This is one of 2 large Spruce purchased from Melbourne .I decided to set air layers using the open pot method that is always used here as the results are far better than sealed wrapped methods i have employed in the past . It much quicker to set and to maintain an open pot as watering is simply dome when the host required watering , simple squirt with a hose . These were layered in February 2011 and maintained during that period . The smaller trunk had an infestation of curl grubs and unfortunately never recovered with new root growth , I do believe if it was left on for another season it would have in my mind sprouted new roots as the callous was very healthy . I severed this layer off and removed the custom fitted pot from the trunk to reveal the excellent root mass produced using a grow medium of soft red scoria and pin bark at 80%-20% ration . This is a blend somewhat similar to my own bonsai mix . I do vary the ratio slightly for different species from Deciduous to Conifers . After removing and combing the roots out a simple trim of the roots and the removal of 7 branches the new trainer is then potted into a large shallow bonsai pot . This could have been removed from the base in Autunm as the root ball was well developed . I have place a coated wire over the upper whorls and around the pot to stabilize the tree to prevent the wind from toppling it over . With so much thick foliage it would be like a wind sail and definitely be blown over . For now i can sit back on this one and concentrate on the base which is basically ready for it first major wiring and shaping. The original trunks has had a major cut back of the root mass using a handsaw the raked out to selectively trim the roots . It was trimmed when the layer was set . The second trunk needs a good work over also . Cheers Alpineart

« »