Bonsai advice needed !!

I'm having my first attempt at Bonsai. I had a Horse Chestnut sprouting in my lawn so dug it out and had a go at growing as a Bonsai. So far, so good. The trunk seems to be thickening up and the foliage looks healthy.

Question is, given the growth it is up to now, when do I begin snipping out new leaves etc or do I just leave it alone?? Any advice greatly appreciated as I don't know where to go from here.

 

Hi Barry

I have done bonsai for some 20 years, mostly from scratch. Brought all of mine to Portugal with me ... and took them back and forth for a few years summer holidays in the UK!

Personally I would at this point strip off all leaves and move the babe outside all the time, being a tree.

I never fed mine in Bucks ... nor here .. they are trees so I treated them all as they would live naturally. When I 'babied' them ... I sadly lost them ... some 15 years old or more!

Treat it with kindness and respect ... and it will love you.

 

how long has it been in the takeaway dish ?

 

Mefinks you need smaller leaves I have killed more bonsai than most though LOL

 

Agree with you on the leaf size but bet I could beat you on the score ....

 

So, if I strip off all leaves as Victoria says, at when do I pinch out the next new growth??
Whis4ey says I need smaller leaves so how do I achieve that???
Help - I'm confused...............

 

If only planted this year , I would leave the leaves on and reduce the width with a pair of scissors either side of the main rib , you have chosen a hard one to start with

 

I would strip the leaves off now ... they are way too big. In order to get smaller leaves, you strip the existing leaves off. I don't think it is too wide for the first year. But this is just my opinion.

 

@Victoria

which part of what I said do you disagree with, all ????

 

... the bit about trimming it from the sides.

 

It is worth highlighting the need for trees to be healthy and vigorous before leaf-cutting/removing is carried out, and I doubt that, it would need to establish self 1st in its takeaway dish, if its been in a year yes I agree with you but no if it hasn't but with conker trees its not that easy.

 

well say so next time rather than disagree , discussing is so much more fun and informative.

 

Sorry Spruce!

Perhaps you and barryman would like to see my pride and joy which I just trimmed last week (the mess around it is fallen Jacaranda fronds) ...

 

Absolutely lovely..... so colourful as well. makes a horse chestnut seem a bit boring!