Energy Flow

Share your success stories about defoliation, bare rooting and anything else relating to maintaining healthy bonsai.
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dibly_w
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Energy Flow

Post by dibly_w »

Hey guys ,
A question in regards to energy flow through a tree.
I collected a large swamp cypress recently . Since spring has kicked in the growth has gone nuts .
However the highest branch seems to be struggling a bit . Its new growth has burnt tips that dry off .
Would the new suckers that are shooting off the trunk below the branch encourage more energy to be drawn up the trunk or hinder the energy getting to the upper branches ?
I dont need any of the new shoots since my aim is a large flat top .
Thanks
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by Daluke »

I think it would zap energy from the rest of the tree.

But leaving suckers might improve the nebari.
sheepdawg
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by sheepdawg »

that's weird because swampies are very apically dominant. Are you keeping it in a tray/pot of water?
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by KIRKY »

Sucker can easily stress a main tree trunk in some cases even kill the main tree. If you don't need them remove them.
If you are keeping for the nebari thin the suckers out. Also if you want the growth to go to the top shorten side shoots.
Cheers
Kirky
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
dibly_w
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by dibly_w »

Cheers guys ,
Its definitely not a water issue .
They arent needed for nebari , I was just in 2 mind sets . Wether the new side shoots help the apex shoots . Im guessing they dont and do limit the supply to the apex .
Ill get rid of them and see how it goes .
After the foliage burns off they create new buds so perhaps its a way the swampy develops new branches but I have not seen it before on any of my others .
Only other thing I could think of is perhaps that side of the the tree is lacking the feeder roots in comparison to the other side from collection .
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by CraigM »

I recently collected some hawthorns and they started budding everywhere. After a couple weeks I moved them alongside the rest of my trees, after a while I noticed that the tips of the new growth was drying it. Put it down to the drying winds in Melbourne, delicate leaves or perhaps the tree not having sufficient roots to support the new growth. Have moved to a more sheltered location and the new growth seems fine. Wonder if this could have been the same cause in your instance?

My thoughts around the additional growth, it helps stimulate new roots, so cannot do any harm to help the tree settle.
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Re: Energy Flow

Post by KIRKY »

My apologies, I thought the shoots were from the base. These side shoots from the trunk will not harm the tree at all.
Seasol every week when watering. How long ago was it collected? Deceduous trees have a lot of stored energy so when Spring comes they use this to push new growth. Pending on root supply this growth can be slow to develop or weak due to limited root supply. Put it back in a sheltered spot and Seasol. If it was collected more than 8-10 weeks ago half strength liquid feed Power feed etc.. Fortnightly. Once growth hardens off then you can move to a sunnier position. Sit in a tray with water and seasol.
Cheers
Kirky
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