First 3 little guys arrived

[Siguy]

Whelp, my first 3 pre-bonsai arrived and, as expected, they are very much on the pre size. They look as though they are really cramped in their 3" plastic liners. Signs of good growth. Should I consider potting them up a size right away? Or just water them and leave them in sun for the summer(learn how to keep them alive).

Please see pics.

 

[GrimLore]

Gratz! They look healthy Slip pot them up a size and as you said read up and keep them alive! Good to see you starting.

Grimmy

 

[Siguy]

Gratz! They look healthy Slip pot them up a size and as you said read up and keep them alive! Good to see you starting.

Grimmy

Thank you. I'm a little nervous about making/getting the right soil mix, though.

I'd like to follow the following:

The formula is very simple: eight parts screened fir bark 1/4 to 3/8 inch size, eight parts screened perlite, one part peat moss, one half part vermiculite (optional). I also incorporate Osmocote time release fertilizer. Mixing in a cement mixer makes it very easy and pretty cheap.

BUT, I'm nervous about getting the ratios incorrect... I'm completely new to this and relatively new to horticulture in general. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[drew33998]

If growth is your main concern at this point I wouldn't bother putting it in bonsai soil. It really depends on how large you want to grow them. When you feel it is 3 years out from wanting to put it in its first bonsai training container, I would then start substituting potting soil for a more suitable "bonsai" soil. My .02 cents. It will grow faster in potting soil than it will in bonsai soil.

 

[Siguy]

Hmmm... Maybe, take some of the pine bark I collected yesterday, break it all up finely and mix it with potting soil.

My concern being not wanting to sog the roots out by overwatering the dense potting soil and kill these little guys, growing them bigger in potting soil with the particles of pine bark allowing the water to drain more efficiently.

What do you think?

k/r,
Siguy

 

[edprocoat]

Siguy, they will grow in just sand or pea gravel if you water and feed them properly. The "perfect" soil mix is what works for you and keeps your tree thriving. These look like 3 healthy Juni's, if they were mine and I wanted to get some good growth I would, - 1. get a decent size colander - at least 10-12 inches wide. 2. Since I work all day I would use a soil mix with some organics to keep it through summer heat without drying out, 1/3's of either pumice, lava chips, composted pine bark fines, coarse sand etc. The idea is to get a mix that , drains well while retaining enough moisture to keep the plant from drying out until you are ready to water them again. If it worries you order some Boon's Mix or some other pre-mixed stuff out there.

ed

 

[KennedyMarx]

I understand yor nervousness wth the soil considering there are so many different opinions on what is the perfect mix and what you're absolutely not supposed to use according to some. As long as it drains it should be ok. Just water when it's starting to dry out. Brent's mix seems like the easiest mix to make if you're not just using garden center potting soil. And he has proven results with it year after year.

 

[Siguy]

Siguy, they will grow in just sand or pea gravel if you water and feed them properly. The "perfect" soil mix is what works for you and keeps your tree thriving. These look like 3 healthy Juni's, if they were mine and I wanted to get some good growth I would, - 1. get a decent size colander - at least 10-12 inches wide. 2. Since I work all day I would use a soil mix with some organics to keep it through summer heat without drying out, 1/3's of either pumice, lava chips, composted pine bark fines, coarse sand etc. The idea is to get a mix that , drains well while retaining enough moisture to keep the plant from drying out until you are ready to water them again. If it worries you order some Boon's Mix or some other pre-mixed stuff out there.

ed

Not sure where the collander comes in.

I understand yor nervousness wth the soil considering there are so many different opinions on what is the perfect mix and what you're absolutely not supposed to use according to some. As long as it drains it should be ok. Just water when it's starting to dry out. Brent's mix seems like the easiest mix to make if you're not just using garden center potting soil. And he has proven results with it year after year.

Forgive me. I don't know who Brent is, but I'm sure he must be a highly esteemed bonsai enthusiast.

Can't fine Boon's mix online either.

Well, I do have "fresh" Miracle grow all purpose potting soil on hand as well. Guess I could break up the fresh pine bark that I do have into tiny pieces, mix it into the Miracle grow and repot. My object is to grow them for a while. Perlite also looks useful. Not a bad thing to have on hand anyway, I suppose.

These trees are fascinating. I had several different, extensive sessions of "appreciating" these little beauties. Makes me want indoor ones(though these will be coming indoors for the winter).

 

[bonsaiBlake]

i would warn against bringing them inside for any extended period of time, even winter. Conditions inside are not conducive for growth or health in trees. better to overwinter them in a unheated garage or provide them with a sun and windbreak and they should be just fine.

 

[Siguy]

i would warn against bringing them inside for any extended period of time, even winter. Conditions inside are not conducive for growth or health in trees. better to overwinter them in a unheated garage or provide them with a sun and windbreak and they should be just fine.

Here in NJ zone 6a, we saw periods of weeks with temps below 15F and periods of below 0. The garage isn't exactly airtight either. The garage would doom them, IMO. I'm thinking maybe window sill with only about 2-3 hours direct sunlight at most. Dunno...

 

[jkd2572]

I don't care about the trees. Look at the back ground. Looks like a cool place to live.

 

[october]

Hello Siguy.. Check your pm's

Rob

 

[Eric Group]

Here in NJ zone 6a, we saw periods of weeks with temps below 15F and periods of below 0. The garage isn't exactly airtight either. The garage would doom them, IMO. I'm thinking maybe window sill with only about 2-3 hours direct sunlight at most. Dunno...

