I found the time, this week to carry out the seasonal work on my 2 shohin chojubai quince. This species responds better to having the root work done late in the season rather than in the spring. I am doing this work a few weeks later than I did it last year but with the mild weather we have been having and the protection of the greenhouse it should be OK.
This is how the first one looked when in flower in the Spring of last year.
Last Autumn, the roots were reduced a little and it was replanted in this green ceramic pot. It didn’t put on much new growth this season and I suspect that it was because the pot was too small to allow much new root development.
This is how it looks at the moment with the roots reduced a little more, replanted in a slightly larger pot by Eimei at the Yozan kiln
This is how it looked when I acquired it 3 seasons ago
This is how the second tree looked during the flowering period last year.
Last Autumn, the thick roots were reduced further and it was replanted in the same large pot to allow continued fine root development. It grew exceptionally well this season with lots of new fine roots.
This is how it looks at the moment after another re-pot this week. The pot is about the right size to house this tree for the time being but it is not show quality in my opinion, so the search will continue for the right pot over the winter.
This is a reminder of how the second tree looked, when I acquired it 3 seasons ago.
Robert Nocher Shohin Bonsai 
Hi Robert,
Great looking trees! Do you have any advice on how to develop chojubai from cuttings? I have a small specimen that has put on a lot of leggy growth but I am unsure whether to prune back or just let it run to try and build trunk thickness. Thanks!
Hi Lars,
I have many young chojubai cuttings in development. My plan for these cuttings is to grow and feed them vigorously for a few years to thicken up the trunks and then cut them back hard to develop them as bonsai.
I would just let it grow to add trunk size faster. At least leave some sacrificial limbs in the direction to encourage trunk girth. They’re slow growers and any trick might help them along. 🙂
Thanks for your comments Joe. I think that’s good advice for many deciduous and flowering species. My cotoneasters don’t like having their roots restricted either, they tend to respond with slower growth and fewer berries
Robert, I notice too by adding space for roots to add size the tree will add growth proportionately. Even if that space is created by root reduction the tops will grow out pretty soon after root pruning. If they’re left pot bound the barely grow and if left for more than 4yrs the health will start fading. I enjoy your posts. Thanks
Joe
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.