I agreed with CJ, do the ramification first, can either in training pot or the first planting pot or even on the ground.
But most important is the root system. The root ball must be strong enough so that the tree can survive the changes especially root pruning is involved.
However it depends on the type of species. Species like Ficus, Buxus Harlandii, Chinese Elm and most deciduous trees can easily survive. But for coniferous species like
Junipers and pines, due to our weather conditions, great care must be taken during re potting. We can't just prune the roots and fit the tree into a bonsai pot we want.
It might just k o. So change to a slightly smaller pot first then gradually to the bonsai pot you think that fit.

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Aug 31 2013, 05:40 PM

Hey CJ,

You really got handful of good wrigthia materials.

Thanks to the Merdeka Holidays, Finally I'm able to work on my bonsai after 2 busy weekends.

This Ficus Retusa is propagandized from a branch cutting several years ago. No initial shaping was done and just allowed to grow free.



Removed from the garden pot with all the roots exposed.



.... leaves defoliated so that the trunk and branches can be visible.



This old Chinese pot seen to suit at least as a training pot.



First a try out....




.......front ?? ........back ??


After an hour of careful selection of the branches to be cut off, wiring and branches adjustment...

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Aug 31 2013, 05:42 PM


Attached thumbnail(s)

Now the size.....



Top view....



... and my ultimate goal.....

Chinese Black Pine Update.

These 2 Black Pines were bought from Min Hoe Yuen Melaka sometimes back in Feb this year.



They finally got used to the condition of my garden and are developing well.
I've done some hard bending to get them into a first shape that I want including air layered to get 2 out of 1.



Top part....



...bottom part..



Another CBP..



Top part....



......bottom part..



Hopefully in 3 month's time I can have all 4 of them.

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Aug 31 2013, 06:17 PM

I'm trying to create something looks like Joe Samuel's creation called "The Cloud"
It'll be "look n see" how this ficus develops as time goes on.
What I've in mind right now is to cut away some roots and branches when it started to grow steadily.



The black pine costs RM100 per tree.
I wander whether there is still any left in Min Hoe Yuen.
Zabel should be able to tell 'coz he went to MHY recently.

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Aug 31 2013, 11:09 PM

Wow! Zabel,u really got the heat on !

How much a tree like that selling in MHY?

If u are interested in the Joe Samuel's ficus bonsai story "the cloud", go to googles type "ficus bonsai the cloud" n have a good reading time.
I have already got quite some ficus, and more over, ficus is not my favorite, just don't want anymore due to space constraint.

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Sep 1 2013, 10:12 PM

Wow! U guys are round the clock bonsai craze !

A weekender like me simply have to

Hi Loo,

If I've not remember wrongly, you have an awesome "limau" tree too.
Mind to have an update?

Hi Loo,

That deserve a double Wow!

I'm sure that many bonsai kaki following this topic will certainty like to see photos of progressive development.

Hope more bonsai sifu can generously post up their photos for sharing.

Thank you.

You can actually find limau tree growing wild in kumpung areas. But to dig up and pot, require extra care.

Alvchin, if you can plant your asam java on ground, within 3 years the trunk might grow up to 3" in diameter.

Hi Loo,

From your first photo, you seen to have a back yard full of interesting bonsai materials.
Are you a bonsai or plant nursery trader? Mind to share more of your photos?

You can try Green Sphere Bonsai & Nursey at Desa Petaling or Bonsai Alley at Kawasan Landscape, Rezeb Jabatan Hutan Damasara.

Hi Zabel,

Good initial literati style. I suggest you transfer one or two of your asam jawa to a flat pot, I mean a pot not more than 1.5 ins high. In just 3 months you can actually see the effect on the naberi.

This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Sep 9 2013, 08:27 AM

Bonsai Off Topic
Every trees is Bonsai Inspiration on this....

Land Of The Kiwi.


The huge NZ Pinus radiata..


The mighty Douglas Fir ....


The beautiful NZ Weeping Mellow ...


...and the colorful Cherry Blossom...


... and trees that I do not know their names.


The scenes are just spectacular !



This post has been edited by Bonsailelong: Sep 21 2013, 03:19 PM

Good work Zabel!

It's good to be home and working on my bonsai again.

Still on initial shaping of my garden ficus.

Another garden ficus.

Next Change.