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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41544

  • mrrobertc
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Hi
So Ive known about the art of bonsai for about a year now. Ever since then I have been totally fascinated by them. I then found out my partners father had a few. So I was able to see in person and talk about them.
He then give me the tree in the photos to keep and said he brought it some time ago from a garden centre and didn’t know what it was, but I should only prune it around November.

Fast forward a month and I’ve read two beginners books “RHS the little book of bonsai” and “bonsai basics by Colin Lewis” and done a starter kit from seeds. Of which 3 are successful and two are currently in the fridge (not holding much hope).

So anyway I’m wondering if anybody can tell me the name of the tree? And also I’m thinking my germinated seeds are ready for reporting?

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41545

  • m5eaygeoff
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If you have a couple of books you should be able to find out what species of tree you have, you will also see that the tree needs pruning now. There are links on here for identifying specie have a look. The seedlings may be ready for potting on, only you can tell that.
Why are your seedlings in a fridge? Are you trying to kill them? Get them outside.
The tree looks like a Zelcova, it need pruning hard but only you can decide what needs to be done.

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41547

  • Auk
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If your question is what bonsai you have, then I would say: none.

You do have seedlings and a young tree. The seedlings look like pines (but could be something else too. What was on the package that contained the seeds?).
The tree.. not sure. Does it flower? What do the flowers look like?

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41548

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I haven’t managed to find it in the books I have. But I will carry on looking online.
The seedlings aren’t in the fridge, but two pots of seeds are. The instructions said to do it for cold stratification. I think one of them is a red maple.
Do you think outside in the same pots or repot?

Yea I agree it definitely needs pruning but is it the wrong time of year to do so?

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41549

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Sorry the subject says what bonsai but I did say in my first post, tree.
The seedlings are labelled so I know what they should be. The instructions don’t go any further on how to look after them once germinated. So I’m not sure if they need reporting or not.
The tree I was given I haven’t seen flower yet so I don’t know.

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41550

  • m5eaygeoff
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Yes of course you can prune now. Check the books you have,

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41551

  • Clicio
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Hi, looks like a Zelkova.
The seedlings could go outside.
You are right, maple seeds need stratification. Good luck!

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41553

  • Auk
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The instructions said to do it for cold stratification.


That is to simulate winter. Unless when it is winter where you are now (which, looking at the pictures, it apparently is not), you're doing it in the wrong season. Your seedlings will not get the time to develop and harden off in time for the next winter. Of course, pines belong outside.

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41555

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Hi, looks like a Zelkova.
The seedlings could go outside.
You are right, maple seeds need stratification. Good luck!


Thank you

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1st post, What bonsai? 5 years 9 months ago #41556

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The instructions said to do it for cold stratification.


That is to simulate winter. Unless when it is winter where you are now (which, looking at the pictures, it apparently is not), you're doing it in the wrong season. Your seedlings will not get the time to develop and harden off in time for the next winter. Of course, pines belong outside.


It is summer where I am now (uk) so when should cold stratrification be done?

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