Hey guys, I just picked up this green japanese maple. I feel like they have some good potential. Unsure if I should transplant to grow box/training pot, or what my next/first steps should be. Still not sure what steps to take for turning a nursery maple into bonsai
by SeerOfTheLastShadow
3 Comments
First step is always finding the nebari. Can’t make any plans without seeing what that looks like.
Your instinct is correct and so is the other commenter, prepare a grow box, find the nebari (frequently nursery stock trees are planted to deep in the container, don’t be afraid to poke around with your going and a chopstick.) find your line and planting angle, remove useless branches (either for design or sacrificial), spread the roots and then put some Osmocote under the roots, then hurry up and wait. Looks like it is breaking dormancy, best time to do this work
Piling on as someone with a deciduous tree in a similar situation (an ornamental plum) – is it too late to repot if the tree is pushing buds and leaves, like the tree in OP’s image?