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Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
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Author:  thom_oli [ 07 Aug 2015, 21:13 ]
Post subject:  Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Hello, I've had my Bonsai for 9 months now, I believe it is some variety of Zanthoxylum.

I am quite happy with the shape now after pruning the tree since I acquired it (see pics below) and it seems pretty healthy. Please offer advice and tips if you would do anything different with it or if you would have a preference to make more changes. I would be very interested to hear some views.

The lady at the shop I bought it from told me that it is around 6/7 years old and was imported from Japan. What I am wondering now is whether it is is need of re-potting... how would I know? Is it the right time of the year for it to be re-potted? Should I wait until next spring?

Many thanks all!
Author:  thom_oli [ 07 Aug 2015, 21:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Sorry, pictures below...

Image

Image
Author:  Sven [ 08 Aug 2015, 11:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Hi, you will get much more weighty and wise advice from more experienced members, but no harm to give you my gut reaction!

To my mind, it needs to gain girth, and those bottom branches need much stronger encouragement in order to get taper. Slip pot into a much larger pot and keep outside Read up on watering and feeding. Thin out the crown in order to allow more light to reach to the lower branches. That's just for starters... :)
Author:  Sven [ 08 Aug 2015, 11:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
P.S. Pretty tree - I'm sure you'll get much pleasure from it!
Author:  thom_oli [ 08 Aug 2015, 12:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Great advice Sven, thanks!

I had thought about moving it in a different and bigger pot anyway.

I agree that if that promotes a thickening of the trunk and branches I would be really pleased with that result. It is a great little tree.

Thanks

Tom
Author:  Sven [ 08 Aug 2015, 16:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Well, a bigger pot allows bigger growth = bigger trunk. I mean big pot - say 20 - 30 litres.

But read up about trunk thickening - you will need sacrificial growth of several feet long to make a significant difference - so you will need to go through a period of a few years' of a very untidy tree. Short term vs. long term image trade off, if you see what I mean.
Author:  Sven [ 08 Aug 2015, 16:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
P.S. In case you haven't yet, read this article - and you need to re-read it regularly, it's a big topic!

https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/trunks.htm
Author:  thom_oli [ 09 Aug 2015, 10:32 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
A very interesting read!

As a beginner and this currently being my only tree, I would much rather favour potting it up into a bigger bonsai pot (although not a massive one as you suggest). Would this still achieve the desired outcome just over a longer period of time?
Author:  Sven [ 09 Aug 2015, 17:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Advice needed - Zanthoxylum Bonsai
Hi, in fairness my first two trees are very average Chinese Elms, and I've kept them pretty much frozen in time in their original pots (bar crisis of thriving). All of my my new- found knowledge I've put into developing more basic raw material, using less precious stock.

You will learn from every step you take, whether right or wrong. A larger pot alone will do little for girth without growing some serious size sacrificial growth, but on the flip side, a larger pot will do no harm at all and it leaves your options open.

It the tree outside?
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