'Tom Thumb' cotoneaster

[catfish chapstick]

Does anyone have any experience with this variety of cotoneaster? It's called Tom Thumb and it is a super dwarf with leaves that are very very small. The reason I ask is I am about to buy one and I don't think I have ever seen or heard of it before. Is it like any other cotoneaster?

I will post a picture when I get it, probably Monday.

Do you think it's too late to cut it back?

Should I bring it inside for the winter?

Thanks

 

[jk_lewis]

It should be a great subject.

It is very similar to Cotoneaster dammeri, which I use. It should be hardy to zone 4, but in a bonsai pot may need some winter protection -- but NOT inside. A cold garage likely would be fine.

You should be able to work on the top now, but I'd leave all root work until spring.

This is dammeri. Yours is a bit more hardy, but otherwise very similar.

 

[catfish chapstick]

It should be a great subject.

It is very similar to Cotoneaster dammeri, which I use. It should be hardy to zone 4, but in a bonsai pot may need some winter protection -- but NOT inside. A cold garage likely would be fine.

You should be able to work on the top now, but I'd leave all root work until spring.

This is dammeri. Yours is a bit more hardy, but otherwise very similar.

thanks, yeah I saw yours on here and it inspired me. I am excited for this one. Its a reasonable price (35) so it has become my birthday gift to myself. Might even get two of them. I'll put up a picture tomorrow and hopefully get some design ideas.

 

[Si Nguyen]

Here's my little one. It's 5 inch tall. Just took the picture a minute ago. They are very easy to work with.
Good luck with yours.
Si

 

[catfish chapstick]

Here it is finally, old herringbone. The plant is a mess of branches with plenty of dead ones in there. Looks like a pretty decent base. I'm going to trim out the dead branches first. Then what I'd like to do is cut it back pretty hard. How much is too much? I know it's been in its current pot at least two years.

 

[jk_lewis]

Yes. 99% of that should go away. Leave one trunk and 2 or 3 branches. Be sure you leave some (quite a bit of) green on each branch.

 

[october]

Looks like a decent trunk in there. Although trimming a lot back is important. It is more important to have a plan before starting this. Either make a drawing or have a clear vision of which style you want this tree to be in. If a vision is not predetermined, it's like chipping away at a stone trying to create a sculpture without knowing what you are sculpting.

Rob

 

[Beng]

Looks like a fun project. What color do these flower?

 

[catfish chapstick]

Ok, this is what I've got so far. As you can see I've already cut a lot off but I don't want to harm the plant or I'd maybe cut back even more. I hope I didn't cut too much already.

I don't have a precise plan or sketch but I'm wanting to keep it a bit naturalistic.

I am prepared to cut off more if you guys think that's a better route.

 

[amkhalid]

I had one but it was nothing great. I tossed it when I learned that it doesn't flower which is kind of weird for a cotoneaster. But I bought it specifically as a flowering accent.

 

[catfish chapstick]

Starting to come back a little.

 

[GrimLore]

Starting to come back a little.

Looks like you are on the way to success! I like that little guy!

 

[october]

Looking really good. Are you going to eventually cut off the thick parts of the bottom left and right branches?

Rob

 

[catfish chapstick]

Looks like you are on the way to success! I like that little guy!

Hopefully! I'm glad you like it

 

[catfish chapstick]

Looking really good. Are you going to eventually cut off the thick parts of the bottom left and right branches?

Rob

Thanks, I thought about it but I can't decide. I probably will the right one but I'm not certain. I have been watching those new bonsai academy videos on sandev that feature trees with really wild branching. I know those are collected but kind of made me want to leave those branches, at least for now.

 

[catfish chapstick]

I wasn't sure if the foliage would hide the branch or not

 

[KennedyMarx]

Got an update on this one, Catfish?