AusBonsai

About 3 months ago I dug a reasonably old and fragile lavender from a garden, not very good bonsai quality's but I just really liked it.
When it was dug it had a few flowers that I removed, not sure if that's the right thing to do but thought it would help with moisture loss, it quickly pushed another few flowers which I also removed, 3 months down the track and its flowering again and was wondering if i should just let it grow freely for a while and let it retain some vigor?
These are pics of the new flowers
Cheers Beau

I've just had a closer look at the dates and its actually just over 2 months down the track not 3

Nice trunk Beau . Sunshine and water and a bit of fert for the next 12 months . The more growth in that time means more new roots and more options . I would enjoy the flower but I think you are right in not letting it flower too much while it settles in . I haven’t seen a lavender bonsai before so it will be interesting to see how it goes .

Lavender is often difficult to transplant. They will often grow a little and flower using the energy stored in the trunk and branches even if there are no new roots. Definitely just let it grow now and that it is also growing new roots. If it continues to grow through spring and into the warmer weather when water demand is high I would count it as a successful transplant and begin working with it a bit more.

Thanks guys for some root growth, it is a bit of a concern as the base on one side has rotted away and I'm not sure how stable it would be without the guy-wires I've got in place

Hi Beau ,Interesting looking trunk ,will look a treat with a full set of flowers. I collected a fairly old one last year ,the only trouble i have is when there is a lot of rain about . I potted up in a pretty fine mix ,not a good move . Will use a course free draining mix next re pot. Good luck with yours. Cheers John.

Thought I'd share some pictures of a rosemary that I dug the same day, also a very interesting trunk, supposedly the same age as the lavender around 15 - 20 years old.
It was Laden with flowers, too many to remove so I didn't, from what I've read much more forgiving when transplant ing

not sure why it posted the first picture 3 times haha

Love the trunk on the rosemary! Great score with that one.

Rosemary are a difficult subject in my opinion. They dislike root disturbance (actually they hate it), they don't shoot back on old wood, branches are as stiff as a post so wiring is difficult. However they are beautiful and have amazing looking trunks.
I've got my fingers crossed for you and I wish you much luck as I personally love them.

An update on the lavender.
This has been powering along beautifully, not once has it stopped flowering and after a chat with the grandmother in-law who's garden i dug it from, I discovered that this particular lavender flowers all year round and was one of the plants she made her pot-pourri from.
I was having trouble deciding on a pot but about 3 - 4 weeks ago I was forced to just repot it into the only pot I had that fit after a possum decided it would use it as a stepping stone.
It is still incredibly unstable without the guy wires and the stone propping it up and I feel they will be permanent features, but I don't mind at all as I am thoroughly enjoying it regardless.
I just bought a dremel and once some bits arrive im looking forward to cleaning up the pruned cut ends of the dead wood and making it looking slightly more weathered

I have dug 5 lavender plants from the garden and potted - ALL died.
need help please - what is your secret.

cheers
Phil