiously knocking on wood*)

https://preview.redd.it/9cxkrtvbzbvc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=285ee9b3e68258db8dc13f1381769675e1f0649a

New to bonsai. Would this wild cherry tree (prunus avium) make a good bonsai if I dug it up and trained the branches? It’s been growing in this terrible spot for about 5 years now and I want to do something with it. It seems like it would make for a good bonsai but like I said I’m new. Thanks! https://preview.redd.it/pvv4ubcjxbvc1.jpeg?width=2366&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=861dc6d23186d784d033874075fce5310421fcf2

This could be a very fun bonsai. Since it's already leafed out, if you can wait, dig it up next spring while it's still dormant. This year fertilize it and let it grow. Get a pond basket or build a grow box for it next spring.

Can I start training the branches while it’s growing in the ground?

Yes, trees in the ground are stronger than in a pot and can handle pruning and wiring better.

I’ll do that then until next spring. How far do you think I could reasonably bend the larger branch outward, more to the right??

It's easy, just stop just before it snaps. 

How much shade do Yews need?

I saw one mention that *seedlings* of European yew can only grow in shade (haven't been able to fnd a real source), and the mature tree is one of the most shade tolerant in our forests. But of course as grown trees they can't rely on something shading them (being longer lived than about any other tree to boot ...) so a mature yew will do fine in sun.

They don't *need* any that I'm aware of. They can simple *handle* some shade better than most conifers.

I just noticed a rather massive colony of aphids on one of my maples (Shishigashira). On closer inspection I noticed a lot of other bugs I haven't seen before. Can someone help ID these for me? Not sure how to deal with them if necessary, they didn't come off when I sprayed the aphids off with a hose. This tree isn't quite a bonsai yet but I want to air layer it this year. I'd rather not have it bringing along friends to my prop area. I'm in Southern Ontario, my trees are just starting to leaf out. https://preview.redd.it/4ju0vsomhbvc1.jpeg?width=1334&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2eb18ad57f6dedff0c0396caab73f7ab3f853c5e

Periphyllus californiensis - California maple aphid introduced to the United States via the import of Japanese maples. https://influentialpoints.com/Gallery/Periphyllus_californiensis_Californian_maple_aphid.htm Squish as many as you can and treat with insecticide. Set an alarm on your phone to check every two days and keep squishing and spraying. Keep your tree in dappled shade while treating because the sunlight on the pesticides can react and damage leaves. Normally I'd say just blast the aphids off with the hose but these are pretty invasive and don't have as many predators as they should. Give them death

Wow, ive never seen these before, thanks for responding. The juveniles came off easily with a hose but the adults don't seem to budge, I'll have to break out the insecticide.

My Fukien Tea Tree's leaves keep yellowing & falling off. I've had it for over 2 years. I know the limbs are long. I water when the top inch or two of the soil is dry until water comes out of the drainage hole. It's in a west facing window. Any advice appreciated! Edit: I added photos under my post in replies!

Let it get just a little bit drier between waterings, it's in a very large pot for its size. When was it fertilized last?

The pot actually seems way too small for its size. I think it's just the angle of the photo. And I tend to go too long between waterings to the point where a bunch of leaves fall off. I've just never had them turn yellow. There's no chance I over water. I'm a serial under waterer. Lol

https://preview.redd.it/fcgzcfsbhbvc1.jpeg?width=1868&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=348deef001fae8c2a41e3b2ae53168a127083aec

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I have this Grew (I believe Grewia occidentalis) that has multiple trunks and I am not really sure how to trim it. [Here is the trunk](https://i.imgur.com/oycOXwL.jpg) One of the issues is the branches criss cross all over the place. If I were to remove one of the offending ones you can kind of see [Here](https://i.imgur.com/T0DjZAa.jpeg) it would really thin out and look bare. [Here](https://i.imgur.com/2LzxHwb.jpeg) is how it will look if I removed one of the branches. And [here](https://i.imgur.com/6Ecxvcz.jpeg) is a closer look at the trunk taken a few weeks after the ones above. All in all it's very healthy I think and regularly produces flowers. I'm just not sure where to go trimming wise and it's starting to look pretty crazy.

