AusBonsai

EDIT: Subject name changed from "Ornamental grape" to "Virginia creeper" following correct identification.

Hello everyone,
Does an Ornamental grape vine make a good bonsai subject?
My parents have one on the side of their house they wish to get rid of, so naturally I volunteered to dig it.
Do they usually survive digging? What is the best time of year to dig it?

Thanks.

Here is a picture of it as of this morning in its Autumn coat.

Not sure if it is the same thing but It looks like virginia creeper to me. Even if it is related to the grape I would say yes it would be a very good candidate for bonsai

Looks like viginia creeper to me i have one along my front fence. STUNNING also have boston ivy thats REALLY nice too.

Thanks Bretts and Matthew. Thanks for the Identification, I can now confirm (with a little research) that it is a Virginia creeper. I even found some bonsai progressions and information on the subject. Unfortunately for my parents it is starting to lift the driveway, unfortunately for me, due to its position, it will most likely be difficult to remove. If anyone has any advice I'll be glad to have it.

A nice big crow bar and also a pully type setup to help lift
See here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0G_mQEzeiA
Early spring would be the safest time but now may work as well if you have too.

Or. You could layer it come spring time

I dug it out today because it had to be out by Monday.
It took me about 1 - 1.5 hours. It had three sizable tap roots and there was a copper hot water pipe that ran through the root ball which made things a little diffecult.
I'm pretty happy with the roots though, the tennis ball is for size comparison.

Lots and lots of potential there

Cheers Bodhi, I hope so... First and foremost is to keep the thing alive.

Stunning potential in that tree mate! I have a friend here who has been growing one for a while now and it is lovely. If you have specific questions let me know and I'll ask him.

Cheers,

Andrew

I'm glad to report that it has survived. It did have me a bit worried though because it didn't show any signs of life until early October, and only after I gave it full sun and we had the first signs of hot weather. I shouldn't be surprised, after all, it was previously growing on a hot water pipe covering a north facing wall.

Few! Trees got some nice movement and a great base... Look forward to its development... And colour!

Waltron wrote:Thanks Bretts and Matthew. Thanks for the Identification, I can now confirm (with a little research) that it is a Virginia creeper. I even found some bonsai progressions and information on the subject. Unfortunately for my parents it is starting to lift the driveway, unfortunately for me, due to its position, it will most likely be difficult to remove. If anyone has any advice I'll be glad to have it.

My advice is that you take up your time cultivating or collecting far more suitable plants for Bonsai, that will actually produce the image of an ancient tree in miniture, for this is what bonsai means ... How ever it will make a beautiful ornimental

Start thinking about a semi cascade for this guy. They look more convincing with gnarly semi cascade branches. Leaf reduction is easy with yearly (sometimes twice) defoliating. We have one in our club that has tiny leaves and stunning Autumn foliage. A very doable and rewarding project if you work hard at it. Good experience and practise for wiring, defoliating and ramification.