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Sophie's Tree (2)
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Author:  steven [ 25 Jul 2014, 13:00 ]
Post subject:  Sophie's Tree (2)
After a reasonably thorough look through the pages of this site to say I am impressed would be a huge understatement.
Indeed after months of reading here I have found the information herein is deeply interesting, to the point, clear, and in most cases very straightforward, this is not to say that this art is in anyway simple, it obviously isn’t. I also understand a lot is trial and error/hit and miss, and, like all professions and or art, comes on the shoulders of giants. And there are many here who indeed praise these giants not only with your words but your actions and your dedication to this art. I have nothing but admiration for you all.

Sophie’s Tree (2)

I am still struggling with Sophie’s maple “twig” ( I have been given temporary protective custody of it whilst Sophie reads(looks at) the book we found for her over the next five + weeks).
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=12063&start=20
My hope is Sophie returns full of enthusiasm and brimming with questions.
Meantime, I have a Maple to look after. See pic below.
Do I repot it in a larger pot?
If I was to get a pond basket would it be a case of planting this tree into cat litter only or do I have to add anything to it?
Do I take off the leaves and how many?
Do I reduce the height? It is 16” (41cm) high approx.
Am I right in writing that this tree is too early to wire?
And just out of my own curiosity, why doesn't the foliage above an air layer die?

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Author:  NickB [ 25 Jul 2014, 14:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
I am sorry to say this, Steven, but I would find the nearest dustbin and place that twig straight in it.

The reasons?

1) It looks to be a sycamore, which are very difficult and not attractive trees. They have large leaves, coarse twigs and boring bark.
2) It is simply a seedling, which has no features such as taper, attractive shape, or nice bark. It doesn't have any primary branching, never mind secondary or tertiary.
3) You are looking at 10 years plus to get it into something that resembles Bonsai and Sophie will undoubtedly get bored during that time.

This advice is in no way meant to deter, in fact on the contrary. There are much better ways to get into the hobby than a Sycamore seedling which are usually pulled out as a weed.
Either purchase a cheap 'ready made' Bonsai, or try to find good garden centre/nursery material with which to play. You will find these options are much better than wasting your time and effort on something like the above.

Good luck.
Author:  splendidplumage [ 25 Jul 2014, 14:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
It is going to be difficult to make that into a bonsai. Firstly it is so young and thin, that it will take years. But also it has large leaves on very long leaf stalks so it is going to be difficult to get a good twiggy, compact tree even if you devote years to it.

However, if you both enjoy trying that's great. I just hope Sophie does not get frustrated with the amount of time involved.

To answer your questions:

To keep it simple you could just pot it on into a normal pot in normal potting compost and it will grow more and thicken the trunk up.

No don't remove any leaves.

Eventually you will want to reduce the height. But this year you probably want it to grow more to thicken the trunk.

You could wire it. However if you want to wire it. Get the trunk set in position and the wire removed before you pot it on and try to thicken the trunk (This will delay the process by a year but possibly result in a trunk with more character). If you try to wire and thicken the trunk at the same time it will scar the trunk.

That is making some assumptions about what scale and style you want.

For example if you wanted a skinny mame/shohin, you could cut it back to just above the first pair of leaves so it starts the process of producing branches lower down the trunk. With such big leaves I think aiming for a larger scale bonsai would probably be sensible.
Author:  corin [ 25 Jul 2014, 16:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
Hello Steven and Sophie

I'm glad you are trying to bonsai some seedlings

Sophie will learn lots of useful information from the pocket bonsai book which was written by my father

If you want. Some more suitable young plants for Sophie's collection, or to use in class with other children, then please PM me.
I'd be only to happy to donate a bonsai parcel of trees and pots to get you under way
Author:  Will [ 25 Jul 2014, 17:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
corin wrote:
Hello Steven and Sophie

I'm glad you are trying to bonsai some seedlings

Sophie will learn lots of useful information from the pocket bonsai book which was written by my father

If you want. Some more suitable young plants for Sophie's collection, or to use in class with other children, then please PM me.
I'd be only to happy to donate a bonsai parcel of trees and pots to get you under way


:30clap2: well done that man that's a really nice gesture :Big Thumb:
Author:  steven [ 25 Jul 2014, 17:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
corin wrote:
Sophie will learn lots of useful information from the pocket bonsai book which was written by my father

Hi Corin I didn't have much time to go over it in detail myself. But I found it fascinating.

Quote:
If you want. Some more suitable young plants for Sophie's collection, or to use in class with other children, then please PM me.
I'd be only to happy to donate a bonsai parcel of trees and pots to get you under way

That is a kind offer Corin but I would have to get all this cleared first. (red tape).
I shall get back to you with hopefully something positive in the near future.
Thank you.
Author:  steven [ 25 Jul 2014, 17:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
NickB wrote:
The reasons?

1) It looks to be a sycamore,

Off to a flying start then.

NickB wrote:
I am sorry to say this, Steven, but I would find the nearest dustbin and place that twig straight in it.


I couldn't possibly bin this tree.
Indeed I suppose I could liken Sophie's reaction to that of Her Majesty towards Cameron on having to inform Her :
‘Ma’am’‘I have just lost you Scotland without a shot being fired’.
Should it be a yes vote?


(1) Sophie would notice a replacement.
(2) I run the risk of knocking her therapy back months.
(3) I may lose her trust.
(4) She may lose faith.
(5) She may not speak for another 18 months.
(6) I am too cowardly to tell her that her tree is only a weed and not a tree after all.
What I will tell her though is that her tree is not in fact a Maple as first thought and that she will have to tell me what it is.
splendidplumage wrote:
You could wire it.

That is nice to hear. It will give Sophie a chance to practice shaping on the trunk at least.
Thank you.
Author:  john blanchard [ 25 Jul 2014, 19:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
I like Sycamore, they produce a good root flare that can be exposed for a really wonderful focal point. With good feeding, autumn foliage colour can be very good. And the many reasons people have for not having one in their collection make them a worthy challenge. However they need to be grown into quite stout, tall trees' to look like a miniature tree. Check this; viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12102
Author:  ryemack [ 25 Jul 2014, 21:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
Here's one I've had in a pot in my garden about 5 years, it was my first outdoor tree, probably never going to amount to anything but hey, god loves a tryer! I root prune mine quite a lot to reduce the vigour but I know sophie won't have the patience for this! I'm in no rush! I've been tempted to bin this many times but I can't! Its been with me since the begining of my bonsai journey, we've bonded! Haha! Mines in raw akadama so I should think cat litter on its own will be ok! Good luck to you both.
Author:  Gwen Potter [ 25 Jul 2014, 21:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Sophie's Tree (2)
Steven - LOVE the comparison between Her Maj and Her P.M. over losing Scotland. Classic :07hysterical: I think I can just imagine Sophie's face too.
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