Great day for an interesting mail call:)

[abqjoe]

So today I received a pretty interesting tree in the mail from Don Blackmond, a crazy looking Hackberry. This tree needs a couple of years of branch work but all in all it's got a great foundation to build on and LOADS of character Don also through in the little Boxwood off to the side there as well as a nice little starter Triton for me to practice the earlier stages of Bonsai on. Thanks again Don!

 

[abqjoe]

 

[Adair M]

It might be cheaper to to him an offer for his whole operation!

Lol!!!

 

[Paradox]

Yea @Don Blackmond save some for the rest of us...lol

 

[Redwood Ryan]

So...this is your 12th last tree for the year, right?

 

[abqjoe]

This really really is my last one for the year

 

[JoeR]

This really really is my last one for the year

Dont believe it! Lol

 

[aml1014]

This really really is my last one for the year

Dont believe it! Lol

Me either lmfao

Aaron

 

[quietobserver]

So...this is your 12th last tree for the year, right?

Consumers drive the economy.......

Go bonsai biz..

 

[abqjoe]

I feel like I should be in rehab or something for Bonsai addiction lol

 

[Jarath]

I get in trouble with my wife every week. I am so addicted it ain't funny.

 

[Adair M]

I feel like I should be in rehab or something for Bonsai addiction lol

I can relate.

Years ago, when I first really got into bonsai, I wanted one of every species, every style. I had well over 200 in bonsai pots.

Unfortunately, what I found was I became overwhelmed with all the little things that need to be done. Some trees, like Japanese Beech, need to be pinched at EXACTLY the right day, or else they'll get leggy. Keeping up with everything was hard for me to do.

I'm not a good multitasker!

So, I've decided to 1) limit the number of trees, and 2) limit the species.

So, I primarily keep pines. For me they're pretty easy. Sure, each one takes a while to wire, but the wire can stay on a couple years.

 

[aml1014]

I can relate.

Years ago, when I first really got into bonsai, I wanted one of every species, every style. I had well over 200 in bonsai pots.

Unfortunately, what I found was I became overwhelmed with all the little things that need to be done. Some trees, like Japanese Beech, need to be pinched at EXACTLY the right day, or else they'll get leggy. Keeping up with everything was hard for me to do.

I'm not a good multitasker!

So, I've decided to 1) limit the number of trees, and 2) limit the species.

So, I primarily keep pines. For me they're pretty easy. Sure, each one takes a while to wire, but the wire can stay on a couple years.

With the recent raise at my work, I've been so busy lately I've been slipping towards this very thing. I'm really starting to enjoy pines also as it happens, but I still like them all lol.

Aaron

 

[Adair M]

With the recent raise at my work, I've been so busy lately I've been slipping towards this very thing. I'm really starting to enjoy pines also as it happens, but I still like them all lol.

Aaron

Pines, are actually pretty low maintence. They need work two, maybe 3 times a year. Otherwise it's just fertilize and water.

Now, those times when you work them, they're a lot of work!

Wiring is the most time consuming. Of course, that all depends on how many branches the tree has. The more refined, the more little branches. It's more difficult to get your fingers inside the foliage without breaking needles! The good thing about wiring is usually a good wire job can last two or three years. At least it can on a refined tree. Younger, still rapidly growing trees will experience more branch thickening than an older more mature tree. Therefore, wire cuts in faster on younger trees and needs to be removed and replaced more often.

Needle pulling can also be time consuming and tedious. Again, the more highly refined, the more work it is. (It's also more important to keep it up so that the tree stays in good condition!)

In the summer, decandling is the primary task that requires time. Again, the more ramified, the longer it takes.

Pines usually only need to be repotted every 3 to 5 years.