Do not, do not, DO NOT bring them in for the winter! Protect them if you fear that the temps will get too low and kill them, but they need a winter dormancy to live and thrive. A garage or Unheated shed is ideal- it will keep the frost off them, provide some cold protection and more even temps... Protect them from the chilling winds and snow... But do NOT bring them in and put them on your window sill please!

Chinese Elms, Tropicals... Sure, bring them On inside in fact the tropicals HAVE to be brought in... Juniper, Pine, Maple... Most hardy species not only "can" survive the winter, they NEED IT! Think if it like hibernation...

Those little trees you have a re cute little Procumbens Nana Juniper. More thy cold hardy species- surprising so in fact. I would even go so far as to say they would probably be fine in the ground where you live! Do you see junipers planted in landscapes around you at all? That is probably going to be the fastest way to grow them out if you want larger trees... If you want to though, You could probably make some pretty cute little "Mame" sized trees out of those with minimal time/ effort. Might be fun to do one that way just as a learning experience!

Good luck!

 

[Paradox]

SiGuy,

I am from Long Island, NY which is just north and east of you and I had the same winter you did.
I want to repeat what was posted above...DO NOT bring these trees in side your house for the winter. That WILL without a doubt kill them.

I kept my 6 junipers out in my attached, unheated garage last winter and they are all fine and happily growing. These are outdoor trees and they are temperate trees that need dormancy each winter. They will absolutely die inside the house.

I also would not use potting soil as a component of your mix. It is too wet, wont drain fast enough and can cause root rot. You need not be nervous about soil mixtures, it really isnt rocket science. I have junipers growing in a mixture of sand, rice gravel and pine bark (not ground up just mixed in). They are all growing very well in this mixture. The main thing is you want it to drain fast and not hold a lot of water, yet retain enough moisture to let the tree get what it needs.

Ask lots of questions if you are not sure.
Good luck and enjoy these little guys

 

[Siguy]

Ok, so I will winter them in the garage. I shouldn't worry that there is almost no light. If I'm understanding correctly, this encourages the tree to be dormant, a period which it needs to be healthy.

I'm going to get a couple plastic collanders. Avoid metal, yes?

I'm noting one difference in your wintering over there in LI. Your garage is attached and probably "air tight". Mine is detached and has a couple of non-airtight boards up where once there was windows. Hmmm.... after this winter, it is concerning. Know what I mean?

 

[GrimLore]

Ok, so I will winter them in the garage. I shouldn't worry that there is almost no light. If I'm understanding correctly, this encourages the tree to be dormant, a period which it needs to be healthy.

I'm going to get a couple plastic collanders. Avoid metal, yes?

I'm noting one difference in your wintering over there in LI. Your garage is attached and probably "air tight". Mine is detached and has a couple of non-airtight boards up where once there was windows. Hmmm.... after this winter, it is concerning. Know what I mean?

Trees/Plants go dormant as the Day Light gets shorter and not because it just happens to get colder then. Many plants including yours need to go dormant. Lack of light and protection from the wind will allow that. An unheated shed, garage, or a dark enclosure will keep them happy and I don't think the small openings will hurt at all.
For the record, most everything you see on this site is not grown in any soil - it is really not needed. Your plants just need proper conditions for the species concerning light, water, and nutrients.
I would tend to say use plastic colanders as they won't heat up like metal and it will be easier to keep them watered.

Grimmy

 

[KennedyMarx]

Not sure where the collander comes in.



Forgive me. I don't know who Brent is, but I'm sure he must be a highly esteemed bonsai enthusiast.

Can't fine Boon's mix online either.

Well, I do have "fresh" Miracle grow all purpose potting soil on hand as well. Guess I could break up the fresh pine bark that I do have into tiny pieces, mix it into the Miracle grow and repot. My object is to grow them for a while. Perlite also looks useful. Not a bad thing to have on hand anyway, I suppose.

These trees are fascinating. I had several different, extensive sessions of "appreciating" these little beauties. Makes me want indoor ones(though these will be coming indoors for the winter).

Brent is the owner of EvergreenGardenworks.com. I thought I quoted his soil mix to you? His nursery plants are in half pine bark half perlite. Boon's mix is 1/3 akadama 1/3 pumice 1/3 lava rock (with a little bit of decomposed granite or river stone thrown in for every five gallons). His website is www.bonsaiboon.com.

 

[Siguy]

Got two plastic collanders. 9" wide x 4" deep. These guys are going to look itty bitty in these. BUT, more soil should provide more insulation in winter. Also, a plastic collander won't radiate cold like a metal collander might.

I plan on getting some conifer soil(1 gal. enough) like this http://www.nebonsai.com/mm5/merchan...G&Product_Code=ConiferSoil&Category_Code=SOIL . Their premium soil looks fantastic, but so much $$$. I have a bit of pine bark which I can mix in and I have miracle grow soil of which I can mix a little in. I can mix in a little Osmocot as well(as per Bren't recommends). I also have liquid feeding spray bottle(not relevant to the soil mix?).

If I were to go this route, should 1 gal. of the conifer mix be enough given the dimensions of my collander and the other ingredients?

How does my soil idea sound? How frequently will I have to change it. I'm trying to be as cost effective as possible and not have to water the things 3 times a day.