Page 54 - BSAM 2018 Q4

Top left: Figure 1. Just after collected, it was put in a bonsai pot and allowed to grow. Only very tolerant species can withstand this part.
Top right: Figure 2. Cutting part of the trunk and setting some branches
Bottom: Figure 3. The branch structure is developing, and detailed refinement is being obtained. The branches begin to taper.
When dealing with a new species for bonsai we can do the following. We can test how well they respond to two rounds of pruning (in this case, plants include trees, vines, and bushes that are perennial and can live for several decades). Usually, after the first round of pruning several new branches will emerge if we are handling non-conifers. (hint: usually all conifers have a good- to medium-response to a lasting branch, so this test is not for them) After the new branches grow, we prune some but not all, and allow the plant to grow for a season. Good species will keep all the branches, Bad species will kill all the branches that were pruned. If some live and some don’t, then it is somewhat ok to work with.
I invented this technique to decide among several tree species that grow in my area and from which there is no data available. One example is Enriquebeltriana cretinifolia, a tree species from Yucatan that I found while walking in the woods. Here I show some of the development under stress conditions, which include, pruning, and keeping it in small containers, wood- working, wiring, and bending. This process is stressful to the trees, and depending on the plant’s response, one can see how good it is for further investment of time. A good species will maintain all the branches, while one that is not good, will kill all the second-pruned branches. Species in between will keep some and kill others.
Just after collected, the plant was put in a bonsai pot and allowed to grow. Only very tolerant species
52 | BCI | October/November/December 2018