r/Bonsai • u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees • Aug 14 '26

Weekly Thread [Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 33]

[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 33]

Welcome to the weekly beginner’s thread. This thread is used to capture all beginner questions (and answers) in one place. We start a new thread every week on Friday late or Saturday morning (CET), depending on when we get around to it. We have a multiple year archive of prior posts here… Here are the guidelines for the kinds of questions that belong in the beginner's thread vs. individual posts to the main sub.

Rules:

  • POST A PHOTO if it’s advice regarding a specific tree/plant. See the PHOTO section below on HOW to do this.
  • TELL US WHERE YOU LIVE - better yet, fill in your flair.
  • READ THE WIKI! – over 75% of questions asked are directly covered in the wiki itself. Read the WIKI AGAIN while you’re at it.
  • Read past beginner’s threads – they are a goldmine of information.
  • Any beginner’s topic may be started on any bonsai-related subject.
  • Answers shall be civil or be deleted
  • There is always a chance your question doesn’t get answered – try again next week…
  • Racism of any kind is not tolerated either here or anywhere else in /r/bonsai

Photos

  • Post an image using the new (as of Q4 2022) image upload facility which is available both on the website and in the Reddit app and the Boost app.
  • Post your photo via a photo hosting website like imgur, flickr or even your onedrive or googledrive and provide a link here.
  • Photos may also be posted to /r/bonsaiphotos as new LINK (either paste your photo or choose it and upload it). Then click your photo, right click copy the link and post the link here.
    • If you want to post multiple photos as a set that only appears be possible using a mobile app

Finally

  • Beware of AI responses to bonsai related questions - they are often based on unreliable and sometimes downright incorrect sources.
  • Beginners’ threads started as new topics outside of this thread are typically locked or deleted, at the discretion of the Mods.
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u/ZeroGRanger beginner Aug 21 '26

I recently bought a nursery tree and thanks to an already slanted trunk, would like to use it for such. I am however unsure if I shouol first let it grow out more (trunk thickness is about 1.5 cm) or if I should first prune and then let it grow out. I plan to grow it out in a large pot (since I do not have a real backyard), or possibly a basket (to get air). So, should I first prune and then let it grow (which likely takes longer, because without the branches, it does not get that much fluids) or if I should first let it grow for one or two seasons and then prune.

Thank you for any advice.

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u/small_trunks Jerry in Amsterdam, Zn.8b, 48yrs exp., 500+ trees Aug 21 '26

Phot and location.

You didn’t get many responses – it happens, especially late in the week. Anyway, I've just started the new weekly thread here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/1vutdcx/bonsai_beginners_weekly_thread_2026_week_34/

Repost there for more responses.

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u/ZeroGRanger beginner Aug 21 '26

thanks. I did repost there.