I have a year old seedling - what would I need to do to take the next step on this one - can it even be done? I love Mesquite, but cannot have a tree here - too cold in the winter and would kill it. Do they really need the cold?
Mesquite? Can it be done?
Mitch;
Where is Red Oak, Texas?
Just South of Dallas, but we are moving to Oklahoma City OK.
Mitch;
I lived in Dallas, El Paso, and Albuquerque (long before I became interested in Bonsai. But here is what I remember of Mesquite. Its not tropical, it grows wild all over the Southwest, so its got to be cold hardy, probably to -20 at least.
The wood is quite stiff, but I don't know how long it takes for new growth to stiffen so that you can't bend it with wire.
In spring, when the buds start to swell, decide which side shoots you want to keep and trim most of the rest off. Look, say, for a low left branch, then a right branch, then a back branch, and a new leader that you can cut the main stem back to and wire it up to be the new apex. Then wire the branches into position. As the buds break and leaf out, they produce a growing tip. Allow two leaves to unfurl, and cut the tip of that growing tip. under the petiole (leaf stem) where it attaches to the branch, is a dormant bud. These buds should produce other growing tips to which you do the same, two leaves then cut.
I should have said at the beginning to get some good Bonsai Soil to plant it in. Very course, small particle, organic and inorganic components. I use chicken grit and crushed pine bark. Have to sift the pine bard to 3/16" size and get the "grower" size of grit. Mix it 50-50 by volume.
WHAT? Yes, it allows for a good soaking, thorough draining (prevents root rot) and lets the oxygen back down to the roots. Water once a day, keep in full sun, fertilize with a good 20-20-20 fertilizer at half strength twice a month. When the temp gets above 85 on a continuous basis, stop fertilizing and you may have to water twice a day. Maybe put it in dapled shade.
At least, that's my advice...
Wonderful!!! Thank you so much - I just love this plant that remind me of Texas... and cannot wait to get my baby started.
Mitch, did you ever start the Mesquite bonsai? Living in AZ, I'm thinking of trying Mesquite, Palo Verde and Ironwood, all native plants.
I am curious too. I have a native oak that I dug up and it is doing well but a mesquite tree would be fun to try.
C
Found out that some members of the Phoenix Bonsai Society that done all 3 I'm thinking about, so I'll going forward with it.
Take some pics...