ongoing progress

Many of the trees are progressing well - the oaks are all making great progress. Last years seedlings are also making giant leaps.

My larger oak is putting on weight very nicely. This year already more than last. Its the second year in the pots and the roots are well developed - its getting loads of fertiliser.

The primary branch structure is developing nicely now as well. Interesting design decisions on where to place the new buds need to be made. The node length needs to match the leaf size for a balanced image.

As per oaks habit, the tap root is doing laps at the bottom of the pot. Going to have to research root pruning of oaks a bit to be ready for its next pot.


I'm a bit worried about the big scots pine. Its too yellow and its got these funky wrinkly needles.

These pines had 80% of their old soil removed and are in sterile growth medium. My maples live happily in pure akadama - but some of the pines are a little grumpy. I'm still some ways short of the fertiliser concentrations some others advise using - and Ive noticed that the patch of lawn that receives the leftover fertiliser isn't any greener than the rest of the lawn. So i guess more wont harm it - perhaps. It may also be a nutrient problem due to the sterile soil and rainwater so Ive used some iron/mag/manganese tonic to hopefully fill in any nutrient holes. I have a maple that's showing classic iron shortage ( green veins on yellow leaves ) so maybe this will get them greened up and vigorous. Otherwise the big one is back budding very nicely after a good spring flush.

This can also be a copper shortage or over watering.

The beeches are putting on weight now on the branches and setting buds - quite a lot based on the way the wire is biting in. These may grow a little again this year but more than likely its next years buds getting into place. So its important to feed like crazy and water generously to ensure next years growth is massive. Ive rewired where needed and removed the rest. I'm thinking of chopping some of the beeches as the trunks are already nice enough for small bonsai.

The hawthorns are unstoppable. Well other than the wind which blows them over all the time. They are also putting on wood and massive growth. They seem like such a perfect tree for bonsai - i wonder why they aren't more popular. small leaves - rapid growth - easy to maintain - attractive. i guess the wild specimens aren't much to look at down south. Although i did see many good ones out of the train heading up to Newcastle - the sheep nibbling did them good.