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Spiraea japonica
I just bought a Spiraea japonica last week. After some internet searching, it appears not to be a very common plant used in bonsai (here is an exception). I have pruned it heavily, but have left the branches much longer than is proportional for the trunk. I did this because it would have no leaves otherwise, but it seems to be growing fast. Can (or should) I cut back the branches further to bring it into proportion, or should I let them go? Will the branches thicken as fast if they are kept short? I would like to encourage some back-budding.
I am very much a beginner, and so far all my trees are far too young (and young looking) to be considered Bonsai, so I wanted to get something a bit farther along. This one had a thick trunk and some surface roots so I went for it.
Thanks for any advice
-Paul
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Oops, too late! I repotted it on Sunday. Hopefully it survives (people have told me it is a tough plant). I'll let it be the rest of the year though. Thanks.
That is a very good start for a spirea.
They are not known to have good solid trunks, so they are not usually suitable for bonsai.
Your plant has a nice trunk and you have done well so far.
I would allow your tree to recover from your initial pruning and wiring.
You were right to leave some foliage on the ends.
Backbudding will come in the following months after the tree sees more sunlight and warm temperatures.
You will be able to cut the branches back further, but I would wait until it gets some major growth back.
I wouldn't do anything else to it this year.
Next early spring, I would repot it into a bonsai container and get it some fast draining bonsai soil.
I have zero experience with spirea, but I am guessing it acts the same as many other delicate deciduous shrubs.
Attached is a species guide for spirea from Bonsai4Me.com.