Liquid Ambar tips

[dansai]

Something that I was told by an experienced bonsai grower who studied under the Koreshoffs was that a method to get bark to appear more aged was withholding feeding to a bare minimum for 2 years and then feed heavily for 2 years. This was done after the tree had been lifted from the ground and places in a larger grow box and had the affect of hardening the outer bark and then the extra growth put on by feeding cracked the bark giving it a much older look.

This can be used with other species but the example he showed us was a liquid Amber with a base around 7 to 8 cms and awesome cracked bark up the trunk and out onto the branches.

[dansai]

And an interesting observation I have made which I don't know about being able to replicate, especially in a bonsai, regards a mature tree I have at home. The tree in question gives only moderate autumn colour, going from green to yellow then a little bit of colour before brown and lead drop. Over 5 years ago I lit a fire under it and one branch in full leaf was affected and the leaves dried and dropped. I can't remember if it put out new leaves, but every year since this branch has produced much better colour. I'm fact it has started already whereas the rest of the tree is healthy green. Even stranger is the branch originating directly opposite it, possibly from the original pair of leaf buds, also gets good autumn colur. They both get deep reds and purples. I will attempt an air layer maybe next year in the hope the characteristics will stay.

[Waltron]

Ken, the foliage on your Liquidambar looks really dense and healthy so whatever you're doing keep it up!
Trying to grow a liquidamber myself so this thread could prove useful. I'm approach grafting a branch on mine and am leaving it on the entire growing season (looks like it has taken though) so have left the tree to run wild, not very photogenic at the moment.

[wrcmad]

Something that I was told by an experienced bonsai grower who studied under the Koreshoffs was that a method to get bark to appear more aged was withholding feeding to a bare minimum for 2 years and then feed heavily for 2 years. This was done after the tree had been lifted from the ground and places in a larger grow box and had the affect of hardening the outer bark and then the extra growth put on by feeding cracked the bark giving it a much older look.

This can be used with other species but the example he showed us was a liquid Amber with a base around 7 to 8 cms and awesome cracked bark up the trunk and out onto the branches.

I have found this technique to work quite well also - though I found out quite by accident.
The pic below is a tree that was living in a 12 inch pot, and neglected for quite a few years, with no feed, and minimal water ( ).
It was then brought back out of the wilderness and cared for.
After a couple of years, this is the resulting bark. The species is Chinese elm, and it is not a corky bark.

elmbark2.jpg

[Beano]

Nice trees guys. Thanks for posting. Ken, you're little twin trunk is looking very nice at the moment.

Regwac, I find that my LA's also fill their pots with root very quickly. I try and repot mine at least every second year.

Treeman, unfortunately that is not my tree. As mentioned, I pinched it from the web for inspiration. I dont know who the owner is but would love attribute it if someone does know. I'm assuming the tree resides in America as it was listed on google with their common name for LA's (i.e. sweet gum).

I thought I better put up one of mine. This tree was purchased from another Ausbonsai member around 2 years ago. They were reducing their collection and had lost interest in the tree. It was heavily rootbound, pushing itself out of the pot 3-4 cm. Since purchasing it I have repotted it, reduced its height and worked on branch ramification. The original owner had styled the tree in the classical bonsai style and I decided to continue with this image. The trees I have in development and in the ground will be styled with a more natural feel.

Anyway, the tree...

front 26 feb 2013.jpg

6 mar 2015.png

Apologies for the poor quality images. Phone was just easier at the moment.

The tree still needs a lot of work. Next spring I will be working on the nebari in particular.

Keep coming with the tips and trees guys.

Cheers,

Ces.

I want this!

[xIIRevoEvoS]

Whats the major difference with Maple vs Liquid Amber?
To me it looks the same

[kcpoole]

Whats the major difference with Maple vs Liquid Amber?
To me it looks the same

Bark is different, LA has much larger leaves and are usually 5 lobed ( bur some are 3), darker green leaf. Paler bark.
Do not layer as easily.

Ken

[xIIRevoEvoS]

Whats the major difference with Maple vs Liquid Amber?
To me it looks the same

Bark is different, LA has much larger leaves and are usually 5 lobed ( bur some are 3), darker green leaf. Paler bark.
Do not layer as easily.

Ken

Is it also possible to tell when they have a 'ball nut' hanging on the sheath, that acutally hurts if you threw it at someone.
Are LAs planted on the side of the road ie:next to footpaths on streets?

[xIIRevoEvoS]

Any pest/disease that happens on the leaf top/under?

[kcpoole]

Any pest/disease that happens on the leaf top/under?

Not that i have experienced

Ken

[PeterH]

I have had fungal problems this year on one of my LA. I suspect it has come from my fruit trees. I have treated with a systemic fungicide and will use lime sulfur this winter.

Regards,

Peter

[SteveT]

The mealy bugs get to mine at this time of year.

[3vanC]

Bark is different, LA has much larger leaves and are usually 5 lobed ( bur some are 3), darker green leaf. Paler bark.
Do not layer as easily.

Ken

Do you have any advice about air layering the LA?

I have a 4.5 foot high tree just about 1/2 inch wide at the base purchased from a standard nursery. I'm hoping to turn it into 3 small trees by applying 2 air layers to the trunk and growing from the stump/current root system.

I defoliated the top 3rd about 2 weeks ago and it's budding. I'm just outside Brisbane.

Cheers!

[kcpoole]

Bark is different, LA has much larger leaves and are usually 5 lobed ( bur some are 3), darker green leaf. Paler bark.
Do not layer as easily.

Ken

Do you have any advice about air layering the LA?

I have a 4.5 foot high tree just about 1/2 inch wide at the base purchased from a standard nursery. I'm hoping to turn it into 3 small trees by applying 2 air layers to the trunk and growing from the stump/current root system.

I defoliated the top 3rd about 2 weeks ago and it's budding. I'm just outside Brisbane.

Cheers!

Nope never tried one.
give it a whirl and see how sucessful (or otherwise) it is.

Ken

[Ces]

So the Anzac Day hail storm in Sydney ruined my Autumn display for the year.

Anyone get some photos of their LA's in colour this year?