Johannes wrote:Wow that bonsai is the closest to the real tree that i have ever seen. Good job
Thanks Johan!
I have been taking inspiration form the big, old River Reds in my area. There's still a long way to go, but it's beginning to resemble Bonsai.
Brian wrote:Wiring eucalyptus is very touchy. You could experience branch die back. Interesting material for bonsai and a nice gnarled trunk.
Thanks Brian!
I've heard it said that wiring Eucs can be a risky exercise, but never experienced an issue with this particular specimen in 15 or so years. In this case, I half suspect that the finer branch tips are already compromised and expect them to die back to some degree.
GavinG wrote:I'm curious about the roots - are you expecting to see growing roots at this time of year? When do RR roots grow? and stop growing? Does it matter for root pruning?
Gday Gavin, and thanks!
You may recall from your visit that many of my River Reds in training pots were growing strongly in mid-Winter - and they continue to do so. As far as I can gather, when the top of a Euc is growing, the roots tend to be growing, and vice versa. I believe I've postulated here that Eucs - at least the ones I've played with -
can grow year round in my climate, given correct soil conditions and watering. Of course, there are optimum growing times during the warmer parts of the year.
The Koreshoffs (used to(?)) advocate that Eucs should only ever be re-potted when they appear to be dormant. So - except for the time of year - this recent re-pot/root-prune was done "by the book", as there were no sign of active growth, to the point of drying/wilting foliage. That said, I have successfully worked many of my River Reds' roots while they were growing strongly. I don't know that I can discern an ideal timing for root-pruning my River Reds, except to say that I would avoid doing any major root work too late in Autumn.
Sno wrote:When I use fresh attapulgite after I sieve it I lay it out on some old fly screen and hose it. A percentage melts straight away (different for each bag).What is left is a lot more stable. Do you use attapuglite straight or mix it with other stuff?
Gday Sno!
Great idea! I've often thought about doing this, but in the heat of the moment - when my tree is out of its pot and threatening to dry out I have always bypassed that option. I'll wash my kitty litter next time.
At the moment, attapulgite makes up perhaps 30-40% of my mix, which is more than enough to clog my mix if/when it breaks down. Other components are sifted basalt (bluestone, blue metal), sifted potting mix and sifted granite sand in ever-evolving proportions.
Thanks again folks, and I hope to report back soon!
FlyBri.
