Treeman at YVBS

[MJL]

Delighted to attend our monthly meeting at the Yarra Valley Bonsai Society tonight. Treeman was the guest presenter and he discussed the nuances of flowering quince. It's always a joy to listen to an expert in command of their topic and every time I hear Mike speak, I am impressed with the breadth of knowledge - both horticultural and bonsai related. An excellent night - I was too engrossed to take photos so you'll just have to believe me. I picked myself up a little Nanking Cherry with white flowers too.

[KIRKY]

Can you show us the Nanking Cherry. Would love to see one.
Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

Can you show us the Nanking Cherry. Would love to see one.
Cheers
Kirky

Hey Kirky,

I will - just interstate at the moment. Probably tomorrow or Friday. Don’t get too excited though ... it’s not advanced - that said, there is a lovely white flower adorning the little plant.

[MJL]

I am getting used to embarrassing myself on this forum.

Sooo... it turns out that while Mike was indeed selling Nanking Cherries - seems I mistakenly picked up a Fuji. I did not realise this until I took a photo for Kirky.

Oh well. I'll love this little tree too.

IMG_1008.jpg

IMG_1009.jpg

My apologies for the glow on the leaf - dark and rainy here in Melbourne, seems the phone was struggling with the contrast.

[KIRKY]

Could be worse Mark, at least its still a cherry nice little flower. Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am after some advice please.

I purchased this Fuji cherry some time back ... embarrassingly thought it was a Nanking Cherry ... anyway ... I am stuck on what direction to take this little tree.

I cut it back at the start of summer and it is flourishing, very healthy. But I am at a loss about what to do ... I think it wants to be a two level semi-cascade - which could look very cool or perhaps I use that curve in the upper trunk and has those lower branches shorter or even as leave sacrifice branches.

I’m a bit stumped.

While I am at it... when is next time to trim a cherry and will cuttings strike? I usually do ok with cuttings - but when I trimmed this last year they all failed.

Any advice welcome. Thanks in advance.




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[treeman]

You've left it a bit late to trim but if you do it now you might get some new shoots forming at the cuts. First you need to remove any new growth starting at the base of an older branch. (2 from one spot) I can see some in the pics. This is important and should be done as soon as you see them. Don't worry too much about styling. Just get it as healthy and bushy as possible and in winter you can wire it lightly to guide some branches. Remember to seal all cuts. Cherries always look best if they're not forced to do something they don't want to do.

[MJL]

Thanks Mike -here’s a few photos that show what I think I might do.

Below - take red branch off and maybe yellow?



Take red crossed branch off and top off! Effective start again with this two bottom branch because that straight bit others me



Or keep top and make a decision what to do at this junction where it’s getting ugly and reverse-tapering




Thoughts — and I know it’s difficult from photos.


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[KIRKY]

For me the reverse taper should go always. Thats not something that is fixable without carving, and I wound not carve a Cherry. I would also try and strike any cuttings you have nothing to lose.

Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

This little tree went nuts after I trimmed it back in Feb. Very healthy. I have now decided what I want to do ... the bottom part will be a nice little tree and so will the top. I am going to airlayer the top to remove the already ugly reverse taper and take advantage of the nice shape of the top too. I can picture two nice trees out of this. Is it dumb to try and airlayer now- should I wait for spring?




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[KIRKY]

Its too late to air layer now, it is going to start shutting down over winter so wont push roots to air layer. Better to wait.
Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

Its too late to air layer now, it is going to start shutting down over winter so wont push roots to air layer. Better to wait.
Cheers
Kirky

Noted, thanks Kirky.


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