Autumn olive?

[JudyB]

I have had 2 of these as bonsai. One was a raft from a tree branch that had fallen over, as they root easily. As said they are a very invasive plant, and grow like weeds around here. I had decent luck getting branch growth in a pot, but it never fattened up much. In the ground they gain thickness easily. I had a small cascade also. They are nice when they flower. I'll be digging a bigger twin trunk up in the spring.
http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/russian-olive-twin-trunk-raft.7236/
http://www.bonsainut.com/threads/russian-olive-cascade.7184/

 

[jomawa]

@jomawa There is nothing wrong with long term projects as long as you recognize them as such.

I'm laughing more at myself because I'm still in shock/realization that even ten years is but a moment in so many bonsai (or really maybe pre bonsai). Like so many others who want to do bonsai, there is a total cognitive lack of the time it takes not only for the tree, but for each and every step, and certain steps must come before others. (dang, I don't like that!) I have some large vine maples located to dig or air layer from this spring to replace or jump start past my beginner attempts and am seriously considering dumping my early starts, yet I realize I could learn by keeping them. (still laughing, but I just hate that dang long term time factor)(dang, this bonsai thing is just nutty!)

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Like so many others who want to do bonsai, there is a total cognitive lack of the time it takes not only for the tree, but for each and every step, and certain steps must come before others.

Just realizing these two facts will help you set expectations, help you choose better material, and advance you much faster than those who insist there's a cheat to everything that requires time. Bravo.

 

[HoneyHornet]

Got this today along some train tracks I passed and they had that feel about them that made th back of my neck tingle so I parked and took a look and somehow the place I entered at and the turn I took down a deer trail abruptly placed me in front of this No brainer.. trunk is like 90% deadwood but has a strong live vein and what looks like a pocket of new roots trying to grow on that side, they are all white like alfalfa sprouts so I think they are roots and not attempting sucker growth? That was all under leaf compost so I’m still leaning toward root which would be nice because what I ended up with after combing it out was much less roots than I thought.. maybe they were all connected to something I cut during extraction but either way I think it’ll do just fine

Oh I didn’t have anything ready to plant in since it was spontaneous, and I felt rushed because I had been up over 30 hours and with this night shift schedule and having to get baby from daycare around 230 o was moving fast as I could otherwise I would of screwed together a nice little box.. I’m off next two days so I’m going to do just that.. this sack is basically ready to drop into something and with a little chop sticking it will be good to go

All branches already alternating all forks are just 2 branches… the leaves are super mature and are strong like vinyl.. I was very pleased with that decision to take a look… I’ll be back to browse more believe that