Bonsai Advice and Planning

Here are my two recent bonsai creations. This year I decided to bonsai a Bird’s Nest Spruce ( Picea abies ‘Nidiformis ) and a Dwarf Mugo Pine ( Pinus mugo var. pumilio ) Although they turned out good they aren’t perfect.

I listed on the pictures some of my observations; however, I want your expert opinions. I have opened these bonsai to full scrutiny and dissection. All I ask is that with every criticism you leave detailed instructions on how to correct the issue.

Here are some issues I noticed that need further inspection:

-Pot size and color

-Budding and promoting branching

-Development of thick trunk taper and surface roots

-Branch movement and placement

Remember, leave detailed instructions and please be helpful.

Pictures continued....

Take my advice with a grain of salt as I am still pretty new, but the first things that come to mind for me are:

For trunk thickness and taper I would plant it in the ground of a much larger oversized pot and allow to grow freely for a few years while keeping up a good fertilization schedule.

Surface roots can be improved by wrapping wire around the base of the trunk below where you want your roots to be improved. Plant deeply and allow if to grow in the ground or a larger pot for a few years to develop a new root system. Also, you could plant them over a piece of tile to improve the radial structure.

Leatherback linked an article he/she (sorry I am new and don't know so no disrespect intended) wrote here: www.growingbonsai.net/nebari-creation-with-young-plants/

I hope some of that helps you out in some way shape or form. By the way, they both look healthy so you are definitely doing some things right. How long have you had them? Good luck!

I've had both of the trees for a month. I found them at Lowes for about $7.00. I've done some research and found that pines are more difficult to prompt back budding on. However, I can say that my spruce is putting on several buds.

I have heard about placing wire around the base of the trunk. However I'm a little hesitant to carry that out yet. Perhaps after I've done some branch wiring on both of the trees.

Feel free to be critical about these two specimens. I need as much advice as I can get!

do not i repeat do not wrap wire around the trunks...this technique does not work on coniferous trees it will kill them.

as for styling do image searches on the speicies as bonsai .thats what i do when im stumped

I'm not planning on doing any wiring until the fall. Thanks for that tip though. Conifers are rather delicate in that respect.

I am noticing the needles on my mugo pine are browning. It seems to be sensative to the sun....hmmm

Hey guys,any tips for shaping an apex? Fukien tea about 3 years old.