beating the humidity- growing deciduous in the tropics

[chrisatrocky]

Jamie, up here in Rockhampton we grow tridents and japanese maples, not with the success they do down south, but they are healthy. We do have he trouble with leaf burn in the summer, however as Rod suggested 50% shade cloth would fix that. The humidity, just keep around the tree decluttered, so there is a good air flow around the tree. also it may help if you defoiliate in mid summer or at least thin the leaves to help with air flow.

chris

[Mitchell]

[
as for putting the tree in a fridge my be a bit far

Jamie

Tis' far, but many around the globe go to the extent. A few shohin maples in the firdge, behind the beer, no problems mate! Just need to watch you don't snap a few branches off, after a couple of beers.

[astroboy76]

jamie,

i think if you are that passionate about your bonsai and having some deciduous trees why not spend the time to make a glass house that will allow the sunlight in (you can partially shade it from arvo sun with shade clither too). buy a cheap air conditioner and make a room completely controlled in regards to light and temp. May cost a bit but you will be able to get all the deciduous plants you want and it will be pleasant to sit in the greenhouse and work on them....justa thought! hehe

[Jamie]

gday guys

thanks for all the info! it does seem that shade cloth and some protection is al that is needed, it might just be me looking at them the wrong way

will just have to give it another crack!

thanks astro I dont think the missus would be to happy if i put an air conditioner into a glass house that was built for trees just to have those trees!

I know we can grow some deciduous species here, elm, celtis and a few others go great guns, with maple I have always had a soft spot but gave up on them a while ago. Normally i am quite happy with the trees that thrive up here, and had pretty much accepted that is what we can have and the plus side is the growth rates. its the old problem of wanting what we cant have

cheers for the tips guys

[Taffy]

I forgot you had those maples taff, I love the smaller one although I think it could look better in a shallow oval pot . I think this would highlight its feminine look. Jamie you may not have to go to all that trouble ,the answer may be 50% shade cloth.
Cheers Rod....

Totally agree Rod. It does have a feminine appearance - and I have just the pot to put it in. I put it in that larger pot last year to put some more energy into the tree and encourage the roots to spread out further. It also needs to be reduced in height, which will most likely happen some time this year. This one really is special to me because of what it's been through over the years.

As I said, I got it from a nursery in Darwin in 1990. It was a rooted cutting not much thicker than a matchstick about 3 inches high. It had two tiny twigs at the top with two leaves on each one. I was 'advised' by a few that I'd have to keep it under shade because it wouldn't grow in Darwin. I did, and within a week, all four leaves dropped off. So, I thought 'well, it's got two choices - it either lives or dies' and I put it out in full sun. Surprise surprise, within about 2 weeks it started shooting again.

I carried in in my trailer from Darwin to Sydney when I got posted back there a year or so later. Because of the particular job I was doing at that time in the RAAF, I didn't have much time to work on my trees, so for quite a few years, it was virtually just watering and minimal work done.

When we retired and moved up here, once again it did the trip in the trailer - one well travelled Maple! It's only since being here that I've really started to develop it - hey, I even talk to it when I'm watering or working on it!

[kvan64]

Jamie, I think it will be a bit hard (even for the pro. Red Dragon bonsai and Australian bonsai growers have a few display tridents and japanese maples that got really bad leaf burns every summer) but I also think it's possible as long as you can mimic the right condition, most likely keeping your deciduous in cool and shady areas in summer times.
I successfully grow some taiwanese maples, japanese maples, Trident maples and Amur Flame maples here in Brisbane to some degree. I have to admit that it is hard to avoid leaf burn on my tridents on a hot day, my other maples seem to be doing quite well.

My conclusion is: possible!

[Glenda]

......I got it from a nursery in Darwin in 1990. It was a rooted cutting not much thicker than a matchstick about 3 inches high. It had two tiny twigs at the top with two leaves on each one. I was 'advised' by a few that I'd have to keep it under shade because it wouldn't grow in Darwin. I did, and within a week, all four leaves dropped off. So, I thought 'well, it's got two choices - it either lives or dies' and I put it out in full sun. Surprise surprise, within about 2 weeks it started shooting again..........:

If it will grow in Darwin, it will grow in Harvey Bay, Jamie! And in Mackay too!

Glenda