It is not yet a bonsai tree. It is in the ground in the front yard, something I purchased last year for frootunnel. It is an Anna apple. Very nice for having been planted bare root in spring, plump vigorous stems and healthiest of the 3 large ones.
Here is the problem - I keep 'finding' things that are so out of bounds that I wonder why I don't listen to my gut instead of reading voraciously and doing what the research tells me. All sources said no pruning first year, because the roots have already been pruned and the top as well. I wanted as much growth as possible so I left all branches. I was looking at it more carefully a couple of days ago for where to prune when it is time (I don't know, because it still has all leaves on it. We just got a big chill week so I figured the leaves will fall soon.)
The bottom two branches need to come off but the stems are so big now one is the leader, even though it originates only 4" from ground, so hmmm.... maybe I leave that the leader, try to straighten it out, cut the original stem off. I contemplated air layering for an own root tree, or taking cuttings, but that was YESTERDaY! I kept leaving it thinking I would come up with a better plan.
Finally, after several times of stomping away, I ended up thinking about it before sleep, telling myself Okay, this is the plan, do this first thing tomorrow. Then guess what happened TODAY.
Tonight I read up on rootstocks again, wondering what marvelous type it must be, and thought K tomorrow that is the best plan, get some of the rootstock started, Yeah, that's what I need for that rose with the weak collar and droopy blooms. That could be my opus bonsai.
This is not the first time bonsai thoughts have prevented me from doing something in the landscape, just ... I really don't like it this time. Apples are new to me and I first and foremost want to see an apple blossom. If I cut anything off, there's less chance of a blossom. Or a Chickasaw plum blossom, which I also planted. I think sometimes I just don't know what I really want.
It's now 3 am and I am still awake thinking about it now. I thought making a post would help me clear it up but, it looks like just good fun for the next time someone else is indecisive.
Here is the problem - I keep 'finding' things that are so out of bounds that I wonder why I don't listen to my gut instead of reading voraciously and doing what the research tells me. All sources said no pruning first year, because the roots have already been pruned and the top as well. I wanted as much growth as possible so I left all branches. I was looking at it more carefully a couple of days ago for where to prune when it is time (I don't know, because it still has all leaves on it. We just got a big chill week so I figured the leaves will fall soon.)
The bottom two branches need to come off but the stems are so big now one is the leader, even though it originates only 4" from ground, so hmmm.... maybe I leave that the leader, try to straighten it out, cut the original stem off. I contemplated air layering for an own root tree, or taking cuttings, but that was YESTERDaY! I kept leaving it thinking I would come up with a better plan.
Finally, after several times of stomping away, I ended up thinking about it before sleep, telling myself Okay, this is the plan, do this first thing tomorrow. Then guess what happened TODAY.
Tonight I read up on rootstocks again, wondering what marvelous type it must be, and thought K tomorrow that is the best plan, get some of the rootstock started, Yeah, that's what I need for that rose with the weak collar and droopy blooms. That could be my opus bonsai.
This is not the first time bonsai thoughts have prevented me from doing something in the landscape, just ... I really don't like it this time. Apples are new to me and I first and foremost want to see an apple blossom. If I cut anything off, there's less chance of a blossom. Or a Chickasaw plum blossom, which I also planted. I think sometimes I just don't know what I really want.
It's now 3 am and I am still awake thinking about it now. I thought making a post would help me clear it up but, it looks like just good fun for the next time someone else is indecisive.
