Pruning new growth on Bald Cypress

[Joe Dupre']

I've been back into bonsai for 4 years. I've done "OK" with bald cypress. I did have a problem where I figured I pushed a big cypress too much by pruning it too often and it didn't make it. It grew great branches but the root system was poor. I'd be interested to hear what kind of pruning schedule some of the Southern guys use. The latest specimen with a 7" base was collected in late Jan. of this year and has since put on 35-40 shoots as long as 20". The one I collected last May is starting to really put on some growth this year. So, when do you guys normally do a heavy pruning of BC?

 

[WNC Bonsai]

This is my first year working with BC and everything I know I learned fro Zach Smith. I recommend you go to his bonsai-south.com website, do a search for everything on BC, and read it. He has posts on there going back a number of hears with several BC progressions and tutorials.

 

[Dav4]

Recently collected trees need to grow for a full season before any pruning to recover from collection and get the new root system established. If it grows well that first season after collection, you're good to start working it the following year. In other words, the tree you collected this January shouldn't be touched until next year at the earliest, and the tree collected a year ago can be worked IF it grew well last year.

 

[Joe Dupre']

Thanks, guys. The one I collected 2 years ago is putting out long shoots with this warming weather. How long do y'all normally let the first flush of growth go before pruning it back on an established tree?

 

[Dav4]

Thanks, guys. The one I collected 2 years ago is putting out long shoots with this warming weather. How long do y'all normally let the first flush of growth go before pruning it back on an established tree?

Prune when the shoot is lignified.

 

[Joe Dupre']

10:4. I'm guilty of pruning too soon and too often. It's the sin of wanting to DO SOMETHING. Patience, Grasshopper.