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Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 5:40 pm
by MoGanic
Hey all!
My old man was 'trimming' back an old pomegranate tree we have, and he managed somehow to dislocate this whole branch from the tree

!
I cut a lot of the thick branch/truck off because it was too heavy to stay in the pot.
I'm hoping it survives!
Just wondering a few things, a. how can I possibly ensure it survives? (Please note this branch had ground layered somewhat and has quite a few roots, though very few fine ones) and b. where can I potentially go in terms of Bonsai?
Any suggestions/idea's welcome! (Bear in mind I'm a total amateur)

Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 6:49 pm
by MoGanic
Come on guys... no suggestions/advise at all?
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:10 pm
by Craig
definately plant your pomegranate back into the ground to grow a thick twisted pomegranate trunk. no 2 ways about it mate.

Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:27 pm
by MoGanic
Cheers mate.
Would I need to train it somewhat for it to twist?
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:32 pm
by thoglette
MoGanic wrote:
Just wondering a few things, a. how can I possibly ensure it survives? (Please note this branch had ground layered somewhat and has quite a few roots, though very few fine ones) and b. where can I potentially go in terms of Bonsai?
Well, I can only quote the classics
a) remove most of the leaves, provide plenty of soil and don't disturb it.
b) keep it from drying out but don't drown it. After care is everything. Wrap with plastic bag if needs be
As someone who regularly kills plants by trying to style before the plant has recovered, leave it alone for a year !
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:36 pm
by Craig
MoGanic wrote:Cheers mate.
Would I need to train it somewhat for it to twist?
No , they develop gnarly twisted trunks, just grow the shari out of it and ofcourse chop the trunk every few years to grow some nice taper along the way, that is once it takes roots

Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:37 pm
by MoGanic
thoglette wrote:MoGanic wrote:
Just wondering a few things, a. how can I possibly ensure it survives? (Please note this branch had ground layered somewhat and has quite a few roots, though very few fine ones) and b. where can I potentially go in terms of Bonsai?
Well, I can only quote the classics
a) remove most of the leaves, provide plenty of soil and don't disturb it.
b) keep it from drying out but don't drown it. After care is everything. Wrap with plastic bag if needs be
As someone who regularly kills plants by trying to style before the plant has recovered, leave it alone for a year !
Point A falls in line with Craig's point about replanting it in the ground and I think point B requires some well drained soil and regular watering!

Thanks for the advice guys! Once this baby has some good new growth I'll definitely start thinking about styling.
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 7:51 pm
by Paulneill
Hi mate
I would say it Depends on the amount of roots that were left on it . there is nothing much you can do apart from wait and see.
What did you pot it uP in ?. Looks very water logged in the picture .
If it is planted in potting mix I would think about putting it in something more suitable .
Winter is near here so it will not be taking up water much if any. That pot is very big and won't help the situation .
Water carefully . ! !
Ps . why not dig the main tree up come spring
Or even layer a nice part of it off .
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 8:21 pm
by MoGanic
Craig wrote:MoGanic wrote:Cheers mate.
Would I need to train it somewhat for it to twist?
No , they develop gnarly twisted trunks, just grow the shari out of it and ofcourse chop the trunk every few years to grow some nice taper along the way, that is once it takes roots

Oh wow! I'll definitely try my utmost to keep it alive, I think this one has plenty of potential

Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 8:24 pm
by MoGanic
Paulneill wrote:Hi mate
I would say it Depends on the amount of roots that were left on it . there is nothing much you can do apart from wait and see.
What did you pot it uP in ?. Looks very water logged in the picture .
If it is planted in potting mix I would think about putting it in something more suitable .
Winter is near here so it will not be taking up water much if any. That pot is very big and won't help the situation .
Water carefully . ! !
Ps . why not dig the main tree up come spring
Or even layer a nice part of it off .
I potted it in the same dirt it was in when grounded, added a teeny bit of rooting hormone and then topped it off with potting mix. When you say something more suitable, can you suggest anything? Oh and I only just watered it.
So to summarize, smaller pot? Better soil?
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 9:30 pm
by Paulneill
Soil from the garden and potting mix is the worst stuff you could put a tree in.
It's a sure way to suffocate the roots because it will hold too much water and hardy any air.
Roots need to breathe .
There are various inorganic materials more suited for potted plants.
Diatomite is a good one .
Zeoilight is another .
Pine bark is a good organic additive .
Do a search on these.
Read the( bonsai 4 me ) web site it is most informative for and covers almost everything.
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 7th, 2012, 10:13 pm
by MoGanic
Paulneill wrote:Soil from the garden and potting mix is the worst stuff you could put a tree in.
It's a sure way to suffocate the roots because it will hold too much water and hardy any air.
Roots need to breathe .
There are various inorganic materials more suited for potted plants.
Diatomite is a good one .
Zeoilight is another .
Pine bark is a good organic additive .
Do a search on these.
Read the( bonsai 4 me ) web site it is most informative for and covers almost everything.
ARH! I shall grab some asap! Thanks mate, appreciate it! Let's hope I dont murder my tree

Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 8th, 2012, 7:02 pm
by MoGanic
New soil and put it in a styro box! The soil is part diatomite and was made up by my local bonsai nursery. Is well airated too!
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 8th, 2012, 10:45 pm
by kcpoole
Nice work
Now keep moist but not wet and in part shade to recover till well into spring and growing hard.
Ken
Re: Pomegranate Rescue Service
Posted: May 9th, 2012, 6:16 am
by Diane
Interesting that pomegranate are considered for bonsai. What about the thorns? Do they get smaller? We have some pomegranate in the garden but they have wicked thorns...about 3 inches long!