(Withdrawn)[Ray M] Ligustrum Forest

[Josh]

Is this the large leaf privet

Josh

Hi Josh,
It is the small leaf.

Regards Ray

Ok thanks.

[cre8ivbonsai]

Yep can definitely see that potential now Ray hope you don't mind sharing your method of plant up on the slab did you use muck? Spag moss? Normal potting medium?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Ray M]

Yep can definitely see that potential now Ray hope you don't mind sharing your method of plant up on the slab did you use muck? Spag moss? Normal potting medium?

Thanks,
Ryan

Hi Ryan,
I use muck and potting mix. I create a wall with the muck. This will determine how the outer edge of the planting will look. I tried to make sure I didn't cover any of the more interesting features of the slab on the outer circumference. To get different heights I will put a mount of muck under the tree and make sure the roots are pushed down into the muck. After placing all the trees you can then fill with a good potting mix. I try to make sure that the surface has hills and hollows to create more interest to the ground. I hope this all makes sense.

Regards Ray

[cre8ivbonsai]

Thanks Ray, I knew about building the edges from muck, but I hadn't thought about using muck all the way under the trees (makes sense now ), and of course you can never see those structural elements on the finished compositions. Thanks for the tips

[Ray M]

Hi all,
I will have to withdraw this setting. I am struggling with time and quite a few commitments for the rest of the year. I still like the potential with this setting and intend to keep working on it when time permits.

Regards Ray

[Josh]

Hi all,
I will have to withdraw this setting. I am struggling with time and quite a few commitments for the rest of the year. I still like the potential with this setting and intend to keep working on it when time permits.

Regards Ray

That's a shame Ray but please keep updating as it will be I retesting to see this develop.

Josh.

[fredman]

Please excuse me asking but what exactly is meant by "muck"?
I'm a ex SAn now living in NZ. Not to certain about the terminology.

[Josh]

Please excuse me asking but what exactly is meant by "muck"?
I'm a ex SAn now living in NZ. Not to certain about the terminology.

Muck is usually made up of 50% clay and 50% cow poo although everyone seems to have their own secret recipe. It is used to create a wall or support for trees. On the slab it creates a wall to stop the potting mix washing away. When doing a root over root it can help hold roots to the rock. Hope that helps.

Josh.

[Ray M]

Please excuse me asking but what exactly is meant by "muck"?
I'm a ex SAn now living in NZ. Not to certain about the terminology.

Hi fredman,
The answer that Josh gave is how I make my muck. A caution about the cow manure, don't use fresh manure, it needs to be mature. I buy a bag of manure ready to go on the garden and put it into a plastic garbage bin with a lid. Just cover it with water, only just enough to cover it, and put the lid on. When I want to make a batch of muck, I remove what I need to make a batch and replace the lid.

Regards Ray

[fredman]

Thanks for that guys.

*enough of your mucking around Freddie. Off to the paddock...*

[Ray M]

Thanks for that guys.

*enough of your mucking around Freddie. Off to the paddock...*

Make sure it's not fresh.

[fredman]

I could only get fresh Ray. I've got it in a bucket and just covered it with rain water. Will let it swim till springtime. It should be unfresh and usable by then..... ?

[Ray M]

I could only get fresh Ray. I've got it in a bucket and just covered it with rain water. Will let it swim till springtime. It should be unfresh and usable by then..... ?

Hi fedman,
By then it should be fine. That will give it a couple of months to age.

Regards Ray

[fredman]

Thanks for that Ray

[Neli]

I make my muck by collecting some kind of short moss with a bit of soil under, and making it into pastry. Have plenty of manure but never new about this method. Going to try it now. Thanks.