The first step when creating branches from scratch on coast redwood pre-bonsai is to stimulate lots of new shoots. Once this new growth appears, the next step is to trim the shoots on the upper portions of the trunk to begin developing compact branches (aka short internodes). (See “Step one” for details about starting the […]
Redwood
Creating redwood bonsai: step 1
A common first step in creating redwood bonsai is to remove most (or all) of the branches. Removing the branches makes it possible to develop new branches with short internodes, and with short internodes, we have much more flexibility with how dense the resulting tree can become. For the tree to respond well to initial […]
Coast redwood cutback and repotting
I’ve been working on a large coast redwood for the past few years in fits and starts. After an initial pruning and repotting (see “Coast redwood” for details) I’ve worked on the tree in earnest several times only to let it grow out again. After a few cycles of this, I removed almost all of […]
Redwood redesign: step 1
Coast redwoods are a fantastic species for training as bonsai, and one that I plan to write about more going forward. One fun thing about redwoods is that there are a number of different approaches to training them. Some people set the structure of the tree by pruning and wiring, while others build branches by […]
Coast redwood – repotting follow-up
Three months ago I pruned and repotted a coast redwood. Coast redwood After cutback After root work Repotting complete The tree responded well and produced new foliage. New growth three months later Foliage detail This is the response I’m used to from redwoods. I repotted a second tree that same day, however, and it’s recovery […]