Hinoki Cypress “Sekka”

[Opal]

Hi all, I just got my first Hinoki cypress from a bonsai nursery. I’m stuck on where to start. All of my limbs are growing straight up. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[IzzyG]

Hello! Most young trees will have upward growing branches so that’s normal! And for the right design, that is a plus(if you decide on using them as multi upright trunks). An example would be Abdah Rahman’s example(although technically his is a raft start)



There’s definitely those that perform initial styling post spring hardening (right about now) but the preferred time is in early spring/late winter prior to spring push or the fall after vascular growth has taken place. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start visualizing how your design might look like! Personally I’d start with a primary structure design. Identify your tree’s primary line from base to tip. Feel free to use the entire 3 dimensional plane to view different possible angles!

 

[Opal]

Thank you for your reply! So basically I just need to let it grow right now and visualize what I want and then prune it in late winter right before spring?

 

[Nivel]

You can check Mr Asao Koide`s channel, you can find a lot of information about Sekka Hinokki. He introduces a wiring technique using a wire grill as a support.
In his last video he shows his collection.

 

[Shogun610]

Nah I wouldn’t style for a finished tree at all right now nor style like a raft… it really has a main trunk and a main side branch. Let it grow , do selective pruning and wiring down branches you want pads to form in future … at some point where you want buds to form in future. I’d repot into a larger grow container and then plan from there. You have a main trunk and a main left side branch ..

 

[Opal]

You can check Mr Asao Koide`s channel, you can find a lot of information about Sekka Hinokki. He introduces a wiring technique using a wire grill as a support.
In his last video he shows his collection.

Thank you I will!

 

[Opal]

Nah I wouldn’t style for a finished tree at all right now nor style like a raft… it really has a main trunk and a main side branch. Let it grow , do selective pruning and wiring down branches you want pads to form in future … at some point where you want buds to form in future. I’d repot into a larger grow container and then plan from there. You have a main trunk and a main left side branch ..

Thank you for your help! Is it a good thing that I have a main left side branch? Most of my branches are very long. Do I need to cut some length off of them? I bought it from Brussels bonsai and it is 4 years old. I just want to make sure I have all the information I can get, because I don’t want to mess it up.

 

[Opal]

Hello! Most young trees will have upward growing branches so that’s normal! And for the right design, that is a plus(if you decide on using them as multi upright trunks). An example would be Abdah Rahman’s example(although technically his is a raft start)

View attachment 497711

There’s definitely those that perform initial styling post spring hardening (right about now) but the preferred time is in early spring/late winter prior to spring push or the fall after vascular growth has taken place. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start visualizing how your design might look like! Personally I’d start with a primary structure design. Identify your tree’s primary line from base to tip. Feel free to use the entire 3 dimensional plane to view different possible angles!

Thank you for your reply! So basically I just need to let it grow right now and visualize what I want and then prune it in late winter right before spring?

 

[pandacular]

My approach as a beginner working on similarly young material has been to focus on identifying flaws, things that definitely won't work, from the dual perspectives of design and horticultural. Give the time of year, I'd try to identify flaws that are both, and cut those if you'd like. Taking out bits really helps you see the tree.

Once you've sat with the plant for a few months, you'll start to see more and more, and when the season is right, you can remove growth that is only singularly flawed, in either design or horticulture.

 

[Opal]

My approach as a beginner working on similarly young material has been to focus on identifying flaws, things that definitely won't work, from the dual perspectives of design and horticultural. Give the time of year, I'd try to identify flaws that are both, and cut those if you'd like. Taking out bits really helps you see the tree.

Once you've sat with the plant for a few months, you'll start to see more and more, and when the season is right, you can remove growth that is only singularly flawed, in either design or horticulture.

Thank you! I will definitely do that. I’m just a little worried that a lot of the lower branches are as tall or taller than the trunk. I’ve read in some places that if you cut the branch to make it shorter that the branch won’t grow new foliage. So I’m a little nervous since this is my first Sekka Hinoki.

 

[snowman04]

Hello! Most young trees will have upward growing branches so that’s normal! And for the right design, that is a plus(if you decide on using them as multi upright trunks). An example would be Abdah Rahman’s example(although technically his is a raft start)

View attachment 497711

There’s definitely those that perform initial styling post spring hardening (right about now) but the preferred time is in early spring/late winter prior to spring push or the fall after vascular growth has taken place. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t start visualizing how your design might look like! Personally I’d start with a primary structure design. Identify your tree’s primary line from base to tip. Feel free to use the entire 3 dimensional plane to view different possible angles!

Great vision here...