Resurrecting Lazarus, the Maple

[Grizzly]

Hello Everyone,

I've just posted an intro in the Bonsai Cafe Site (you know the one, with the lottery ticket for a Penny Davis Bonsai Pot!)
Following from that I would really appreciate some advise on tackling my current challenges, my maple and pine (seperate posting).

My maple Bonsai purchased in 2005 somehow survived being fried in a car, left there by the person delivering it back from the Bonsai sitter. Then it somehow managed through the onslaught of heat we had during the Black Saturday fire/s.

The tree seemed dead for an eternity but eventually, it starting shooting out from the bottom half of the trunk. I clipped back a few branches that I thought were really too long but that's all I've done. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Here's the before & after shots:

Bonsai 02 and Ketchy.jpg

Bonsai 02 Front 30-10-2010.JPG

Bonsai 02 RHS 30-10-2010.JPG

Bonsai 02 Back 30-10-2010.JPG

Bonsai 02 Old Trunk 30-10-2010.JPG

[bonscythe]

Hi Grizzly,
Can you tell us more about the one known as Ketchy?

[Grizzly]

Sure happy to but in keeping with etiquette, I've posted it in the non-Bonsai section titled 'Hot bird with the Bonsai'
Regards,

Grizzly

(editted to cross reference to new post)

[LLK]

Cut back that trunk to just above the uppermost new shoot, and seal the wound thoroughly. Your maple should get the most beautiful taper in a matter of 5 + years!! The new branches have huge internodes and in due course should be cut back too, but maybe it's better to give this resurrected tree a year of free growth. It looks like it hasn't been repotted since 2006, but it's too late in the season to do that now. You could slip pot it into a large pot, though, and do a proper repotting next Spring before bud burst. In the meantime, water and fertilise normally.
Good luck!

Lisa

[whereswally007]

i agree you need to cut it back more but it looks like its recovering well

[Grizzly]

Thanks ever so much for your feedback.

I had thought of putting it into a larger pot and letting it recover however thought it best to throw the scenario out for suggestions before doing anything.

I spent most of today at Bunnings window shopping & topped up on some garden supplies. Tomorrow morning both Lazarus (maple) and the juniper which also suffered badly. will be put in larger pots and 'retreated' for 1-2 years where, they may rest and recover.

My initial thought was to remove it from the Bonsai pot altogether without combing the roots to minimise shock, but allow more movement of food & moisture to the plant?

Grizzly.

[Grizzly]

Thanks for the guidance Lisa.

I have Steri-Prune, as a spray. Would that suffice?

Also, could someone please explain the logic behind potting the Maple intact with the Bonsai pot?
Won't that make it harder to prune the roots later, let alone trying to remove the pot?

Cheers!

[LLK]

No, don't slip pot the maple intact with the bonai pot. Take it out of the pot and put it in a bigger one,
say with about 5 cm (2") of fresh potting mix around it on all sides. Don't worry about the roots not getting pruned, it doesn't matter for one growing season, and don't forget that plants get nutrition through their leaves..... which is why I recommended not pruning this tree. A spray isn't ideal for sealing a deciduous tree. You can use beeswax or Aquadhere for outdoor use; I've also used silicone wax and acrylic paint. Don't overdo the fertilising and the watering, keep the plant moist and give it some Osmocote now and then, every 6 - 8 weeks or so. Keep the tree in half- or dappled shade.

Lisa

[Grizzly]

I do have beeswax. As for the re-potting, I misread your previous post. Duh.
(Take a breath and re-read slowly)

Thanks Lisa, you're a legend.



Armed to the teeth, she sneaks into the garden.... that demented, overzealous bear.