Let's see those dwarf Alberta spruce jams

[BonsaiNaga13]

Got one from home depot for $9
took it from this to this

I do plan on jinning the top but I'm waiting to see how the tree does in spring. Not sure how to handle the report

 

[Drewski]

Here’s my contribution. Bought it at Home Depot earlier this fall for about $12. Don’t have a before pic, but here’s what it became. I didn’t actually do a real repotting. It had been potted too deep, so by the time I had gotten all the branches unburied a lot of the soil had been removed. I didn’t want to put it back in the can, but it fit into that pot fairly nicely. I’ll leave it there and wait to see how it does in the spring, and then go from there.

 

[Gustavo Martins]

Had one and it did ok the first year but then it slowly died on me. I suppose my climate is way off for this species. Not trying anymore.

 

[Forsoothe!]

That's Dwarf Alberta Spruce, as in Alberta Clipper.

 

[Tycoss]

It is too bad that Dwarf Alberta Spruce is of then the only Picea Glauca available in many places. The standard white spruce is far superior for bonsai purposes.

 

[Drewski]

Well, so far he wants to live.....

 

[Forsoothe!]

It is too bad that Dwarf Alberta Spruce is of then the only Picea Glauca available in many places. The standard white spruce is far superior for bonsai purposes.

I don't know about the species being better than the dwarf, but the dwarf is available in small sizes and that's hard to beat. The caliper-to-height ratio is a killer, especially as a starter. I'm not sure I could ID the species if I saw one in the landscape, but the needle size/tightness of bundle is also unbeatable. I'm working on #3 in 20 years, the first two being failures, and this one is working so I'm pretty pleased with myself.

 

[Underdog]

One i've started on for the Lil Christmas tree Ctest. Starting second season.

 

[Eckhoffw]

One i've started on for the Lil Christmas tree Ctest. Starting second season.

Still looking very alive. Way to go!

 

[Tycoss]

I don't know about the species being better than the dwarf, but the dwarf is available in small sizes and that's hard to beat. The caliper-to-height ratio is a killer, especially as a starter. I'm not sure I could ID the species if I saw one in the landscape, but the needle size/tightness of bundle is also unbeatable. I'm working on #3 in 20 years, the first two being failures, and this one is working so I'm pretty pleased with myself.

You bring up some good points in support of DAS. The reason I prefer the original white spruce (besides availability of yamadori in my area) is the fact that they backbud more readily, don't have a tendency for branches to shoot straight up, they can handle more extensive work on the foliage in one shot, and older looking bark develops sooner than the cultivar.

The downsides of the original p. glauca is that the foliage is more course, and they are less often available in nurseries.

 

[BonsaiNaga13]

Bare rooted this guy at bud break and potted in LAP after a minor root reduction. There wasn't a real tap root and the nebari definitely wont be a focal point of this tree but its alive and well. $9 well spent

 

[Forsoothe!]

Starting to get close...

 

[Bonsaidoorguy]

I was at the grocery store and I couldn't help myself. Got it home and got a little carried away with myself, I had to pot It up. I was gentle and I think it's going to be ok.

 

[BuckeyeOne]

A mother/daughter I styled this fall.

 

[RJG2]

Here's mine, I hope it survives. Started as a Christmas tree (and we used it as one), but has been in the ground for 4 or 5 years. No much on interior foliage, but we'll see what happens next year once it settles. Was thinking about a slant style due to the curve, but I'm not sure the roots will allow it. I'll start a thread if I make it to styling...

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Really straightened itself out looking back at this. Slowly selected branches since that last post, and did some initial structural wiring this fall.

 

[Ugo]

Hi everyone!

Better post mine here!
I dont want to hijack this thread but I would like to ask a question about management growth at the same time.

This is my alberta spruce I picked-up last year.

As you can see 2 top branches are thicker the ones on the bottom.

I was wondering if management growth technique can be used to make sure theses 2 branches dont grow thicker.
I could reduce foliage to a minimum on theses 2 branchesto a minimum but Im not sure of when I should do it.
Is there a risk of removing the foliage before bud break during spring or I have no choice and let the branches grow a bit thicker and only reduce in August?

I dont plan on prunning other part of the tree next year but let it grow freely to gain more foliar mass on all other branches but Im planning a slip pot repot: the current pot is broken and I want to try a slightly bigger container to encourage trunk to thicken more.
Do you see a problem if I reduce the foliage on theses 2 branches and slip pot the same year?

The tree gained alot of vigor this year and seems in good health compared to what it was when I first got it!

I post a recent picture took in October and another picture during August so you can see better the thick branches on top.

Thank you once again for your help.
Ugo

 

[jerzyjerzy]

I would shorten it, shorten the leftover thick branch, and change the apex.

Something like below:

 

[Ugo]

Hi!

I got the general idea of the reduction.
Shorthen the bigger branches will denenately manage the growth.
As we can clearly see the size of theses branches are out of proportions but working on this spruce is a challenge for me so its a good thing.
It made a long way, as it was not in good health when I first got it.
Im sure with time, patience and experience it could look like a bonsai.
With more experience I start to see more and more desing.
This tree could even end up in a nice cascade style using the right lower branch.
Bonsai is an endless possibility hobby, and I sometimes enjoy knowing people idea.

Thanks for yours

 

[Mike Corazzi]

This thread made me go kiss my JBPs and buy furs and a condo for my olives.

 

[Tropfrog]

My DAS purshesed in spring 2019 got a new style recently: