Bonsai From Seed

Hello IBC,
I've recently found this website and was wondering if anyone could help with my trees. I live in a 5b zone and want to begin bonsai from seed. Knowing this takes more time i'm looking forward to the experience. I have begun a ficus religiosa and also have two wisteria from seed, they are about one year old. The most important question I have is when should I begin styling? Being new to the hobby of bonsai I look forward to any suggestions.

jamie

Jamie,

WELCOME!!!

Time to styling depends on what size tree & style you envision your finished bonsai will be.
What size trunk are you aiming for?
Are these seedlings in pots? What size?
Can you plant them in ground if needed?

The answer to your question depends on these (and other factors) and could be next year or 50 years from now.

My suggestion, acquire a decent sized plant to play with now if you can. It can be a nursery plant or something you can dig up from a yard. Plants local to you (and proven for bonsai) will make your life much easier as well.

Good luck!

Hi Poink88
Thanks for the reply. The Bodhi tree (ficus religiosa) could possible still be a seedling, although I have recently repotted. After this mild winter I'm still surprised it has vigor here in maine. The wisteria, I am hoping one will be a stout shohin and the other I'm willing to allow time to decide.

I'm not sure how to insert an image??

jamie

James301 wrote:
I'm not sure how to insert an image??

Check here https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/f4-testing-posting-images-tutorials

Thanks again.
I am hoping this tree grows rather tall before I do anything to it but an not sure if that is what to do.

The wisteria are still wintering and haven't sprouted leaves yet but do have buds developing. The one on the right has a unique trunk I'm hoping to work into a shohin.


Any suggestions will help.

jamie

Jamie,

Leaf size is a big consideration when choosing a plant for bonsai...especially for a shohin or mame. I am not an expert but I doubt this tree will make a good shohin just looking at the picture. You might want to consider something else.

If its possible for you, pop those Wisteria in the ground you'll enjoy how much faster they will thicken, allow them unlimited growth, over the next few years you'll be able to take some hardwood cuttings off them as well for even MORE wisteria.

The ficus should just go into ever increasing pots until you have a good trunk caliper, alas you'll have to suffer through several years of growth before the ficus has a good thick trunk. Thats the price of our "northerly exposure"
-Jay

Thanks again Poink88, I have my fingers crossed hoping the leaf size doesn't become a problem.

Jay, I agree, being in the north is a bit difficult for growing.

Thanks for the advise I'm glad I was able to share my beginnings.

jamie