Fall/Winter pre bonsai volunteer collection/care

[Peter/Chang’s/Nebari/]

I love my brother and am very happy he does not keep an immaculate home exterior.

When helping him with the aforementioned I found so many volunteers (saplings ripe for the picking) I couldn’t help myself. There are a few oaks but mainly Maple.

Had them in a container with just water the past week or slightly longer and threw them in this big ole pot I had outside last night.

I have 5 or so I plucked about that many months ago that are doing great. But being this close to winter I hope I didn’t just cast all of these a death sentence.

Tips, hints, information and comments please.

 

[Peter/Chang’s/Nebari/]

Any advice? What I’ve done is correct I reckon.

I live around STL Missouri which is hardiness zone 7. Pretty sure it was 6 a few years ago.

All of the trees seem to be doing as well as one would imagine. The larger ones appearing to be taking it harder than the little guys. Also, maples seem to transition better than oaks from The looks of the foliage but idk if that is a direct correlation.

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

The best time for transplanting a seedling is late fall or early spring. When you do that pot it up or place it in the ground and leave it to recover and develop coming growing season.
Do you mean you kept those in just water in the pot, without soil?
Why are they all together and not planted individually?
I can’t really make up what your question is.

Maple leaves seem fine but the oak look dried out.

 

[Peter/Chang’s/Nebari/]

The best time for transplanting a seedling is late fall or early spring. When you do that pot it up or place it in the ground and leave it to recover and develop coming growing season.
Do you mean you kept those in just water in the pot, without soil?
Why are they all together and not planted individually?
I can’t really make up what your question is.

Maple leaves seem fine but the oak look dried out.

I’m sorry for the confusion. I kept them in a contain with only water for roughly a week. This was the time from when I harvested them to when I could put them into soil.

I do plan on putting them in individual pots next spring. I put them in this single big pot as it was available and already had dirt in it so it was the path of least resistance. I also believed that maybe the roots/saplings themselves would fair better during the winter in a more substantial amount of soil perhaps.

I will happily put them in singular containers ASAP if it will benefit them over eating til next spring. (I’ve got a 7 week old so finding time to get my hands dirty has become slightly more challenging lately).

 

[NeedlesAndLeaves]

I’ve got a 7 week old so finding time to get my hands dirty has become slightly more challenging lately

Congrats
I know all about that!

Potting them up separately will save you some time later so you don’t have to untangle them. It’s best not to disturb the roots to much is most important.
Winter protection can be done for example by placing them in a sheltered unheated place or covering the base with mulch.

Leaving roots for a long time under water can be harmful btw.