Giving a Redbud a Go - Reckless Newbie

[Hump]

So you all have seen me, I'm the new guy asking all kind of dumb questions. Like every newbie, I go full force thinking I need to do everything right now. Working on it, I know. Anyways, yes redbud.....

Loved the idea of Ace of Hearts, but they were to costly on the interweb. So I was at our local greenhouse and found a really small Eastern redbud that had smaller leaves. (hopefully mislabeled and maybe an Ace? ) Anyways, I've searched on here a ton lately and remembered running across a couple posts of people giving it a try. I know they presumably aren't the best bonsai because of living years etc, but they are beautiful. So if you guys want to help with some guidance, I'll be sure to keep updates. Waiting on some more substrate, but trying to read up on when is the best time to cut the taproot.

Any advice is welcome. I tried commenting on an older post of someone who tried it, but haven't gotten a response.

 

[Johnnyd]

Hold off on messing with the roots until spring. Do your repot then. If you go to the forum section search other deciduous. May find something there. Good luck!

 

[Hump]

Hold off on messing with the roots until spring. Do your repot then. If you go to the forum section search other deciduous. May find something there. Good luck!

Thanks! I'll check there for sure. Doing it now was a worry, I'll just leave it in the pot it came in until spring now. Do you think I should also wait until spring to chop the top to where I want it?

 

[Johnnyd]

Thanks! I'll check there for sure. Doing it now was a worry, I'll just leave it in the pot it came in until spring now. Do you think I should also wait until spring to chop the top to where I want it?

Just my opinion but I think the trunk is too thin right now. If you start by acquiring trees that have a trunk or even better , a trunk with taper you may be able to do more bonsai and less growing nursery stock. The hobby becomes more enjoyable the more you learn about it. Enjoy!

 

[CWTurner]

These trees grow fast and bark up fast too. Not sure the leaves reduce too much, so as @Johnnyd says, best let it grow fatter.

Put it in the ground and in 3-4 years you'll have something.

Just buy something else and you will forget about this a lot easier. I know my latest purhased/collected tree is always the one I thank about most.

And update it here once a year.
CW

 

[just.wing.it]

Lots of leaves for a small one.
I want to grow one out too...

 

[Hump]

This may be a dumb question, but one if those things I still haven't figured out the science behind yet.

I know you "cut back" or cut the trunk and limbs at the height you want your tree to be (or in stages). The way I'm thinking, I assumed you started this at the beginning so the tree can put its energy into back budding, creating new branches to thicken up, concrete energy into growing roots, and most importantly a thick trunk. Or does the trunk thicken by leaving it be and letting it grow tall now to then cut it back down the road?