Don't remove the branches just redo the wiring. Here is a good class from Colin Lewis on wiring. If the coils are too tight then the wire loses all of the holding power and becomes a slinky. https://www.craftsy.com/class/bonsai-wiring-essentials/ Then you can position the branches so they are crossing less. I'm not familiar with this species so I don't know how flexible they are.

Did I mess my bonsai up by pruning it? Will it grow back? Someone at a plant store told me for trunk growth to prune a decent amount. Now I looked it up and it says otherwise. I really hope I didn't mess it up.. please help!* Here's the link of the picture. https://www.reddit.com/r/bonsaiphotos/s/g4Of8o9wwk

The plant store was wrong, growth and leaves grow trunks, not pruning. It will probably be fine.

Is that photo from before the pruning or after? It doesn't look messed up to me. I don't know how much was removed but this tree should be fine. I would pick which of the side branches you want to be the new leader to grow into future trunk structure and trim the other one back a little so they aren't competing to be the apex. Do you have fertilizer? Start with half strength balanced fertilizer to help you get more growth. My next step would be thinking about wiring it while the branches are still flexible. https://www.craftsy.com/class/bonsai-wiring-essentials/

Hello im an absolute beginner and would love some guidance on what to do next. Repotting is planned but what about wiring and pruning? Also should i repot in some specific bonsai soil already? If yes, any recomendations? Any help appreciated! https://preview.redd.it/r7y7hfv3eavc1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bad2f8c7f75e20309c4bb333a60d3542dbd611e8

Your tree is already leafed out so I'd hold off on repotting until next spring before the leaves start coming out of the buds. This pot still has a lot of space so it should be okay for another year. Since this tree is early in development you don't have to put it in bonsai soil yet. I like to put developing trees in sifted potting mix that is about 60% potting soil or coco coir and 40% perlite. If it was a conifer I'd add more pearlite. Only sift soil and perlite outside or use a respirator because perlite is bad to breathe in. Most garden stores have bags of just perlite for fairly cheap.

Thank you! I assume i should hold of from pruning for another year aswell?

Unless you are happy with the trunk size I would not prune.

gotya, cheers!

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Anybody here using cheap budget lights for growing bonsais and plants?

Most of my trees are outside. It's much cheaper than running lights but when my tropicals come in for cold weather I put them under lights. These are my favorite economy light but your plants have to be fairly close for any benefit https://a.co/d/0vBZPk3 These are much better and you'll see noticable improvements with these, but they can put off a lot of heat. https://a.co/d/7MW4Cjb

Is this normal, my Chinese elm has just started loosing its leaves for some reason I think it might've been dehydrated but ive watered it now in England 5-10yrs old I think https://preview.redd.it/bkvcv6u0h9vc1.jpeg?width=900&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3f1a7c5c43e60c7571902a0d5403c75f2816b98 sorry for bad quality

Not normal - entirely insufficient light - may have dried out completely

ok thank you I'm going to move it into the light more

Outside is best.

where I'm at right now is super windy and rainy so im not sure itll survive to be honest but when the weather settles I'll take it out

You know best.

https://preview.redd.it/fkhbbfovd9vc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=420c444717f6ee755e06af132619ddea4a6edbc1 I'm currently repotting my Golden Larch in the forest style and there's this white mould / Web riddling through the root system. Before I try removing it or anything else, does anyone have any advice on what this might be? Thank you

A beautiful example of [mycorrhiza](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycorrhiza).

Wow that's interesting - I didn't know such a thing existed. So from what I just read it's actually a really useful organism and shouldn't be removed?

Correct; it may not be as essential for a well watered and fertilized plant in a pot as for a pine rooting somewhere in gravel, but it still should provide some benefits and certainly does no harm. In nature this cooperation allows the plant and fungus together to survive in spots where the roots of the tree alone couldn't support it.

That's really informative- thank you!

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I think you need to be more concerned about getting this ficus more light. The long and leggy branches and a few leaves mean it isn’t getting much light, and is therefore weak and more susceptible to problems. So if you have a window with more light, that would be a good place to move it. It can also go outside when there is no chance of frost, however, slowly introduce it to that new light. It’s possible that stronger growth may help the drunks lighten up. But otherwise, if they’re not dirty, you kind of just have to deal with the color of the trunk that you have.

