Flowering Plum - Emergency Repot Bl**dy Possums!

[Scott Martin]

This flowering plum was from an air layer done back in 2011 and it was put into this pot in September 2013. It's a nice tree and I think the pot I chose was a little too small for it but at the time of choosing the tree was much smaller. It's really had a good growing season since repotting.

Anyway, the stinking possums seem to love this tree and knocking it off the bench. They leave all other trees including my flowering/fruiting species but this one gets hammered.

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I do keep this one tied down but sometimes that just make the possums work that little bit harder.

So yesterday morning I went to water the trees and found this!

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So I removed the tree from the pot and the rootball has stayed in one solid piece. I left the original tie down wire on the rootball to help keep it undisturbed. Then found a larger pot and tied it in.

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They managed to snap another branch off the apex this time so I had to do a little wiring too.

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Here it is safe and sound. It'll spend about a week in the workshop recovering and then back to face the onslaught from my midnight neighbours!

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[cre8ivbonsai]

Hi Scott

Plum's looking good despite it's knocks. At least the new pot looks a lot more sure footed and harder to topple.

My problem would be keeping the new spag moss atop the native Minors love the stuff

To deter the possums, I've successfully hung camphor wardrobe sticks (moth deterant) - seems to work, and in our WGC mag someone suggested the Phenyl based bin cleaner left in buckets hanging around yard entry points (our just around the plum ).

Cheers,
Ryan

[Elmar]

G'day Scott,
Must admit I didn't think the old pot suited this tree, I've no experience I. Picking pots for trees so I'm a bit surprised that I thought an oval pot would suit it better. Again, I'm new to this art! Please take that opinion with a shovel of salt...

I do line the idea of flowering fruit trees, tho. I'm hoping to get something like a flowering cherry tree one of these days - live the flowers and if the tree looks good then, for me, it's a combination that can't loose!
All the best in your trees recovery.


Cheers
EZ
Via Tapatalk

[Scott Martin]

Thanks Ryan. Good advice. I was thinking of getting my shooting licence but the moth balls might be a little less messy and quieter.

EZ, the reason I chose the round pot was when it flowered it looked beautiful on a nice round stand that I have that's deep red in colour. So the dark bark, the light pink flowers, light cream pot and the round red stand all looked beautiful together. That said, an oval pot would look nice too, just wouldn't go with my stand. And I appreciate your opinion too, no need for a shovel of salt. That's the cool thing about bonsai, it's all about personal taste.

Scott

[Elmar]

Do you have a picture of that scenario? Sounds fantastic


Cheers
EZ
Via Tapatalk

[EdwardH]

Good looking tree. I prefer it in its new pot.

Those possums certainly know how to make a clean break down the middle of a pot. Perhaps you should train 'em to crack eggs for breakfast

[Stu_my]

nice looking tree mate

[siddhar]

and in our WGC mag someone suggested the Phenyl based bin cleaner left in buckets hanging around yard entry points (our just around the plum ).

I would steer well clear of that option. That stuff stinks to high heaven and you'd know it if you poured some in a bin let alone hang buckets of the stuff around the house. I can see how this would deter possums, and you'd probably find it would deter yourself from spending time watering your bonsai. Try it in your bin and soon you'll be deterring anything and everything from coming anywhere near your house!

[Scott Martin]

EZ I'm not sure if I have a photo. I'll have a look over he weekend though.

Thanks Stu.

EdwardH, I might see if they're available to cook me breaky on Sunday! Probably burn my toast!!

Siddhar, might stink but it will remind me of my nana...

[Boics]

Nice tree mate.

I like this one and it's not such a common species.
Does it actually fruit? I presume so if it's the actual tree I'm familiar with.

[Scott Martin]

Boics it does fruit. I kept 1 on this year and was about the size of a 50cent piece. Normally I knock them all off to save the stress on the tree.

It's a Prunus cerasifera. I love the age the bark gets. Very roughed compared to the dainty flowers.