Forsythia bonsai?

[MichaelS]

How much die back does this get when cutting back? I cut one branch back that had a huge clump whorl of branches that was not pleasant looking. It wasn't quite hollow...but not totally solid when I did it. With it being dormant...I didn't put any paste on the location. But I left it longer than desired for dieback issues. Maybe the younger material doesn't have solid branching? Or, I could have cut it back more.

Not sure but it's always better to cut back long and wait for buds to appear in spring then cut back to where you really want to.

 

[Soldano666]

Don't know if it helps out much like a maple it will die back to the collar of the next node. I have a collected one which was over potted at collection and allow to grow for the past 3 seasons without a repot. I needed to gain some girth on the new leaders from the stump. Side branches were kept in check. Durning growth I could cut flush with paste, no die back. Dormant or early spring I could do the same. Chopping from the collection ondid get die back. But none since then. How ever some branches get weak and no matter how hard you cut back other ones the tree will still abort that branch.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Don't know if it helps out much like a maple it will die back to the collar of the next node. I have a collected one which was over potted at collection and allow to grow for the past 3 seasons without a repot. I needed to gain some girth on the new leaders from the stump. Side branches were kept in check. Durning growth I could cut flush with paste, no die back. Dormant or early spring I could do the same. Chopping from the collection ondid get die back. But none since then. How ever some branches get weak and no matter how hard you cut back other ones the tree will still abort that branch.

Yes, I was hoping to the next node. So experimented leaving it to the one node before where I really wanted. I'm sure you seen the forsythia I got. But for sake of the post will share again. It's been in that pot seller said for 4-5 years if not mistaken. That thick branch on the top left, I wish to cut back to where it branches off to the thinner one. But didn't want to lose that other branch.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Not sure but it's always better to cut back long and wait for buds to appear in spring then cut back to where you really want to.

Thanks...I guess that is the step I took. Just being unsure of the behavior and not wanting to lose the direction with where I want this to go.

 

[Soldano666]

Yes, I was hoping to the next node. So experimented leaving it to the one node before where I really wanted. I'm sure you seen the forsythia I got. But for sake of the post will share again. It's been in that pot seller said for 4-5 years if not mistaken. That thick branch on the top left, I wish to cut back to where it branches off to the thinner one. But didn't want to lose that other branch.
View attachment 224141

I think I take it. Prob wait til it flowers or just before. I've never worked mine in winter. May find dieback with winter pruning that's an area I am unfamiliar with. I always wait til stuff is about ready to move, not my style but I always heed on the side of caution

 

[Soldano666]

Any idea on a pot for that guy? I like it. How tall is it? And by the sounds of it, its time for a repot. I have a coulpe to repot this spring. Going this style for a clump I have . The blue against the yellow flowers oughta be stellar.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I think I take it. Prob wait til it flowers or just before. I've never worked mine in winter. May find dieback with winter pruning that's an area I am unfamiliar with. I always wait til stuff is about ready to move, not my style but I always heed on the side of caution

Well, having a controlled cold greenhouse...I worry less about winter I guess. But do understand what your saying. This came from Florida...Niceville of all places. Some buds are swollen...prior to purchase. Hoping my room at 30F keeps it more dormant than moving about. But these negative temps and wind chill -35F...is having me use my secondary heater and it got to 37F by morning. Not concerning with the other well dormant trees. But this one...looked like it caused it to move a bit more. Like...another bloom is swelling. It's on a time clock for its acclimated seasons is what I think...and I might not to keep it from waking up.

 

[Soldano666]

Well, having a controlled cold greenhouse...I worry less about winter I guess. But do understand what your saying. This came from Florida...Niceville of all places. Some buds are swollen...prior to purchase. Hoping my room at 30F keeps it more dormant than moving about. But these negative temps and wind chill -35F...is having me use my secondary heater and it got to 37F by morning. Not concerning with the other well dormant trees. But this one...looked like it caused it to move a bit more. Like...another bloom is swelling. It's on a time clock for its acclimated seasons is what I think...and I might not to keep it from waking up.

Yeah we're getting that same wind chill up here. Definitely don't envy fighting with trees about when they want to wake up. All mine are buried under snow til april

 

[Cadillactaste]

Any idea on a pot for that guy? I like it. And by the sounds of it, its time for a repot. I have a coulpe to repot this spring. Going this style for a clump I have . The blue against the yellow flowers oughta be stellar.

Killer pot! But if it wakes to soon...not sure if I will repot or just wait until next spring. Chewing that over. Was hoping to get it to wait for March but I bought it knowing buds were moving. That's when my wisteria from Plant Ciry arrived and I was advised to keep it in the house. I bought a red pot...but it's far to large/wide. Was stalking 99 cent for your pots to see if you had any red ones. Lol seen one in a red pot that was killer. Needs to be 5" wide...and a bit on the deep side. Love your work...your pot would look awesome with that clump your planning on putting it in.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I think I take it. Prob wait til it flowers or just before. I've never worked mine in winter. May find dieback with winter pruning that's an area I am unfamiliar with. I always wait til stuff is about ready to move, not my style but I always heed on the side of caution

Forgot to mention...found mention of it here. http://www.bonsaitoolchest.com/v/vspfiles/caresheets/forsythia.pdf

 

[Soldano666]

Killer pot! But if it wakes to soon...not sure if I will repot or just wait until next spring. Chewing that over. Was hoping to get it to wait for March but I bought it knowing buds were moving. That's when my wisteria from Plant Ciry arrived and I was advised to keep it in the house. I bought a red pot...but it's far to large/wide. Was stalking 99 cent for your pots to see if you had any red ones. Lol seen one in a red pot that was killer. Needs to be 5" wide...and a bit on the deep side. Love your work...your pot would look awesome with that clump your planning on putting it in.

I would love e to make you a pot

 

[Soldano666]

Done

 

[Soldano666]

Sorry... done hijacking your thread

 

[Cadillactaste]

@Soldano666 I would love to have a pot of yours on my bench...but it needs to be at least a semi cascade for this tree I think. 3" tall at least for my comfort. It's in a 6" deep cascade pot currently.

 

[Soldano666]

I've already sold that one it was a joke. But I got your specs now...

 

[Soldano666]

Hahahaha

 

[Cadillactaste]

@Soldano666 I love this technique. I study my trees trying to decide if I have anything to work with this style.

 

[Soldano666]

@Soldano666 I love this technique. I study my trees trying to decide if I have anything to work with this style. View attachment 224699

Well I can Photoshop like a boss while I'm at work on the shop computer. So send pics if you want a mock up. I'm only here til tomorrow then I get a week off to make a metric shitton of pots

 

[Cadillactaste]

Well I can Photoshop like a boss while I'm at work on the shop computer. So send pics if you want a mock up. I'm only here til tomorrow then I get a week off to make a metric shitton of pots

I'm hobbling around. Twisted my knee on the ice while walking the dog. Should have known not to head out. It was a mess. But I got a good photo of the lake with ice on it. But not up to messing with photos right now. Later...no rush. Thanks.

 

[Soldano666]

I'm hobbling around. Twisted my knee on the ice while walking the dog. Should have known not to head out. It was a mess. But I got a good photo of the lake with ice on it. But not up to messing with photos right now. Later...no rush. Thanks.
View attachment 224701

Ice that knee and rest up