Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 50
- Joined: August 29th, 2013, 6:53 pm
- Favorite Species: Eucalypts
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 39 times
- Been thanked: 20 times
Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Hi, has anyone had a corky growth on the roots of their plants? The growth does seem to surface and can be broken off easily. Have only seen this on two eucalypts. Need to know if it’s something I need to be concerned about. The growth of both my gums has been slow, wondering if it’s related. Appreciate your help.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 7883
- Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
- Favorite Species: trident maple
- Bonsai Age: 41
- Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
- Location: Yackandandah
- Has thanked: 78 times
- Been thanked: 1597 times
- Contact:
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Not something I can recall seeing before. Hope someone else knows what it might be and whether there's cause to worry.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Promethius
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 267
- Joined: August 15th, 2021, 10:56 am
- Favorite Species: Anything I’ve not managed to kill yet
- Bonsai Age: 5
- Bonsai Club: BSV
- Location: Melbourne
- Has thanked: 820 times
- Been thanked: 145 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Is it definitely part of the roots? Just wondering if it’s a fungal / mushroom species. It’s the right time of year.
Yes, the username is misspelled: no, I can’t change it.
Andy
Andy
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 448
- Joined: March 17th, 2016, 6:10 am
- Favorite Species: Maple
- Bonsai Age: 15
- Location: Melbourne
- Has thanked: 33 times
- Been thanked: 65 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
I had a similar issue with a rose bush and it wasn't doing very well. I don't know what was happening untill I lifted it to repot. The top section of the pot was nearly 30% covered by this wired cancerous looking corky growth. It was attached to the main root/stem. I just cut it off completely and since then that rose has progressed really well. Suspect is some sort of bug and when I cut it off the bug went with it.
Newbie
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 50
- Joined: August 29th, 2013, 6:53 pm
- Favorite Species: Eucalypts
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 39 times
- Been thanked: 20 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
It’s definitely attached to the roots. Here’s what it looked like on the last repot. Breaks off quite easily. Will follow your advice and remove it all this summer when plant is due to be repotted. No signs of any bugs, but will take your advice. Thank you.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 2260
- Joined: April 26th, 2010, 11:47 pm
- Favorite Species: Maple
- Bonsai Age: 0
- Bonsai Club: CBS
- Location: Canberra
- Has thanked: 534 times
- Been thanked: 265 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Is it anything to do with nematode worms? I get something similar on crab apples.
Gavin
Gavin
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 50
- Joined: August 29th, 2013, 6:53 pm
- Favorite Species: Eucalypts
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 39 times
- Been thanked: 20 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Thanks Gavin, I think you could be onto something there. Here's hoping the plants can hang on till summer when they're due for a repot.
- Redsonic
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 452
- Joined: June 18th, 2015, 12:49 pm
- Favorite Species: Ficus, Casuarina
- Bonsai Age: 5
- Bonsai Club: Redlands
- Location: Brisbane
- Has thanked: 86 times
- Been thanked: 70 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
I posted a similar issue on a Casuarina here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=29015
It was thought by the Ausbonsai brains trust to be a symbiotic bacteria (Frankia). They are supposed to benefit the plant by supplying nitrogen, although my Casuarina wasn't looking too healthy.
Here is a photo I posted in the link above:

It was thought by the Ausbonsai brains trust to be a symbiotic bacteria (Frankia). They are supposed to benefit the plant by supplying nitrogen, although my Casuarina wasn't looking too healthy.
Here is a photo I posted in the link above:
-
- Aussie Bonsai Fan
- Posts: 50
- Joined: August 29th, 2013, 6:53 pm
- Favorite Species: Eucalypts
- Location: Sydney
- Has thanked: 39 times
- Been thanked: 20 times
Re: Cork-like root growth on Eucalypts
Thanks Redsonic. Now I fear removing it. I have it on two 5 year old gums, an E. blakelyi and an E. preissiana. I will wholly remove it on the preissiana and see how it recovers before I attempt it on the blakelyi.
Appreciate your help!
Appreciate your help!