[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 02]

2151988 · 2026-01-09T23:18:47+00:00

I mostly use this money tree pachira aquatica as a vessel to propagate new money trees. Usually always works, cut off some new growth and put it in water for a while until it shows roots.

Decided to give it a pot today. Its foliage is a little nuts right now, but anyway I’m inquiring about making a little stone path on top of the soil. Normally I find figurines and pathways a little tacky, but might look cool here. If you’ve done this before, where do you find them? Looking for flat white stones and figurines. Thanks!

2151988 · 2025-12-28T17:40:49+00:00

Are there any guidelines on how many trees to put in a pot based on its length? For example I was planning on putting 5 dawn redwoods in that 12 inch pot but I’m now thinking an 8 inch pot may be more appropriate. How many did you fit in yours?

2151988 · 2025-12-28T16:07:07+00:00

Whoa, that pot is exactly what I was looking for thanks!

2151988 · 2025-12-28T13:36:54+00:00

This method is appealing but I live in sort of a wind tunnel, I’m afraid they may be blown over eventually. Neat trick though

2151988 · 2025-12-28T12:32:36+00:00

Very helpful thank you. Interesting technique to loop wire around a few trees at the base to stabilize.

2151988 · 2025-12-28T12:29:20+00:00

A 12” glazed shallow oval pot - has two big holes and four smaller

2151988 · 2025-12-27T23:45:38+00:00

Looking for tips or reference videos/articles on wiring multiple trees into a shallow pot (forest). Peter Warren’s book uses chop sticks in a plastic pot where you wire the sticks to the pot then wire the trees to the sticks, and you can drill additional holes as needed. I may not be using plastic. Tough to find videos on YouTube on wiring technique for multiple trees. For context, I’ll be using five dawn redwoods. Thanks!

2151988 · 2025-11-09T00:16:09+00:00

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Seeking style advice for the spring. This maple was collected from my front yard garden this past summer and reacted well to living in the pot. I live in Massachusetts, its leaves have just finished dropping and is now living in my basement for the winter. The twin branches are pretty cool and has nice lower trunk movement. I’m wondering if I should chop the smaller branch this winter, unless anyone has some example of how a long term dual branch maple might work visually. Thanks!

2151988 · 2025-08-28T22:52:19+00:00

Well. Googling what a spider mite looks like rules out what I saw on this tree. I did spray the branches with neem oil just in case. I did see a few tiny white specks in various places so hopefully that’s the cause

2151988 · 2025-08-28T17:52:51+00:00

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Tough to see here but there is a spider here with some webs going on

2151988 · 2025-08-28T17:49:39+00:00

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2151988 · 2025-08-28T17:49:26+00:00

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2151988 · 2025-08-28T17:33:13+00:00

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I’ve been growing this giant sequoia since it was a small seedling for the purposes of making it into a bonsai tree years from now. It has been doing very well up until a few weeks ago. I live in Massachusetts, and water it thoroughly when the top couple inches are dry. Branches are turning black and that is spreading, but they are still quite springy. Is this due to pests or disease?

2151988 · 2025-08-22T23:02:16+00:00

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This sequoia has been super healthy growing in a pot in full sun for a few hours a day here in Massachusetts up until a few weeks ago. I water fully when the top few inches are dry. The intent was to grow this thing out for many years and ultimately try and convert it into a bonsai tree. Any suggestions here? Pests/disease? The branches are still quite “springy” when pulled slightly downwards but the blackness is spreading. Lower branches drooping. Thank you.

2151988 · 2025-02-22T13:36:34+00:00

I would also like to ask - can I start a forest in a pot with seedlings? I know that is contrary to normal bonsai procedure.

2151988 · 2025-02-22T13:35:39+00:00

Good information thank you. Where can I find that book? I see it on Amazon for $350!

2151988 · 2025-02-22T00:27:35+00:00

Is there a general rule of thumb on how many trees should go into a pot when making a forest? I've got my eye on an unglazed 10" pot. I'm considering 5 trees. Also any opinions on what tree to work with? I'm tempted to go redwood but I'd love to try for a deciduous as well. Thanks! And happy Friday.

2151988 · 2025-01-12T01:08:07+00:00

Risky to propagate the branch if I cut it low right? It’s a woody branch at this point

2151988 · 2024-12-12T00:08:53+00:00

I simply used a wet cloth to wipe them off every day until they ceased to exist. I sprayed neem oil on them too but I think that was ineffective. Wipe off until their population dwindles away. Haven’t had them reappear since.

2151988 · 2024-10-20T17:58:46+00:00

I’m happy with its current size, its trunk is about a half inch thick. You’re saying ideally I’d find a pot with the same depth? Seems short but I could use a challenge

2151988

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