AusBonsai

Grant, I'm sure that you remember those serrisas that I showed you that had been totally gnarled by some critter. We discussed the irony of the plants name foetida (foul smelling) and that the critters weren't too choosy.
The sweetness of the emerging fruit tree buds are tasty morsels by comparison.
Cheers
Lindsay

hi Leigh,

thanks for the great tip, the rotbound mass measures roughly 350mm x 500mm x 200mm deep so guessed a good hour for a tree in need wasn't too much, and i always do it in the shade

thanks again mate

lindsay farr wrote:Grant, I'm sure that you remember those serrisas that I showed you that had been totally gnarled by some critter. We discussed the irony of the plants name foetida (foul smelling) and that the critters weren't too choosy.
The sweetness of the emerging fruit tree buds are tasty morsels by comparison.
Cheers
Lindsay

Hi Lindsay,

Yes thanks for reminding me. We have only had one instance of a tree being lightly nibbled by a possum and we quickly plugged every possible access point for them and have never had a problem again. No problems from rats or mice either.

One visitor whose wife is a possum specialist said that their teeth are filthy and carry lots of disease with them that can harm plants; so best to be as careful as possible.

We will soon be purchasing an ultra sonic device to keep the possums off the mesh roof and out of the tree in our courtyard as they do make a mess with droppings and half eaten pears from our Pyrus calleryana.

Grant

That's an interesting observation from your possum specialist. I have long considered that possums are major spreaders of plant viruses. For instance, If a rogue possum takes a liking to a particular variety, that variety is likely to become diseased. I always thought that it was to do with their oral hygiene. That's the first time that I've heard unison on it though.
Cheers
Lindsay

By the way, we will be visiting those blokes who were connected with Ian Edwards this evening. I'll try to gather more info.

lindsay farr wrote:That's an interesting observation from your possum specialist. I have long considered that possums are major spreaders of plant viruses. For instance, If a rogue possum takes a liking to a particular variety, that variety is likely to become diseased. I always thought that it was to do with their oral hygiene. That's the first time that I've heard unison on it though.
Cheers
Lindsay

By the way, we will be visiting those blokes who were connected with Ian Edwards this evening. I'll try to gather more info.

Great, Thanks.

The possum lady is the wife of a long term Bonsai afficienado so I will see if I can get more info.

Grant