Bonsai

[Bill HH]

Here are a couple of pics of my bonsai trees ( I have about 8). The first is an Azalia my wife bought as a house plant and when she chucked it out because it had almost expired I trimmed the top and roots and planted it in a Bonsai pot. Its a tender plant so I over wintered it in the GH, but look what it has been and gone and done!! flowers galore.

The next was a seedling from the sycamore tree that towers over my little garden, its about 8 years old now, I grew it over a small rock to encourage the roots to surround it. It stands about 9 inches tall and when its in leaf looks quite spectacular. It stays out in the winter with no ill effects.

[mrswadders]

they're brilliant bill,we get sycamore seedlings all over the place, perhaps I should give it a go, any tips?

[Bill HH]

they're brilliant bill,we get sycamore seedlings all over the place, perhaps I should give it a go, any tips?

As long as you realise its a long term job, I grow the seedling and pot them on for 2 to 4 years until they have some thickness in the stems then start to prune them down to size, it you want bent or deformed trunks start shaping them right from the start using wire. then i begin to prune the roots until they are small enough for a bonsai pot. Lots of info on the net, I have several oak trees grown from acorns on the way, they are 2 feet high at the moment soon to be chopped down to size. Just do it and dont worry too much

[mrswadders]

thanks, i'll pot a couple up laterand see how I get on, I do like a challenge!

[rhonsal]

They look fab - i was thinking of trying this with some hardy fuschias with the smaller flowers.

[Bill HH]

They look fab - i was thinking of trying this with some hardy fuschias with the smaller flowers.

I think a hardy fuschia would be ideal, if you remove the lower shoots to create a trunk and then try to train the branches in a tree like structure. i have also seen camelias that have been trained.

[rhonsal]

Cheers Bill - I may be in touch for some help once I get some cuttings established!

[bretty666]

Iv got a giant bonsai in my feild! Its about 30foot oak one!!

[Bill HH]

Iv got a giant bonsai in my feild! Its about 30foot oak one!!

Let me know when you intend to prune the roots I shall come and watch.

[Kristen]

I think Wisteria Bonsai look fabulous (particularly when in flower). Maybe Laburnum would too?

[bretty666]

Has anyone ever done weeping willow bonsai?

[Bill HH]

Has anyone ever done weeping willow bonsai?

Here u go

[Bill HH]

Update of my bonsai trees now they are in leaf.