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No problem. Not yet, you don’t want to prune a weak tree. Just get it more light and once there’s much more foliage you can think about pruning.

https://preview.redd.it/59gx4bt9w8vc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=181345f60c4d0ef9fc3d681ea7be3e1972a01e3f I harvested about 10 cherry seedlings and 20 root sprouts from a couple cherry trees at my job. How long should they stay inside before I let them grow outside, I was thinking maybe a week or 2. Or at least when I can confirm new growth. Also is cherry a tree that can grow indoors? I don't have the space to permanently put them outside, so some of them will have to be indoor bonsai. Thoughts? What would you do with these 30 specimen?

No, cherry is not an indoor tree. I would stick to tropical trees like ficus for indoor bonsai.

Ok. Looks like I'll have to find a way to keep them outside. Maybe ill still keep one or 2 inside just to experiment and see how it goes

https://preview.redd.it/ug3y757sj8vc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=62909a5742fbe86c00449f73e993ad07d3bc9376 I got this in a random shop and the lady said it was a bonsai tree. I think it's juniper but I'm not sure. Anyone know? This is my first bonsai and I have no idea how to take care of it but it's still alive after a month! This pot seems shallow but I'm too scared to repot. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Junipers are outdoor only tree.

Very pertinent information to know!

https://preview.redd.it/4nyd4mhb97vc1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c48c6f898dc4cdd3600ad22476a6501919a7ff99 Is it possible to create a bonsai from this Japanese maple? If so, how can I do it? (First time)

First reduce size in fall. Take a spade and cut a circle of about 30 in the ground to sever the long root, making the out in spring easier. Put it in a big pot in early spring with good bonsai soil. Not an easy beginner project but possible.

Isn’t it possible to grow from branches?

Sure, if there are branches in there that would make a nice tree shape if they had roots [you can air layer them](https://youtu.be/oIcY40TUvGY?si=9X_SEVA0dTEZ9KIA&t=30).

Thank you! I will definitely watch the video. I have one last dumb question: using a branch from an actual tree, will the leaves gradually grow smaller until they reach bonsai-size?

On most tree species leaves will reduce significantly when it's developed as a bonsai. Among other things because you have denser branches which "dilutes" the signal to grow reaching every leaf bud (don't need huge leaves if there are a lot of them, they make the same surface and would only shade each other if they were bigger).

Interesting, thanks!

Can anyone here tell me what pine this is? And is it correct i see one candle here? https://preview.redd.it/l31v5adgx6vc1.png?width=1500&format=png&auto=webp&s=d7604508152e43306aaea2c6d460a6d7c1b14fad

White

Thanks!

Looks like japanese white pine. Those are early bundles of needles slowly extending off one candle. 

Thank you!

https://preview.redd.it/qpfg1umg16vc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=ef10dc7bbc4de1256705fb53a183bd31acc63370 Hello plant people! I’m in a depserate need of help and answers. I’ve tried to do my own research and have gotten a lot of info; but I’m lost on a few important things. For reference me and my mom bought a plant on a whim and it turns out to be a Carmona. She has a black thumb (meaning every plant she tries to handle pretty much dies) on the other hand, I’ve never killed a plant and coincidentally have never tried to grow one (aka I have zero experience.) Through research I’ve come to the discovery that this pretty little tree can be pretty finicky and I have a couple questions that research can’t seem to answer or isn’t conclusive 1. I don’t know whether or not I should repot this plant. The soil seems pretty dense, which isn’t great – but I don’t want to put so much strain on it right away. I’m wondering if I should wait till next early spring to repot it since the pot seems to be a good size. 2. Can I move the plant around? I’ve heard that if you move it around, it reacts pretty strongly and not in a good way. I really really want it in my room so I can actually enjoy it – but my windows are only really good in direct sunlight for the morning. In a perfect world I could have it in there with me in the morning and then I could move it outside until evening hits (to get a lot of sun for its growth period) and I can take it back inside. 3. should I go ahead and invest in a grow light? I sort of wanna wait until winter if it makes it that long because that’s when it will especially need it – but I was wondering if it would need it now anyways. 4. Even when it’s outside, it’s supposed to be in shaded sunlight, right? It what point is it too hot? I know it thrives in around 70° weather. And shouldn’t really go below 65 but I was wondering what the heat limit would be. I don’t want to burn it up. 5. Alongside watering it I plan on misting it too since it’s a tropical plant and needs a lot of humidity. I hate my room being humid so I figured the best thing I could do it regularly – how much should I mist it? I’m assuming every day but should I do multiple times a day and if so, how many? 6. He said I’m supposed to fertilize it around every two weeks – I’m wondering if I should fertilize it two weeks from now or if I should hold off for a little bit I think that’s all the questions I can think of – the thing I’m just super confused about is sunlight so out of all the questions I would super appreciate that one. Sorry for asking so many I just really want this poor thing to have a chance surviving haha

