Hello,

I've came across tips on growing local tree species as bonsai.
Basically, by doing so I'd be guaranteeing the plant the ideal climate conditions.

So, I've chosen: the Willow tree.
www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/willow

After some research, here's how to propagate a Willow:
- strip a main branch of leaves and secondary branches
- place it in water until it gets roots
It can be done with large branches too.

Here's my progress so far:


So, the thick branch seems to grow roots just fine (it has 55cm length btw).
I think that I'm fast forwarding with it towards bonsai techniques.

I'll definitely wait for thick roots before planting, but... any tips on soil and pot for a willow bonsai?

Nice 'sticks'!

You can take cuttings as big as you want.
Might as well just fell a tree to use it as a cutting.

Don't know where you live, where i live every corner you look there is a willow. If that is your case too, try to find a cutting of 10cm diameter or more

Rorror wrote:

Nice 'sticks'!

You can take cuttings as big as you want.
Might as well just fell a tree to use it as a cutting.

Don't know where you live, where i live every corner you look there is a willow. If that is your case too, try to find a cutting of 10cm diameter or more

I am quite happy with the bigger branch so far, but thanks for the tip!
Do you have a willow bonsai?

Had one, but not anymore.

It grows to much every year for the space i have to grow my tree's. (more then 1meter in lenght to each side)
And getting die back on branches, after pruning or wireing.

So i go for some species that grow less strong and are easyer to handle.

I'm sorry to hear that you weren't able to keep it due to space.
Could you share some photos of it?

What soil and pot did you use given that it requires lots of water?

Willows root very easy.
Bonsai wise: they grow like mad, but sometimes let’s a branch die off for no reason.
Soil: a free draining soil will do.
I have mine standing in a tray with water, in summer it can drink up to two of these trays completely dry ( 5 liters)
I would place your cuttings outside.

That's nice to know!
I might get some willow cuttings soon...

lucR wrote:

Willows root very easy.
Bonsai wise: they grow like mad, but sometimes let’s a branch die off for no reason.
Soil: a free draining soil will do.
I have mine standing in a tray with water, in summer it can drink up to two of these trays completely dry ( 5 liters)
I would place your cuttings outside.

Can you elaborate on that please?
What do you mean by a "free draining soil"? A soil that retains all the water?
Was the water tray tall or was it a large pot, if the tray was filled with 2.5 litres of water?

Hey,

I have had great success over the last 4 years with my new soil mix. 1/3rd crushed leca balls and 2/3rd chopped coconut fibres. It keeps some of the water for the hot summer days but also give you great aeration, and I have never had finer feeder roots. I recommend planting in larger training pots so you can leave the tree in the pot with lots of air for two years. With this mix I also use a pellet fertiliser.

Keep in mind! That my climate here in the south west of Norway is probably quite different from what you have, so if you want some more drainage add more leca, and maybe some akadama. Either way you will have to experiment to find the best blend for your trees and environment.

So good luck!!

A free draining soil mix, is a mix of often 3 types of soil that gives the plant lots of air, and lets the water drain away. The trick is to find the balance between how much water it holds, how much air it gives and how much nutrients it holds over time.