How to prune my bonsai and make it grow smaller leaves?
I want to know how to make 3 big leaves grow into a bunch of smaller leaves. Currently, it only has 3 large leaves that are probably 2 inches long. I also want to know how far I should prune it back. I realized that the leaves are starting to tilt up again like they used to, which I guess means that it is recovering from stress. I don't want to stress it too much.
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#happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #plantcorner #plantlove #iloveplants #newgrowth #planttlc #greggang #adhdplantlovers #bonsai
1ft to light, indirect
2” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
9
Best Answer
She’s not quite ready to start yet but she’s getting there.
The most important part is patience and staying on top of pruning.
You will need to wait until she has at least 4- 6 leaves then cut the top 2 off. That cut branch will form 2 new branches. Do the same with the 2 new branches to create 4 branches. Then you’ll have 8 etc.
Each time you prune your leaves get smaller. If you ignore it and forget to prune the newer leaves will get bigger. So the most important thing is to stay on top of it.
-Always leave 2 leaves per branch
-Always cut off 2-4 per
branch
If you cut off only 1 leaf it usually will not branch out, so remember everything should be done in pairs.
To get a bigger trunk let it grow into the size you want before you start to prune, it helps to get a bigger trunk.
-If you’re start pruning too early the trunk stays small.
The bigger trunk is what provides strength to your tree. Bonsai trees can last 100s of years and good roots and a strong trunk will help it last, so try not to rush it. I know that’s hard, but again the art of bonsai teaches us patience and that good things come to those who wait.
The oldest living bonsai to date lives in Italy and is over 1000 years old old, it is a ficus tree.
My oldest bonsai I have is around 30 years old. It too is a ficus. But I have over a dozen more and they are all my babies. Enjoy the process and have fun but remember patience is key. 🌳
The most important part is patience and staying on top of pruning.
You will need to wait until she has at least 4- 6 leaves then cut the top 2 off. That cut branch will form 2 new branches. Do the same with the 2 new branches to create 4 branches. Then you’ll have 8 etc.
Each time you prune your leaves get smaller. If you ignore it and forget to prune the newer leaves will get bigger. So the most important thing is to stay on top of it.
-Always leave 2 leaves per branch
-Always cut off 2-4 per
branch
If you cut off only 1 leaf it usually will not branch out, so remember everything should be done in pairs.
To get a bigger trunk let it grow into the size you want before you start to prune, it helps to get a bigger trunk.
-If you’re start pruning too early the trunk stays small.
The bigger trunk is what provides strength to your tree. Bonsai trees can last 100s of years and good roots and a strong trunk will help it last, so try not to rush it. I know that’s hard, but again the art of bonsai teaches us patience and that good things come to those who wait.
The oldest living bonsai to date lives in Italy and is over 1000 years old old, it is a ficus tree.
My oldest bonsai I have is around 30 years old. It too is a ficus. But I have over a dozen more and they are all my babies. Enjoy the process and have fun but remember patience is key. 🌳
@FamedGymealily This is true. But, but first and foremost it is important to focus on a healthy strong root system and bigger trunk.
Since bonsai is a long term tree it must have a strong foundation to stand on. If foilage is focused on as a priority in the first few years, the tree will never have the strength built up to sustain it.
Therefore, the optimal thing to do is allow it to grow unrestricted until the tree trunk or Nebari is well established. After this the roots can be trimmed and foilage pruned to create bonsai. A bonsai should never be rushed for proper growth and health.
Honestly, I would keep increasing the pot size as needed for healthy root growth. After the foundation is strong you can move on to the smaller pot and pruning.
Since bonsai is a long term tree it must have a strong foundation to stand on. If foilage is focused on as a priority in the first few years, the tree will never have the strength built up to sustain it.
Therefore, the optimal thing to do is allow it to grow unrestricted until the tree trunk or Nebari is well established. After this the roots can be trimmed and foilage pruned to create bonsai. A bonsai should never be rushed for proper growth and health.
Honestly, I would keep increasing the pot size as needed for healthy root growth. After the foundation is strong you can move on to the smaller pot and pruning.
@SuperbRaspfern Thank you for sharing your advice. If the goal is to keep it as a small or miniature bonsai, I’ve been taught to let it grow unrestricted in its current pot until it is nearly root-bound. Then, I trim the roots, refresh the soil, and place it back into the same pot. This approach has worked well for me based on what I’ve learned from my bonsai instructor.
Yes, I do exactly the same thing but only when the trunk is at a size that is suitable. When you do your approach do you ever notice an increase in size of your trunk? And if so is it significant?
I’m only asking because I am quite curious and always up for learning more. I know you are based in Japan and live near the true masters. I have over 12 bonsai trees but I am also aware that there is a much more I could learn to better my bonsai trees.
I have bought already aged trees and made bonsai trees out of them. I have also been gifted trees in the past.
I also have some Chinese elms that I started from seed a couple of year ago. So, since they are saplings, I am always open to suggestions and modifying my approach and experimenting especially since I have 5 of them to work with.
I’m only asking because I am quite curious and always up for learning more. I know you are based in Japan and live near the true masters. I have over 12 bonsai trees but I am also aware that there is a much more I could learn to better my bonsai trees.
I have bought already aged trees and made bonsai trees out of them. I have also been gifted trees in the past.
I also have some Chinese elms that I started from seed a couple of year ago. So, since they are saplings, I am always open to suggestions and modifying my approach and experimenting especially since I have 5 of them to work with.
@SuperbRaspfern This approach works well with trees that back-bud easily. You can let them grow and then cut them back significantly. This coming spring, I will cut back and remove a portion of the trunk to encourage thickening. This method allows you to create interesting curves and bends. Afterward, you focus on shaping the branches and continue pruning and trimming as usual. Essentially, they thicken relative to their size in the pot, although factors like root space and tree health also play a role in this process. If you ever see a Taiwan Boxwood, these work well in a small pot.
Wonderful information, thank you so much for getting back to me on this. I really appreciate it 💕🙂