Weeping Willow

Hey everyone,

My name is Ryan and I am 17 years old and have been doing bonsai for close to 3 years now. I have been recently working with Weeping Willow as bonsai. I was sent this cutting from an online friend of mine a few weeks ago. It threw roots after 2 days of being in water, then was potted up a few days later:


Here it is a week after it was planted (btw the trunk is a little over an inch thick):



Then, a few days ago my neighbor had their old Weeping Willow tree fall down, and I helped my brother to cut it up and haul it away. Only, I kept some of the logs from this thing. I managed to get 5 cuttings of different sizes. The 2 larger ones are a couple of inches thick, and the smaller ones are about an inch thick. Also, this seems to be a different Willo species than the one I posted here earlier. The leaves look very different, and so does the bark. Here you go:







Anyone have experience with Willows?

Ryan

Willows are OK to practice on. They do not live very long. Actually the best willow for bonsai is a cultivar called 'Rokkakudo,' but it is hard to find.
For one thing, willow bonsai must be repotted annually. They are susceptible to dieback. Hone your bonsai skills on willow, then go on to better species.
Iris

Thanks Iris!

I read that the bigger they are the shorter lived they are. So, maybe if this one is kept small from the start it won't die early. Remember that these are not even week old cuttings from 30+ year old trees. Would you recommend me wiring this fresh growth from the cutting before it hardens? Wire it so that it "weeps"?

Thanks Ms. Iris,

I have three and didn't know what to do. Will be watching your Black Pine request as well.
Khaimraj

Ryan wrote:
I read that the bigger they are the shorter lived they are. So, maybe if this one is kept small from the start it won't die early.

Not necessarily. Willows are weak, fast growing trees. It is in their nature.

Ryan wrote:
Would you recommend me wiring this fresh growth from the cutting before it hardens? Wire it so that it "weeps"?

This is not the season to work on outdoor trees. You are disrupting their natural cycle. I recommend that you put these cuttings somewhere just above freezing and let them alone until next spring.
If you want to work on bonsai right now, get an easy indoor tree, like a Ficus. Even better, spend the winter reading bonsai books and exploring bonsai on the Internet.
Iris

Hi! All!

Iris is good!.....oops sorry! but from a good hart!

My findings on willow...give them water they explode in growth uncontrolled.
To play with this they die....soon after....

I am so in for an acacia same to them! in real life a stunning specie to look at....but a fast growing one!

Ah ya,....wishes...grtzz machiel

Thanks everyone!

I didn't think they actually had a cycle since they don't have leaves. I have plenty of trees, especially ficus, so I've got plenty to keep me entertained over the winter.