AusBonsai

Hi

I've had this Cedar for over 10 yrs. It was neglected for more than half of this time while in a smaller pot.
About two yrs ago, I repotted it into this current larger pot and left untouched for 2 yrs. During this time, it put
a lot of growth and the main trunk more than doubled in girth. The soil composed mainly of scoria, diatomite and
premium composted soil. The plant was about 10 times its current size but I noticed the main growth started to
weaken the two smaller lower branches in late summer this year. I decided to take off most of the main grown leaving
the current branches you can see in the pictures. At the time I took off the growth, the plant dropped every needle.
That was scary. But it pushed out new growth to my relief. I think it was the wrong time to prune but the decision
to leave the root untouched as well as providing some shade was the right decision. Almost every green bit you see now
are new growth since the pruning in summer.

I would like to re-pot it into a bonsai pot this year and would like your opinion and advice on when it would be
the best time. Also, do you know what type of cedar it is?
I would also like to hear your pruning advice to improve ramification and create some structured paddings..

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Dennis

It looks like it could be C. deodara ''Feelin' Blue'' But not sure.
I have been told that Autumn was the best time for repotting Cedars (to avoid needle drop) but don't quote me on that. I'd be interested to see what others say about this.
I dug out a few from the ground 2 springs ago and they dropped most of their needles but came back. It would be nice to avoid this if possible.

It's Cedrus Deodara, but I would leave it in the same pot,for 2yrs, to grow more branches,to create a suitable style.If you put it into a bonsai pot now,you will slow the growth too much,and it will take forever,to get decent size branches.You can remove some of the needles ,where you don't want any branches,and leave the needles where you want to grow branches.Now is the time to root prune it, as that will also stimulate faster growth.Unfortunately, you have wasted a few years by doing nothing,so now is the time to start gaining some new found momentum. Grow the new branches for a whole year, before you decide,to remove the ones you need to keep.By keeping all of the branches on,will help to thicken the trunk and all the branches.[I would do this for about 2-3 years before I did anything else.]If you live in a cold frosty area,then, root prune just prior to the new buds bursting.Good luck.

Thanks Mountainman. I agree with you. I will re-pot later this year and let it grow a few more years in hope that it will close up some of those unsightly cut marks.
The widest part of the trunk is about 3cm thick and this has taken over 10 yrs to create in a pot. These Cedar don't grow very fast.