Was wondering if starting a deciduous forest or clump ish planting in a wood box is something anyone does? I’d like to start one with a group of 2-3 year old trees I have but don’t have a bonsai pot or the money to buy one. I CAN make a perfect size shallow box though.(obviously not oval hah). It’s just not something you really see. Any quick thoughts on this? Thanks!
radhatter
Sapling
A box is a great place to start one. Maybe do yourself a favor and build the planting area to be somewhat similar in shape to your goal pot or slab.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Larger containers are great for starting any bonsai, including a group planting. The extra size will allow the trees to grow and develop a bit more than a typical bonsai pot.
I start many groups in seedling trays which are plastic trays around 30cm x 35 cm x 5cm deep. We can often get them free at nurseries which sell seedlings in smaller punnets. Here's a couple of examples of trident groups in those plastic nursery trays.
I have also used larger, deeper boxes in the past, especially where I wanted the trunks to thicken more.
There's no problem with using a deeper container as roots can be reduced when you decide the group is ready for a real pot. Deeper grow boxes will allow your group to thicken and develop much quicker than a smaller container.
Wider containers can be a trap for the unwary as trees on the outside of your group - which should be shorter and thinner - will have more root run and can quickly overtake the larger trunks which are closer to the centre of the group. In any case, make sure you trim the outer trees harder than the larger internal trees to maintain that balance of size while they grow on.
I start many groups in seedling trays which are plastic trays around 30cm x 35 cm x 5cm deep. We can often get them free at nurseries which sell seedlings in smaller punnets. Here's a couple of examples of trident groups in those plastic nursery trays.
I have also used larger, deeper boxes in the past, especially where I wanted the trunks to thicken more.
There's no problem with using a deeper container as roots can be reduced when you decide the group is ready for a real pot. Deeper grow boxes will allow your group to thicken and develop much quicker than a smaller container.
Wider containers can be a trap for the unwary as trees on the outside of your group - which should be shorter and thinner - will have more root run and can quickly overtake the larger trunks which are closer to the centre of the group. In any case, make sure you trim the outer trees harder than the larger internal trees to maintain that balance of size while they grow on.
If they are only 2-3 year old seedlings, I would want to continue to work these trees in individual training pots. This allows you to more easily develop better trees for your eventual forest. Letting some get bigger in larger containers and keeping some smaller. Planting in small groups and clusters of 2-4 trees of varied size will allow you to develop trunks that are placed very close together, ultimately giving your group planting a more natural feel. Putting them all together in a large training container severely reduces your ability to control the growth of individual trees. Although it is a common practice to assemble immature trees into group plantings, I see ZERO benefit to it when it comes to creating the best forest you can.
Similar threads
