Alternative Methods

[Attmos]

To fully close up a large scar you simply have to do wound care every year until it closes up. When you do the initial chop make sure that the wood that the callus is supposed to grow over is shaved smooth. Then clean up the live edges with a sharp knife and apply cut paste. When it appears that healing has stopped remove the cutpaste, reopen the edges of the scar with a sharp knife, and apply new cutpaste. After a few years of consistent care the scar will heal over. Not all species are good at scarring over on big chops but many of the common species for bonsai are easy to get to heal up.

When I have a worthwhile tree to use, I'll keep that in mind,... but I'm sure I'll be back here for more advice. lol
Hearing that the scar will heal over from so many people helps.

Thank You.

Bonsai can be grown without grow and chop but it does take time.
here's one I prepared earlier.
View attachment 554740
That trident has always lived in a pot. Never been chopped, just light pruning so no scars.
Yes, it is slower. Yes you will need to develop some patience but you should end up with a superior bonsai.
Aim for smaller sized trees for quicker results.
Choose quicker developing species - ficus, trident maple, etc and stay away from the notorious slow growers - ginkgo, junipers

That's awesome! Exactly what I envision. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

 

[Attmos]

Lol, I TRY to not answer every question with one of my videos, but this is just right I feel:

Oh cool! Thanks. I'll watch any you feel would be helpful for a beginner.

 

[Attmos]

.b

 

[Attmos]

Bonsai can be grown without grow and chop but it does take time.
here's one I prepared earlier.
View attachment 554740
That trident has always lived in a pot. Never been chopped, just light pruning so no scars.
Yes, it is slower. Yes you will need to develop some patience but you should end up with a superior bonsai.
Aim for smaller sized trees for quicker results.
Choose quicker developing species - ficus, trident maple, etc and stay away from the notorious slow growers - ginkgo, junipers

If I may ask, how old is that tree?

 

[Shibui]

If I may ask, how old is that tree?

I do not keep very good records. Many are started but not many make the grade and last the distance so it can be hard to pin down ages on individual trees.
That one is at least 30 years old and possibly up to 40 now but it has been a good (IMHO) bonsai for at least 15-20 years.

 

[leatherback]

Oh cool! Thanks. I'll watch any you feel would be helpful for a beginner.

hm.. I would say.. start with the playlist for beginners, which really should give you loads of new things to contemplate

Bonsai Beginners Basics

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

 

[amcoffeegirl]

With thinner trees you can make forest plantings or root over rock plantings to accomplish a refined project in less years.
Literati style also does not require a thick trunk- should still impart a feeling of age and struggle.
See examples in the link:

Bunjin Part I—What IS This Weird Thing?

Bunjin get a bad rap or a badass rap. There’s also those who will pass it by on the bench without comment. I figure the no comment is the most interesting reaction. I thought it would be fun to exp…

crataegus.com

Also you could try fast growing species like portulicaria.

 

[Paradox]

Exactly! I live on Long Island, and I think our highest elevation is a building . I wish we had mountains.

Sayville landfill, at least in Suffolk

 

[Cajunrider]

Exactly! I live on Long Island, and I think our highest elevation is a building . I wish we had mountains.

I live in Louisiana. Anything 10 ft above mean sea level is a mountain.

 

[gooeytek]

I live in Louisiana. Anything 10 ft above mean sea level is a mountain.

Maybe no mountain yamadori, but you do have an incredible amount of BCs to choose from

 

[leatherback]

I live on Long Island, and I think our highest elevation is a building

I live in Louisiana. Anything 10 ft above mean sea level is a mountain.

you mean, you have soil ABOVE sea level?

Most of the Netherlands be like..


Note Gouda, where I grew up is next to the lowest point in NL, -7M, so 21 ft below sea level.

 

[Attmos]

hm.. I would say.. start with the playlist for beginners, which really should give you loads of new things to contemplate

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLci6b9GxmP3Uv8rY0S0CgBBcnuvsBThzc[/U

http://

hm.. I would say.. start with the playlist for beginners, which really should give you loads of new things to contemplate

Bonsai Beginners Basics

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

Thanks again.