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| Oak Bonsai? http://www.apistos.com/weetrees/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2455 |
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| Author: | LeeH90 [ 19 Feb 2011, 14:15 ] |
| Post subject: | Oak Bonsai? |
Hello, Ive recent acquired a small english oak that was grown from acorn around 6 years ago. I think it has a lot of potential, it has a decent trunk and plenty of branches. I was just hoping that someone would be able to advise me with the next steps I have to take to create a good tree. I know it needs a lot of work on ramification and I'll need to create a nebari as from what I can see, there isnt one. So can someone advise what I should be doing? Should I trim the branches right back? Will it need planting out into a bigger container? Any help and advice is appreciated. Thankyou |
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| Author: | LeeH90 [ 19 Feb 2011, 19:32 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
Its been in this pot for around a year. I think I will re-pot it, whens the best time for this? I knew the top branches had to go so when its settled in thatll be the first thing to go. Should I remove all of the heavy branches that are near the top completely? |
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| Author: | LeeH90 [ 19 Feb 2011, 20:00 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
When should I start to cut back if im not re-potting? |
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| Author: | Mike Jones [ 19 Feb 2011, 20:57 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
Hi Lee I agree with Don on that upper branch. My HONEST opinion is pop it in the garden and maintain shape by on-going pruning. Maybe several years. However, I expect you would prefer to get on and do something. Now is actually ideal for pruning, the Oak is certainly not on the move right now so you are quite safe. You could say if it has only been in that pot for a 12 month and feeding was not copious it can happily stay there for a further year without any difficulty. Greatly depends what type of pot you have in mind for the repot when you do it. As to when to repot ... my guess given current weather conditions and indeed the longer range forecasting accuracy it should show signs of action, green budding in 3-5 weeks time. Wait till they swell and before leaves unfold and form. This is the optimum time. I'll post a picture when I find it of my large Oak where I cut every single brunch off, some completely some just to stubs; this was just a few years ago and ramification is coming on very well indeed. |
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| Author: | LeeH90 [ 19 Feb 2011, 21:15 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
I was considering growing it out in the garden, I don't mind giving it some time as I plan to increase my collection this spring so Ill have plenty to do. Id like to see that if you can find it Mike. Thankyou |
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| Author: | Mike Jones [ 19 Feb 2011, 21:31 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
LeeH90 wrote: I was considering growing it out in the garden, I don't mind giving it some time as I plan to increase my collection this spring so Ill have plenty to do. Id like to see that if you can find it Mike. Thankyou I'll do it Monday Lee. |
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| Author: | lewis_milnes [ 20 Feb 2011, 12:09 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
LeeH90 wrote: I was considering growing it out in the garden, I don't mind giving it some time as I plan to increase my collection this spring so Ill have plenty to do. Id like to see that if you can find it Mike. Thankyou If you are happy to plant it out in the garden I'd do this this Lee, it can only benefit from this treatment! 
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| Author: | Mike Jones [ 21 Feb 2011, 14:14 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
Lee Just quickly then; The Oak can be seen in the following order: 1. The year after collection 1993 and started chopping away, you can see I have started one side. 2. Got fed up some years later so a slight prune 3. Close up some 2-3 weeks after initial prune 4. 10-12 weeks after first hard prune, growth can be seen really getting a move on. 5. Three years later Plans now for this tree are to reduce it in height by 75% (it is just too heavy) I may air layer said 75%, not sure yet, reduce rootball by same percentage to fit in a much smaller container and carve light mad over a couple of years. Final picture is what I may do this year You can see what growers these beasts are by the contrasting pictures.      
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| Author: | LeeH90 [ 21 Feb 2011, 16:23 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
Thanks for that Mike, I think what I will do is plant it out in the garden this year, and maybe next year Ill give it a big cut back and leave it for a few years in the ground pruning to shape. Am I being too conservative? Will the tree withstand hard pruning and planting out in the same year?? |
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| Author: | Mike Jones [ 21 Feb 2011, 16:34 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Oak Bonsai? |
Absolutely, I would personally have a gap between though. I cut back then potted up the following year but honestly there is very little that is at all fickle with an Oak. |
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