Mame contest idea

[Rjoyce]

Okay, so I have a little but of a dilemma with my crab apples. They were air-layers taken last year and their roots are still in the sphagnum ball. They are starting so show signs of waking up (buds are swelling, and another larger branch taken from the same tree is already showing green) but I am supposed to get about a foot of snow tomorrow night. I am antsy to get these re-potted so they can begin development this year. Could I repot now, and put them in my cool basement near an east-facing window, where they would receive mostly ambient light until they leaf out, then do the bonsai two-step until mid-April? Or should i leave them where they are, on the ground, and let them get re-covered with snow for a few more weeks?

 

[defra]

I have over 20 crabapple seedlings in little pots troughout the garden left them to fend for themself no protection or whatsoever some were already opening the buds then we had a cold week with freezing tempd -8° at night and --4°C at day now back to 13°C past two days they look like nothing happend snow insulates so IMO i wouldnt worry but it is understandable if you want to play it safe

 

[Rjoyce]

Couldn't help myself, had to get my hands dirty. Plus I will have a decent amount of work coming in the spring, so I wanted to get a jump start. Repotted my two crabs, my third tree (chinese elm) is currently under about 14 inches of fresh snow.
Last night's work station:

Tree #1 roots. Not quite even all around, but not too bad for a first spring after air layer:

Current back of tree #1:

Current front of tree #1:

 

[Rjoyce]

Crab apple tree #2

The roots are a bit one-sided:



Proposed back:

Proposed front:

 

[Cadillactaste]

@defra ... thanks again. Love this tiny mame of mine. ?. Embracing its ugly alien form waking...and seeing buds. Love its new shoes too. Waiting for leaves to share here...since last contest photo will be of a dormant state.

 

[Underdog]

2 of my 3 are alive and kicking. Waiting to see if the Creepy Virginia wakes up.

 

[Cadillactaste]

2 of my 3 are alive and kicking. Waiting to see if the Creepy Virginia wakes up.

You can not kill those...it will be fine!

 

[Carol 83]

Mine are still alive too, definitely need some work, when it warms up.

 

[Yosemite Goat]

Mine were under snow last week, and with 4 inches of rain expected the next few days they moved to the green house to avoid over saturation.

 

[defra]

REMINDER:
Part two:
prepare it and get it in the mame sized pot.
1 year and 3 months
(20-08-2017 -- 20-11-2018)

There will be a opened update thread for the end of contest part two on 20-11-2018 to show the mames in their pots.

I want to point out the following as a reminder:
the final date to get them in the pots is 20-11-2018 but then for mosth of us its winter by then so i reckon every contestents to decide now to do the repot this spring or consider a fall repot.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Mine is repotted...just waiting for foliage...since last photo of contest will be a dormant state...I want green foliage with this first shot. Can't wait to share it!!!

 

[Underdog]

Please remind me of require pot size/depth and height of tree from the soil?
Thanks

 

[Cadillactaste]

Please remind me of require pot size/depth and height of tree from the soil?
Thanks

All details in thread link...but tree size and pot size pasted below.
https://bonsainut.com/threads/mame-contest-entrys.27735/
Tree size:
Mame size is 3" to 6"
measured from the rim pot to top of the tree

Pot size:
Maximum of 4.5 inches in length across the front viewing side.

 

[Underdog]

I just came back to edit my post as I found it. Thanks anyway!
Is there any requirements as to depth of pot? And a training pot okay for this stage or must it be the final pot?

 

[Cadillactaste]

I just came back to edit my post as I found it. Thanks anyway!
Is there any requirements as to depth of pot? And a training pot okay for this stage or must it be the final pot?

My take...must be in mame pot. Now one could use the large end of that pot size and make it smaller later. But mame pot for sure.

Defra stated...prepare it and get it in the mame sized pot.
1 year and 3 months
(20-08-2017 -- 20-11-2018)

 

[Underdog]

Gotcha. One is in a plastic training pot of the proper size now but, surly don't want it for the final image. The other 2 are in too large of pots now and wondering what to move them to this summer. Final or just anything of proper size.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Gotcha. One is in a plastic training pot of the proper size now but, surly don't want it for the final image. The other 2 are in too large of pots now and wondering what to move them to this summer. Final or just anything of proper size.

No clue...mine is in its final pot. If that helps. Presentation is key...on what one sees to vote on photo.

 

[Cadillactaste]

But actual rules...just state pot size. A mame training pot...is still a mame size pot.

 

[BunjaeKorea]

Dang.....seems I am too late to enter.....already had trees going from last year........what a pity....

 

[Cadillactaste]

Dang.....seems I am too late to enter.....already had trees going from last year........what a pity....

Sorry...if you didn't enter them...but honestly just developing material into something more...anyone who does that is a winner. I love my material...and after a much needed haircut of long limp vines...I am pleased with its alien looking self. So...I already am a winner in my book...no matter outcome of contest.