pink diosma

[matty-j]

hey everyone

so yesterday i got this pink diosma for $5
so i removed 2/3 of the roots the pot was full of root
the bonsai pot its now in is full of root i could barely fit it in the pot
i removed a lot of the foliage on thursday arvo and potted it up
and tonight i gave it a wire
i dont have high expectations for the tree
but i was itching to wire and put something into a nicer pot
not a plastic or styro training pot
i know this is just a stick in a pot but i suppose we all start with one
anyway what do you think any advice is welcome
hope you enjoy
i hope it survives haha

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[Bretts]

They can work great as bonsai. I am still unsure of thier care. I know they dislike being cut back hard and are not easily transplanted. But if you can work that stuff out one I had but gave away was going great.

[kcpoole]

the only one i tried died after being collected and cut back hard so will be interesting to see how you go with this one.

Ken

[Pup]

Here is one that was on show last weekend at BS of WA show.

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This is not mine, but the guy that owns it has had it for 10 years.Says they do not like to dry out, he had one better that this and it died though one missed watering in summer.

Cheers Pup

[matty-j]

They can work great as bonsai. I am still unsure of thier care. I know they dislike being cut back hard and are not easily transplanted. But if you can work that stuff out one I had but gave away was going great.

hey bretts thanks for the reply, maybe i shouldn't have cut back so hard

the only one i tried died after being collected and cut back hard so will be interesting to see how you go with this one.

Ken

ill keep you posted ken

Here is one that was on show last weekend at BS of WA show.

P1150409.JPG

This is not mine, but the guy that owns it has had it for 10 years.Says they do not like to dry out, he had one better that this and it died though one missed watering in summer.

Cheers Pup

thanks for the photo and heads up on watering pup much appreciated

i find the cutting back hard and drying out interesting because i was under the impression that this type of tree was very very hardy
it even says "MIGHTY TUFF" on the label
i remember hearing someone talk about a diosma hedge that they hacked right back and it bounced back fine
good to know tho thanks for the heads up guys ill post my progress.............. if there is any

[Pup]

In the GROUND is always different than a pot. When they write the growing and care sheets, there is no thought given to Bonsai.

Cheers Pup

[Bretts]

We have several in the ground. One was cut back hard and sulked for a year or two. After this we wanted to reduce a couple in the front yard dramatically. Gave it another try and they both died.
But they work very well with lighter hedge trimming.
I don't see much of a problem whith what you have removed on yours

[LLK]

From my experience it's not just a question of cutting back hard, but HOW the diosma is cut back. I have several big ones in my back yard, both green and golden, which I prune in a ball shape. See below. Once a so-called 'experienced gardener' cut them back hard straight across and they took 3 years to grow back normally. In summary: these shrubs are laterally dominant and one has to be careful always to prune the top lightly. If one lets them grow out, it's easy enough to see where the new growth is strongest and where it's weakest. That should give a good inndication.

Lisa

[dandybonsai]

They can be totally pruned of all leave's,as long as you keep the water up to them.

I have a nice trunk on one,that I will hope to try wiring soon.

I gave same insight to this plant when I started on here,i reduced height in ground 50% let grow for 6 months than dug up and root pruned around 50-60% of root ball.
I watered with seasol while it was getting the root trim,than reduced the upper branching to a leafless state.

It has had 6 months of growth now and is nearing another reduction,it back buds on branches and trunks so new branches can be handy with this plant.
Some of the cuts on branches do have some die back so cutting above wanted areas is wise.

I may ask/ see if someone can give some idea's on style.(will post a photo on weekend in this thread,but will start a new thread on this Pink Diosma)

I'm hopeing to have some frame work of a prebonsai shape by Christmas next year to put into a Bonsai Pot the year after next year.

Hopefully in 4-5 years get it looking the part.

I have spotted another nice one in my Estate may knock on door of owner to see wether they would like it removed.