KAOS said:
Hi Mike
Post some pics of your NuMex when you get going. I'd like to see your progress.
Ok, finally got around to starting mine today.
Supplies. Cheap little Bonsai kit from Amazon (I think it was like $7) and training wire (another $7)
NuMex Twilight candidate
Initial cut
I transplanted this directly on top of a baseball in the Spring, anticipating turning this plant into a Bonchi
Trimmed and cleaned off the root ball
I've gotta say, that was pretty uneventful, lol. I was hoping the roots would've been a lot thicker. I was aiming to have the roots totally exposed, leaving a big hollow space underneath. The roots were just too flimsy to support the weight of the plant, and it kept collapsing. Maybe I could've used some of the thick training wire here, but I was already getting aggravated after about 10 failed attempts, lol. Oh well. Also sprinkled a bunch of cinnamon onto the top of the soil, in an attempt to deter fungus gnats. It's worked for me in seedling trays in the past (fingers crossed)
If I feel like the root system is getting stronger/thicker, I might uproot it a little bit later on to try to get that big empty space underneath. Or maybe I'll grow it in a bigger pot, as a full sized plant again next year, then re-Bonchi it again at the end of next season, with stronger roots. For now, this is what I've got
Now, I've just gotta find a place to put it in my house, lol
I haven't tried using any of the training wire or anything yet. We'll see what happens once I start seeing some new growth. I can already tell you I don't have the freakin' patience for a project like this, haha
Wish me luck!