Hard to find Nyssa

[squizzy]

Hi all,

I have been trying for ages to find some good examples of Nyssa as bonsai but dont seem to have any luck.

I feel this would be a great subject for bonsai as it has quite contorted branching, reasonable leaf size and brilliant autumn colour. I have attached a few photos of one that I have satrted from some nursery stock but would love to hear if anyone else has tried this species or has an opinion on its suitability.

My tree is naked at the moment but I feel I have a reasonable start with the branch structure.

iphone240512 023.jpg

Cheers.

Squizz

[Roger]

Hi Squizz
I can't help with info on nyssa silvatica (black tupelo) as bonsai at this stage. The National Collection has a couple as part of its young 'Arboretum in Miniature' project. It's early days, and all I know at this stage is that it has reponded well to both pruning tops and roots. We must keep in touch as we learn more.

[PeterH]

Squizz,

I have had this setting for about 14 years. Hard to reduce leaf size and the left hand tree I find is not getting the ramification as much as the other trees. I do try to defoliate at least once duing the season. Like all of that variety it takes many defoliations to reduce leaf size. Its not one I send a lot of time on.

Peter

[Matthew]

thats impressive peter i like this setting alot

[Roger]

Lovely trees Peter. Makes me wonder what they'd look like if you tried hard!

[craigw60]

Thats very impressive Peter. I have one here growing as a garden tree and it's so hard to imagine making a bonsai from it the leaves are so large as are the internode spacings. I know they love wet feet and are up there with Oxydendrum as far as autumn colour is concerned.
You have inspired me to give them a go. thanks
Craigw

[squizzy]

Thanks for posting those pics peter

They look great if you ask me. I am more keen now to really give this species a go and by the looks of it you have inspired a few others.

When this group is at its peak autumn colour it must be spectacular as the colours I see here in sydney are brilliant and probably the best for a deciduos species.

How have you found them to respond to rootpruning and re potting as I am likely to pot this up early spring into a training pot.

I see craig has mentioned the wet feet thing so is a moisture retentive mix a good idea?

Cheers for all the posts.

squizz

[PeterH]

Squizz,

I haven’t had any issues with root pruning. I treat it the same as all my deciduous, repotting at bud swell in spring. I have reduced the root ball gradually over the years to fit it into its current pot.
I use a common mix though all my trees(after the AABC, pines will change) which is 4 parts richgro aus native potting mix and 1 part Zeolite. I keep it in semi shade and water twice a day during growing seasons and once a day during the dormant seasons.

Roger,

As you know I spend more time on my trees than I care to admit. Which is still not enough. Due to my commitment to displays in 2013 I will be busier than usual over the winter months.


Peter

[Gumnuts]

Squizzy

I know I saw a big one at Padre Pio nursery in Annangrove recently.
It had quite a decent trunk on it.

cheers

[squizzy]

Thanks all for the advice

Squizz

[dennismc]

nys.doc

Hi all

I just found an old photo of my Nyssa, then I read this post. So I thought I might post it. It is approximately a metre tall.


Nyssa are easy to grow but as others have said do take time to reduce leaf size and to develop ramification.

[kcpoole]

do you have any recent pics Dennis?
Nice colour in that one

Ken

[squizzy]

Here is an update on this tree. I think I would be happy to try more of this species. There has been a possum passing by the bench and giving this tree a bit of tip prunning and by chance it seems to respond well to this. I think if I was to put some effort into this species it would pay well. Lets see how I colour up this autumn. It certainly doesnt suffer the leaf burn that the maples get. The leaves have probably reduced by about 50%.

P1300006.jpg

Squizz