Hello again guy! Yesterday I dug up a small hawthorn growing on my property and put it in a small pot. I plan to make it into a bonsai over the next few years. (I will send pictures later) All of the branches with leaf buds are up really high and no lower branches. I intend to cut it down to size eventually, but before I do I would like to grow a lot of lower branches. What is the best way too do this? I think I made a pretty good soil mix with what I had. It contains potting soil, a local plant comparable to sphagnum moss, wood chips, leaf litter, desalinated eel grass, and charcoal. it is very light and airy, and I think it will be great.

The best way to grow lower branches is to cut the upper hard. That stimulates the backbudding required. However not now. Recently collected materials needs one or two seasons to recover before starting.

Okay, I already cut a branch off of the top because it was to top heavy to stand up in the wind. Will this be a problem? I only cut maybe 20 cm. Again, I will send some pictures later.

My Crystal ball is broken. Cannot tell you if your cut branch will be a problem. You need to wait and see.

Here are some photos. The red mulch is just on the top, regular substrate below. I had to trim the tip of the tap root to get it in the pot, but I think that is fine. It is way too tall right now, but I intend to cut it way back wen I get some lower branches. I may have been able to find a batter tree, but this was the best one i could find on my property. Do you think it has potential?

Literati style hawthorn. Why not?

So you think I should keep the growth where it is?

me, I say yes, wait a year before considering anything silk, watering and fertilizer in a me