Craig: There are limits to the value of what you can glean here in the
IBC. You can learn a whole lot, but it doesn't take the place of
learning with a local bonsai club. You've received general advice and
information about your cotoneaster here, but for more specific questions
about climate, I suggest you ask people in your Cincinnati climate.
There is a very active Cincinnati club (Greater Cincinnati
Bonsai Society) which has a web site at:
http://www.cincinnatibonsai.com/
A few of them even participate here in the IBC. They'll likely be a lot
more informed about your specific needs.
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com

-----Original Message-----
Cotoneaster is tough and can take heavy pruning. The usual advice is to
trim the new growth during the growing season to keep the plant from
going wild and to prune the old growth in early Spring to shape the
plant as desired. Early Spring is the recommended time for wiring the
plant.
Later
Ray Schmitt, Aliso Viejo, CA
Cold Hardiness Zone 10b AHS Heat Zone 4 Sunset Climate Zone 22


Unless you live in the Caribbean, it's a little late in the year
for branch and root pruning, especially for bougs which have tender
roots and have to be treated with care when pruning and repotting during
the normal time of the year.
I live in Orange County CA a few miles from the coast in Sunset
zone 22/23. The growing season here runs from early March to late Nov. .
I repotted a royal purple boug (5 gal size) in early Nov into a mica
bonsai pot (7x10x3) and thinned out the branches. It's still doing fine,
lotsa colorful bracts.
In late Sep I hard pruned (branches and roots) a cotoneaster
parneyi (red clusterberry cotoneaster), another 5 gal nursery plant and
repotted into a mica bonsai pot.. So far, so good, but I'll be a while
before the red berries return.
Later
Ray Schmitt, Aliso Viejo, CA
Cold Hardiness Zone 10b AHS Heat Zone 4 Sunset Climate Zone 22


Ray:
Thanks for your response. I am in Cincinnati - Hardiness Zone 6a.
OK to prune the cottoneaster just before leafing in spring or late
winter?
Craig

"Craig" wrote in message
I just bought a Bougainvillea (about 3 feet high,leggy, and
blooming - one gallon container) and what may be a cottoneaster (or
crabapple) (orange berries and about 3 ft high - 2 gallon container).
The Bougainvillea is an indoor and the other an outdoor - I believe.
What I can I do now to start preparing them for Bonsai size and
pots? Can I prune them back and do root pruning now? I do have a high
intensity sodium light environment for gardening indoors.
Any info is appreciated.
Craig

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