Renewed Bonsai Interest

@Silky_smooth 's post renewed my interest in trying to grow a Bonsai Cannabis plant or two. I saved the article Bonsai Mums from Oldtimer1 when first being directed to it a couple of years ago. Still searching the Internet and reading that article over and over but find no real information about what kind of light cycle would be needed to maintain a constant vegetative growth state. There are some cool posts on IG to follow that show some work being done but still no real light information.

No interest in flowering or harvesting at this time, just a maintained growth state to work on making a Bonsai. I've pulled a few different genetics from storage to pop and and work with but still need some advice on what kind of light cycle would be best to maintain growth and prevent flowering. Really hoping to get something purple, black or blue to work with but would be happy with anything that ends up succeeding. Since I'm starting from seed, would the 16 - 24 hours of light, 8 - 0 hours of dark be fine then switch to 16 - 8 and just stay there ?

Any pointers, ideas or recommendations are welcome.

Thank you.

Hello....i am doing them on a 20h lightcycle...
Made a little irigationsystem out of a straw and such....maybe look at my post for a few pointers....

I really want to see your results....i am planning on doing 4 this year and i hope by next new year to be somewhere near the end...
The first one is the blue spider and the second is the somango xxl

Firstly I can't wait to see all these little bonsai plants grow...looks like a really fun project.
I have a few too many projects on hand at the moment, but someday I may try one.
Anyways I would believe the light cycle to be the same as if it were a mother plant you take clones from.
I use 16:8 (On:Off) and I have 6 mothers under it for past 4 months doing fine.
As long as the light is more then the minimum flower period, which I think is 13:11 to 14:10, you should be fine. Most people use 12:12 to flower.
Good luck and happy growing

18/6 on/off to prevent flowering. 24hour light theoredically reduces stem stretch which is ideal for bonsai. Root trimming is important to keep everything compact. Low Stress Training and ruitine trimming of tops to stimulate growth.

ubluntu said:

Root trimming

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Root trimming? I guess it's time to start reading.

TheSadVeryBadMadGrower said:

Root trimming? I guess it's time to start reading.

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I keep small Bonsai moms. I keep them in square pots. Root trimming refers to when they become root bound. I more or less take a bread knife( one specific to growing) and cut off the bottom 1” of the root ball and then 1/2” off each of the sides. This will allow the roots to regrow triggering new growth. Usually I do it every 4-5 months depending on how much I’ve asked of them before hand (high nute and lighting levels)

When I do this I will also heavily trim them back about 5 days after trimming roots. You will more or less end up with a new plant and new vigour

ToFarGone said:

I keep small Bonsai moms. I keep them in square pots. Root trimming refers to when they become root bound. I more or less take a bread knife( one specific to growing) and cut off the bottom 1” of the root ball and then 1/2” off each of the sides. This will allow the roots to regrow triggering new growth. Usually I do it every 4-5 months depending on how much I’ve asked of them before hand (high nute and lighting levels)

When I do this I will also heavily trim them back about 5 days after trimming roots. You will more or less end up with a new plant and new vigour

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Thank you. I play with little mini grows too but never thought about cutting the roots. Very clever.

Silky_smooth said:

Hello....i am doing them on a 20h lightcycle...
Made a little irigationsystem out of a straw and such....maybe look at my post for a few pointers....

I really want to see your results....i am planning on doing 4 this year and i hope by next new year to be somewhere near the end...View attachment 4460191View attachment 4460192
The first one is the blue spider and the second is the somango xxl

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Trust me, I am for sure following your thread. That's what renewed my interest in trying it. I have been watching Bonsai videos non stop on Youtube for the last few days to refresh my memory.

User64 said:

Trust me, I am for sure following your thread. That's what renewed my interest in trying it. I have been watching Bonsai videos non stop on Youtube for the last few days to refresh my memory.

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yesterday I literally did the same thing after reading the growweedeasy article on bonsai moms. would check that out if you havent seen it yet.

You could make a lot of friends giving clones away lol

Powertech said:

You could make a lot of friends giving clones away lol

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I toss more that I just can’t even be bothered to root out then I would like to admit

ilovereggae said:

yesterday I literally did the same thing after reading the growweedeasy article on bonsai moms. would check that out if you havent seen it yet.

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That's a condensed version of the article by Oldtimer1 that I mentioned. Great info in there.

So today I did some root trimming. Nice sharp bread knife makes it real easy

User64 said:

Trust me, I am for sure following your thread. That's what renewed my interest in trying it. I have been watching Bonsai videos non stop on Youtube for the last few days to refresh my memory.

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herons bonsai and bonsai mirai have really solid info on youtube, was obsessed for a few years lol

ubluntu said:

Low Stress Training and ruitine trimming of tops to stimulate growth.

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I used to do Bonsai clone Mommas years ago. I just kept cutting clones off and she kept growing them. Doing a mainline trained Bonsai mom would work great.
JD

ToFarGone said:

I toss more that I just can’t even be bothered to root out then I would like to admit

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Actually, unless you're doing sog or some other clone intensive grow...it's necessary to take the cuttings, whether you need them or not. Part of Momma training. All leaves and trim go in cannabutter bag for later...never in trash...

And yes...occasional root trimming is needed. It seems crude to go after your plant rootball with a machete...but she'll thank you later.

@User64 Just thought if you did want to mainline her...I've done dozens. I'll guide you if you need. When plant has 3 nodes...then top above the 3rd one (not counting cotledons)...being careful not to damage new growing tips. 2nd step is after the growing tips become small branches.

I have in my mind...a momma mainlined to 16 colas so all you have to do is go around the circle cutting clones. Probably not as neat and tidy as in my imagination. lol
Later,
JD

PS in case you are curious...you are actually user 887265

User64 said:

Trust me, I am for sure following your thread. That's what renewed my interest in trying it. I have been watching Bonsai videos non stop on Youtube for the last few days to refresh my memory.

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I'm gonna start watching them as well!!!

Some bonsai work FFT6
Somango xxl bonsai
Still going to wait a bit with topping and training her down again

Blue wisteria(actual bonsai not cannabis)

Did it by accident. Start the seed In a depression....insert jokes. I was rushed and short on materials and cash to fix my mistake. So she started in about two inches of clay pebbles in 7in deep basket. Bam..she's a hanging branch already. Hack or is she going to die.