Refining the Bonsai Process - sharing with the group

Well Tutti,

I am approaching 40 years in Bonsai and have been spending time trying to refine the process.

This is as far as I got -------- please remember - Trinidad 90 -93 deg.F [ April - May ] for 30 to
10 minutes, then we go back to the low 80's for the other months ]

What slows growth for us is no water, too much water and the cool period of Christmas to February or
so [ 68 to 66 to 70 deg.F for around 10 to 12 hrs per night ]

[1] I have grow troughs that function nicely as an open ground.

Start with seed, seedling or cutting or air layer.

Plant placed for a few months in a colander. Then placed into the ground - grow.
result ---- 1 to 3 years ---- up to 3 inch trunk [ say 8 cm ]
Height or width ----- 15 to 18 inches [ 38 to 46 cm ]

I can normally get 6 main branches in there as well.
The soil is rich and fertiliser use is low to nil.

[2] Removal from the ground growing, easy, as the colander holds the essential for
survival roots.
Leave alone for a few months [ if needed ] and then transfer to a larger [ usually
plastic bonsai pot ] no need for colander here.

[3] Refinement stage, branchlets etc. No major cuts, hence why I have no large wounds
to heal.
Say 3 to 5 years.

Note ----- I have for while been drawing the design and just growing the tree / shrub
into the shape.
It does not have to be a dead on copy of the design.
Just eases up on my memory a good deal.

Some trees can trunk thicken in a large pot and the most extreme example is our local
willow leaf type ficus, which in the wild as a mature tree weeps.
This tree can trunk thicken in 1 inch of mostly 5 mm inorganic and a little aged compost,
extensions of say 3 feet / 1 m to any size you may desire.

Other local plants show variation of the above.

I am shifting over to the further discoveries of local plants. Thus far about 13 or so found
that make very good Bonsai.
Expect eventually around 35 to 40, will keep on searching our dry zones.

Done as seed, seedlings and if need the side of the road, harshly chopped down weeds.

Anyhow this is what I worked the hobby Bonsai down to.

Presently giving to the local clubs 8 oz styro cups with plants --------- excess cuttings,
must lighten up for more studies.
Laters.
Khaimraj