I was wondering whether I should wait for flowering before I train the roots for nebari

[BumbleBee-Tropics]

Hello,

I have some Delonix Regias and Crepe myrtles - the ones shown here are 14 months old - and was wondering whether I should start pruning the roots for a nebari from now on or wait for the bloom of flowers. My understanding is that the bigger roots will allow the tree to bloom fast. Please correct me if I am wrong. I do some minor pruning when I change pot, but all that I remove is less than 15 to 20% of the thick roots. At present the root systems span almost 8 to 10 inches in height.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Blooms are short lived. Bonsai to me is the structure...Flowers are an occasional frosting.

Development of the tree should come first in my humble opinion.

 

[Cadillactaste]

... my crepe myrtle go dormant. Do yours not? Just curious...climate and all. Yours may not.

One I just repotted.

 

[BumbleBee-Tropics]

... my crepe myrtle go dormant. Do yours not? Just curious...climate and all. Yours may not.

One I just repotted. View attachment 587098

... my crepe myrtle go dormant. Do yours not? Just curious...climate and all. Yours may not.

One I just repotted. View attachment 587098

Wow! How old is it? Mine was dormant in the winter here - Not a proper winter as in the global north - and started fresh sprouts in February. Delonix Regia doesn't care about winter. It is so fast in its growth.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Wow! How old is it? Mine was dormant in the winter here - Not a proper winter as in the global north - and started fresh sprouts in February. Delonix Regia doesn't care about winter. It is so fast in its growth.

The reason I asked. Is most repot and do root work on dormant trees when their buds begin to move/swell. I'm not familiar with your climate or what you can get away with.

Age? Absolutely no idea. The base is 7 inches across. But no idea the age. I honestly don't put an age to any of my trees. Just years in training. This one has one year in.

 

[BumbleBee-Tropics]

The reason I asked. Is most repot and do root work on dormant trees when their buds begin to move/swell. I'm not familiar with your climate or what you can get away with.

Age? Absolutely no idea. The base is 7 inches across. But no idea the age. I honestly don't put an age to any of my trees. Just years in training. This one has one year in.

Correct. I think the root work should have been done ideally in early February when the tree started its growth. I just want to know in general so that I can start root pruning at least by next spring.

 

[Shibui]

I also believe that setting good roots is a priority but that will depend whether you want to grow a tree that flowers or whether you want a good bonsai. Any tree will only flower for a few weeks each year. A good bonsai is every day of the year for many years. Foregoing flowers for a few years to produce a great bonsai will pay off in the long term. Making flowers a priority could leave you with a poor bonsai for the rest of it's natural life.

I've found that seedlings cope with root reduction way better than older trees. I can reduce seedling roots by 90% without harming the plant so early root pruning is not only more effective in making good nebari, it's also easier on the tree.

Most tropical species and even a few non tropicals can be root pruned all through the year in warmer climates. I repot and root prune tropicals here right through Summer, even though the weather can be hot and dry. Repotting is also successful with these species while they are actively growing. I'm even beginning to suspect that active growing is better time to repot tropicals and warm temperate species.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I also believe that setting good roots is a priority but that will depend whether you want to grow a tree that flowers or whether you want a good bonsai. Any tree will only flower for a few weeks each year. A good bonsai is every day of the year for many years. Foregoing flowers for a few years to produce a great bonsai will pay off in the long term. Making flowers a priority could leave you with a poor bonsai for the rest of it's natural life.

I've found that seedlings cope with root reduction way better than older trees. I can reduce seedling roots by 90% without harming the plant so early root pruning is not only more effective in making good nebari, it's also easier on the tree.

Most tropical species and even a few non tropicals can be root pruned all through the year in warmer climates. I repot and root prune tropicals here right through Summer, even though the weather can be hot and dry. Repotting is also successful with these species while they are actively growing. I'm even beginning to suspect that active growing is better time to repot tropicals and warm temperate species.

I am of the same belief. I don't permit flowers when building structure. End of the day...bonsai is structure. To me anyways.