AusBonsai

Hi,
I dug this Golden Duranta out of the garden a few months ago. This one has a trunk diameter of 135mm, and is 335mm tall at the moment. Im happy with its dia and height, (once I get rid of that ugly lump up top), and have a bit of an idea on what I'd like them to look like. Heres some pics. Should I leave these in the tub they're in to get some branches happening, or can I do that in a bonsai pot? (Good excuse for a new pot Saturday at market day).

There isn't much info out there on these guys, and was wondering if any of you guys have any experience with them?
I've had them in my garden for years, but never took much notice of them. They were just a hedge.

All thoughts and opinions welcome.

Oh nearly forgot, there looks to be a tree coming up with it. Any ideas what it may be? Tim

That seedling looks a swampy to me - but I would like to see it a bit later. I would take a sabre saw to that lump on the left and cut it off in line with the new leader shooting off to the right. You may need to reduce the height down the track, but I would wait and see. The only observation I make is they seem to be the first tree to wilt when they get a bit dry - I use them as a gauge as to when to water.

Tim.C wrote: Should I leave these in the tub they're in to get some branches happening, or can I do that in a bonsai pot? (Good excuse for a new pot Saturday at market day).

Hey Tim,

Leave it in the grow box. Bonsai pots are for presentation purposes, but don't let that stop you from buying one on the weekend.

Thanks guys.
Looks like not many people have bonsai'd these here. I like different.
I'm still thinking of carving back the underside of the trunk. Can I start carving it now, or should I wait for the shoots to turn into actual branches? Or doesn't it matter? Also, does it matter what time of year I carve it?

Tim

Tim.C wrote:Also, does it matter what time of year I carve it?

Tim

I try to avoid late winter / Spring when sap is flowing. Tend to gum up the works. If the section is already dead and dry then anytime will do.

Nice colour in the foliage in them

Ken

Thanks ken,

There's no dead wood on it, all green. Can u carve half the trunk away in one go, or do I need to do it bits at a time?

Tim

Tim.C wrote:Thanks ken,

There's no dead wood on it, all green. Can u carve half the trunk away in one go, or do I need to do it bits at a time?

Tim

the only thing you will need to watch is the live veins that supply any branches or roots. if you cut them while carving the they will die, but otherwise just do the lot in one go.

It's generally advised to leave a collected tree for a year or 2 before doing any work on it. Carving will but pressure on the trunk that could break any newly forming roots. I'ld be just leaving for now and look carving next year after it has settled and grown strong again.

Sorry for the late reply guys. Technical problems.

I think I'll take dansai's advice and leave it for at least another 12 months before I carve it. I may even change my mind on what I do with it by then. See how it grows.

kcpoole wrote:

Tim.C wrote:Thanks ken,

There's no dead wood on it, all green. Can u carve half the trunk away in one go, or do I need to do it bits at a time?

Tim

the only thing you will need to watch is the live veins that supply any branches or roots. if you cut them while carving the they will die, but otherwise just do the lot in one go.

I don't know anything about live veins. What are live veins?, and what do they look like? I'll google them as well to try learn everything I can about them. More reason to follow dansai's advice I believe.

Thanks
Tim