AusBonsai

Interesting Post,

I wish I had a clear answer for you, however if I were to guess would imagine it has to be related to the root system on the two tree, clearly the tree which has bounced back has had sufficient energy stored in the roots to push hard new foliage to pop, where as the tree that has not bounced back so well has lacked the stored energy and therefore recovery has not been as dramatic.

Now the question becomes is the difference in root mass itself? if so what is the difference and what caused the difference? soil conditions? or was the stored energy in the roots a reflection of the treatment of the tree prior to the defoliating.

I think this presents an ideal opportunity here to do some serious investigations on the circumstances around both tree and learn from this. I would imagine the it would be desirable for both trees to perform like the tree on the right, I would think that a tree that reacted like this would develop a lot quicker than the other.

cheers,

Jeff

How long was it in its original bonsai pot before it was transferred to the colander? How much root mass was taken off at re-potting stage? At what time was it re-potted, if at all? And was it root pruned and re-potted before being slip-potted?

Sounds like a lot of questions, but I know where Im going with this..

hi all thanks for all the responces ..tree i cannot remember if it was root pruned in the winter or not i would say yes as i did all my trees if i remember i had another maple blow out of the pot hence why these are all now wired in .Both are in the same mix .

I would suggest that too much root mass was taken off at repotting or if the tree was not root pruned at all at the repotting in winter, you would have the same result. The tree cannot draw up enough water or fertiliser until the root mass improves, probably no real growth results until next season.

Slip-potting the tree would not improve growing results if the above was the actual situation with the root mass. Another contributing factor would be where the tree was positioned at the start of spring and throughout the growing season. Too much protection from the elements, not enough protection, exposure to wind. Not enough fertiliser etc etc. The list is endless.