Was Given Autumn Olive Clippings

[OftenConfused]

Hello!

Complete beginner here and I was given some Autumn Olive clippings and wanted to try working with these since they happened to come to me. They've just started to sprout and grow some very small roots, does anyone have any advice on when best to transfer them to a pot and if I should use a different soil first and later switch it akadama when the plant is more established? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! I know this plant is invasive so tips on keeping it outside eventually without risking the native species are also appreciated!

 

[Shibui]

My initial thought was autumn cuttings of olive but this is Eleagnus. Big difference and much confusion from common names.
Timing and techniques can often differ according to climate and location. To get useful answers you should add a location to your personal profile.

In general,
It doesn't really matter whether you use bonsai potting soil from the start (provided you can manage watering and other care properly) or start with a conventional potting soil and change later when moving the trees to bonsai pots.
Akadama may or may not be suitable soil for your region or for how you care for your plants. Some growers, including myself, have found it difficult to manage trees in akadama.
You'll probably need to grow your trees on in nursery pots for a number of years before they are thick enough or interesting enough to be worth moving to a bonsai pot. Good bonsai can take many years to develop.

I know this plant is invasive so tips on keeping it outside eventually without risking the native species are also appreciated!

Most trees are only invasive because of seeds in the berries. Keeping the trees covered as berries ripen and/or removing berries before the wildlife is interested will prevent any spread.