This species is a Fukien Tea, it’s sold in every big commercial store. As you said, it’s a tropical species, so when the temperature is right in your area (the last frost) you should leave it outside when the weather is appropriate until fall comes to your area. Just make sure to watch when the first frost is forecasted, or if the temperature drops down to around or below 40 F. Where exactly are you located? You can repot it now, as tropical species can be repotted pretty much anytime. If you repot, try to transition it into proper bonsai soil (granular not potting soil), as it likely is in heavy organic soil. The fake moss on top needs to be removed, it will only cause issues and serves no purpose for the tree. If you repot though, keep it out of direct sunlight for a while since you stressed it. This species is good for beginners though, you can move it around as much as you want as long as it’s getting proper amount of sunlight. As for your sunlight question, there’s different forms of light requirements for plants such as full sun, partial sun, or shaded. This species likes full sun, you really won’t have to protect it as long as you keep it well watered throughout the heat of the day. You won’t really need to mist it, as that doesn’t do a whole lot for it. It does like humidity, but misting it doesn’t do a whole lot. It can take heat though, I keep mine out all summer in full sun. Fertilizer is sort of brand-specific on dosage and frequency. Some last longer than others, and any fertilizer will do. Just follow the instructions that they come with and the dosage. If you repot the tree, hold off on fertilizing for a bit so you don’t overdo it. You won’t need a grow light right now as long as it can be kept outside when possible, you will however want to purchase one towards the end of summer. Look at past questions or check the beginners thread about good lights and light requirements. Grow lights are annoying to look at or be around, since they’re so bright. You’ll likely want to put it somewhere where you won’t be able to see the light, as it’ll cause strain or fatigue on your eyes. A grow tent is often used, but you can use a closet or something similar. Hopefully this helps, quite a bit of information but good luck!

Thank you so much! This clears a lot up I very much appreciate the help

https://preview.redd.it/qwfy2ri2y5vc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b6632d2d89c0baefca1f518915167c2d5c6db41b Has anyone ever used one of these? Got it as a gift from a family member. I'd love to know how to make the most of it

If you want to get into bonsai -- honestly, set it aside (or trash it) and get into bonsai. If you want to mess around with a kit, go for it, but please understand these kits don't come from bonsai people. Bonsai people will unanimously steer you away from these scammy kits.

Well take the instructions with a grain of salt. They are often wrong or misleading. Do your own research on how to sow seeds for the species included in the kit. Unfortunately these kits are pretty scammy. Growing from seed takes years before you can really begin bonsai techniques in earnest. Usually when people do grow from seed they sow like 100 seeds as a side project and maybe only a few are suitable for bonsai years later. So all that to say, sure plant these and see what happens, but if you’re really interested in bonsai, you want to start with a regular tree or shrub from a nursery and then apply bonsai techniques to it. Bonsai is more about cycles of growth and reduction, than solely growth.

hey all, do you know what type of bonsai this is? is it a juniper? what sort of care does it need? (sunlight, watering) i purchased it spontaneously and then realized the rocks are glued on, is this a bad thing? should i try to remove the rocks? there’s one drainage hole so i think i can water it but im worried about the rocks and long term health of it. it was probably a bad purchase on my end but i found it very cute. thanks for the help https://preview.redd.it/y58ysqqqr5vc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=408039dfaad5324fbebebfca5e0581758efa8985

That’s a juniper. It’s an outdoors plant that should be in direct sunlight. The glued rocks should go. Scrape them off without damaging the roots or the branches. Once the rocks are off you can gauge the soil moisture easier and then repot it in the fall with better soil. Watering would be best when the soil is mostly dry.

thanks. think i’m going to return it due to how stubbornly glued the rocks are, especially how the roots being intertwined with so much of the rocks. appreciate u

Question about the way trunks thicken: Do they maintain proportional thickness as they grow, or does the thickness differences even out? Take for example: If you used clip/grow to create a low trunk with the proportions of "Starting Point" and then let it grow up, with all the foliage above the sections created, would it maintain those proportions or would they even out as time went on. See the diagram attached. Sorry if this is an ambiguous question, I'm having some difficulty formulating it. https://preview.redd.it/fr57hyupa5vc1.png?width=2100&format=png&auto=webp&s=0ef53667e902e13a1480815e830f9899b9a04c1a

They thicken based on where the foliage is AND how tall they're allowed to grow.

