Bonsai Help?

[TJS]

I have purchased a sergertia theezans bonsai that was looking a little worse for wear! I felt sorry for it though LOL

I have done as advised by a friend and cut off all the green, excessively long branches with large leaves on, and removed all dead, The plastic pot into the soil is a bonsai drip release fertaliser I bought.

Is there anything i need to look out for or anything obviously wrong with the plant from the pictures, also any tips on how to make it look nicer e.t.c.

Any idea why the bonsai is raised up like that also, Im not sure if it was intended or if the roots are overgrown and need maintenance



(click to enlarge)

[Caff]

Originally Posted by TJS

I have purchased a sergertia theezans bonsai that was looking a little worse for wear! I felt sorry for it though LOL

I have done as advised by a friend and cut off all the green, excessively long branches with large leaves on, and removed all dead, The plastic pot into the soil is a bonsai drip release fertaliser I bought.

Is there anything i need to look out for or anything obviously wrong with the plant from the pictures, also any tips on how to make it look nicer e.t.c.

Any idea why the bonsai is raised up like that also, Im not sure if it was intended or if the roots are overgrown and need maintenance



(click to enlarge)

What genus is it?
It looks like it is deperately trying to be the full-blown thing.
It needs the roots controlling to keep the top in control and may need to be kept outside. The rootball should fit into a halved grapefruit skin.
A good way of growing them is to have the roots inside a pierced skin and then pruning off roots that grow through it.

[TJS]

Originally Posted by Caff

What genus is it?
It looks like it is deperately trying to be the full-blown thing.
It needs the roots controlling to keep the top in control and may need to be kept outside. The rootball should fit into a halved grapefruit skin.
A good way of growing them is to have the roots inside a pierced skin and then pruning off roots that grow through it.

The only information that came with it was a little tag saying 'sergeretia theezans'

Do you have any tips on how it should be trimmed or should i leave it for now?

Also there are 2 branches growingout of the trunk quite low down should i clip them off?

---------- Post added at 19:29 ---------- Previous post was at 19:26 ----------

would i ever be able to get it to look like this?

p.s. when I got it it had 2 little dried fruits on it LOL

[Caff]

I did a search for the genus, and all google could thrown up was your post

I'm loathed to give up on any living thing so I would show some tough love and hard-prune the roots and be ready for top growth to die back until the topgrowth can cope with the root system (and vice versa) and stick it in a sheltered spot outside.
All of that might be too much of a shock for the tree so mebbe just put it outside for a while (perfect time of year) and then tackle the roots.
Keep the feeding and watering up.

And don't hit me if it gives up the ghost.

Orrrr... plant it outside and start afresh with a new tree?

Did you taste the fruits?
Could be an olive tree - so - a hot, sheltered and sunny spot would do the trick.

[TJS]

Originally Posted by Caff

I did a search for the genus, and all google could thrown up was your post

I'm loathed to give up on any living thing so I would show some tough love and hard-prune the roots and be ready for top growth to die back until the topgrowth can cope with the root system (and vice versa) and stick it in a sheltered spot outside.
All of that might be too much of a shock for the tree so mebbe just put it outside for a while (perfect time of year) and then tackle the roots.
Keep the feeding and watering up.

And don't hit me if it gives up the ghost.

Orrrr... plant it outside and start afresh with a new tree?

I misstyped the name sorry, it's a "Sageretia theezans" (no idea how I managed that!)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sageretia_theezans

[Caff]

Better advice than I could give is here :

http://www.mybonsaibuddy.com/chinese...plum_care.html

Good Luck!

[LSainsbury]

I've had 3 or 4 bonsias now. All of them have died. They are very difficult to keep.

[TJS]

it's been named twiggy now I hope he/she doesn't die

[Maggy J]

Maybe take a look over on Amazon for a good picture heavy book on Bonsai growing.

[TJS]

Just an update.

I'm no expert but i'd say its looking a damn sight happier! still not the prettiest bonsai but there's time yet.