Gardenia from garden

[JPG]

Hi all

I have a gardenia growing in the backyard which I'd like to make into a bonsai. We are currently looking for a new house so I'd like to dig it up some time soon. The plant was originally from my grandparents so I'd like to take it with me. Does anyone have any tips about digging up plants to ensure it survives. I have a fairly large pot to put it in.

This photo is from about a year ago, but overall it is pretty much the same. It is about 1m high but I'll probably cut at least the top third off.

[kcpoole]

I treat mine similar to azaleas, and be gentle on the roots.
When I dug them they have few roots but they are good now after a few years. Dig them and keep the roots intach as much as you can now ( especially in perth) and keep well watered, Semi shade.

Seasol is good too.
Repot adn root prune next year in cooler months

Ken

[JPG]

Thanks for the advice. Would you suggest cutting the top off before I dig it up, or would it be better to dig it up and take the top off at the same time?

[JPG]

Well, I took the plunge and have dug it up and chopped the top off. I've been giving it plenty of water and a good dose of SeaSol too.

Gardenia_Jan2014.jpg

Now to figure out what to do with it in terms of styling. I was thinking of repotting it in about a years time (give it some time to recover) on an angle so that the part that currently slants to the right (in the image above) is straight up (i.e. I would tilt it to the left a little). Any advice would be much appreciated.

[kcpoole]

Leave till next year, the repot with tilt to the left adn suggested
You will probably want to cut back harder then too.

Ken

[JPG]

This is kind of the look I was thinking.

rotated.jpg

[Boics]

Fair enough.
As Ken says I think you might want to cut it back a bit further though.
I'd be looking to chop lower for taper and a smaller tree.
From the pics it looks very large still and lacks taper on the major trunk.
I'd be looking to cut the major trunk and take the smaller fork to the left.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[JPG]

It's probably around 75cm high at the moment, the pot is about 20cm deep. I thought I'd let it recover a bit before I do any severe cutting.

When you say

I'd be looking to cut the major trunk and take the smaller fork to the left.

- do you mean cutting the main trunk where it bends to the right, just below where the two flowers are (i.e. the main branch to the left would effectively become the new major trunk)?

[Ray M]

Hi JPG,
Later when it's time to do some cutting back, what do you think of this idea. This would give more taper. You may even want to cut back further.

Gardenia-2.jpg

Regards Ray

[JPG]

Thanks Ray

As a novice, the one thing I find difficult is visualising what the tree should look like...in other words what direction to take it.

By taking off the large right hand branch, would that not unbalance it a bit?

One thing I noticed is that there are quite a few new shoots appearing just above the small branch at the bottom, below the rubber ties. It has sustained a lot of wipper-snipper damage over the years, but I kind of don't mind the look as it makes the trunk quite gnarled. What are your thoughts on taking it right back to somewhere below the rubber ties? Are gardenias robust enough to handle a severe trunk pruning like that? Obviously I would wait about a year for the tree to recover. The photo below shows the trunk detail.

gardenia trunk detail.jpg

[Ray M]

Thanks Ray

As a novice, the one thing I find difficult is visualising what the tree should look like...in other words what direction to take it.

By taking off the large right hand branch, would that not unbalance it a bit? At this stag you would be looking for where you can get some taper. That was the reason behind my suggestion. New shoots will appear and you would use those to create new branching.

One thing I noticed is that there are quite a few new shoots appearing just above the small branch at the bottom, below the rubber ties. It has sustained a lot of wipper-snipper damage over the years, but I kind of don't mind the look as it makes the trunk quite gnarled. What are your thoughts on taking it right back to somewhere below the rubber ties? That would certainly work. I would let the new shoots mature somewhat before making that cut. Are gardenias robust enough to handle a severe trunk pruning like that? Obviously I would wait about a year for the tree to recover. Are you saying you would wait a year before making the cut previously mentioned? That would be very wise. It's good to see that you are looking at the tree with a patient attitude. If you approach it's development this way you should end up with a good tree. The photo below shows the trunk detail.

gardenia trunk detail.jpg

Regards Ray

[superman7]

I noticed is that there are quite a few new shoots appearing just above the small branch at the bottom, below the rubber ties. It has sustained a lot of wipper-nipper damage over the years, but I kind of don't mind the look as it makes the trunk quite gnarled. What are your thoughts on taking it right back to somewhere below the rubber ties? Are gardenias robust enough to handle a severe trunk pruning like that? Obviously I would wait about a year for the tree to recover. The photo below shows the trunk detail.

[JPG]

Thanks for the comments Ray. I'll see what it looks like in 12 months time...hopefully it survives and the dog doesn't eat it - she has a habit of chewing branches.

Superman7 - did you mean to add a reply?