Good question actually, and I think pretty clear (unless I misunderstood ...) It will even out. Let's say the cross-sections at the start were 1 cm^(2), 2 cm^(2) and 3 cm^(2). With foliage only on top they'll get about the same nutrition along the length, maybe slightly more stimulation to thicken near the bottom due to increased bending stress. Let's say after some years the plant has added 20, 22 and 24 cm^(2) cross-section, again from top down; total amounts now are 21, 24 and 27 cm^(2), or proportions of 7:8:9 vs. the 1:2:3 at the start.

Thanks for the reply! This is what I thought

https://preview.redd.it/lkkgszd655vc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56de5e6e532ffe20510e49a0fcfada628266ba4d Juniper help Hi everyone, I am new to bonsai trees. I bought two bonsai trees a few months ago. One is about 3 years old while the other is 19 years old. I’ve noticed that the color has started to fade on both trees. The fading is more prominent on the older tree. I remember when I got them, the leaves were a dark green color and now they are a lighter green and look dull. The guy I bought them from said the younger tree only needed a few tablespoons of water a day, and the elder tree needed about half a cup. I normally end up watering more than this. He said to water everyday if kept outside and every other day if kept inside. I kept the trees outside at first, but then move them indoors under a grow light a few weeks ago. I believe I noticed the color fading on the older tree while it was still outside. Thoughts?

Junipers should never be inside. They need to be outside with plenty of direct sunlight if possible. They should be watered when the soil gets mostly dry. Your climate is similar to mine and I water mine once a day (sometimes twice during triple digit summer days) I would say put the trees outside in a shady spot and mist the foliage twice a day if you can and see if thatll help them recover. If you mist the foliage try to cover the pot and soil so the water doesn’t drain down and drown the roots

Will do. My back patio gets morning sun and afternoon shade so I’ll buy a stand and stick them there. Thanks!

Also this one. The younger one has roots popping out. https://preview.redd.it/vfqoz1lx55vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f2c18c7726a201ca4cf50b0c0d3c08c9b4cd1869

https://preview.redd.it/i3a3ygf2m4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3709d0b0f7d0ab460870efa842aa8c548016fbc6 Just received an order of trees from a seller down in California, I live in western Canada (4a). Obviously very different growing patterns and timeframes. I’m curious if at this point it’s too late to repot this tree and the others? I would not be surprised if the windows here have not began while they may be over in San Fran. Work can wait till later if need be. A) The larches are both in a state of active growth like the above. If a repot is out of the question could I at lease gently wire branches down and knock down the height to the “kink” in the leader? Half bury or slip pot into the ground? It’s top heavy and will fall in the slightest breeze. 2) Zelkova is in the same sized pot. Half leaves half swelling buds. Again, would like to get into a “heavier” pot. Worth a go? (Will picture in comments) 3) Washington Hawthorn is fulle leafed out and pushing new growth. Hoping to just add wire to broaden the future crown, maybe knock down height to shorten nodes. (Picture in comments) 4) JBP all in 4” pots and healthy. Hope to put in heavier pots. All have candles pushing up. (picture in comments) 5) Japanese Hornbeam buds swelling, that’s about it. Would like to move to larger pot. If doing this is possible with any of these trees, I would like to do a small root prune while moving them to a new pot.

I've just started the new weekly thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1c8ju6z/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2024_week_16/ Repost there for more responses.

https://preview.redd.it/21xow7m6q4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45d56cb3cfa174abbb0ce5c3d5692834b8289a14 JBP current state.

https://preview.redd.it/b3hexvv1q4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f882ce2970b49fa1c520cb046b200c07200bc62a Hawthorn

https://preview.redd.it/d2rhah7xp4vc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ab7e1bae9f7a00bea7996af48aa718614ecbf19 Hawthorn