AusBonsai

Hi All, Just wondering when would be the best time of year to collect peppercorn trees from near Echuca. My cousin has several large (huge) trees on his farm. Underneath them are dozens of suckers/seedlings. They range in size from 20mm thick to over 300mm (the trees themselves are over 2mtrs at the base). I had a poke around today to see how hard they would be to dig. Well apparently not that hard as there is now 2 in the trailer to go home with me
There is a heap of leaf litter under the tees which makes the top 20cm very soft. There were lots of finer roots in this stuff. Below that the ground was like rock and only the tap root went down. Most of the trees have been cut off near ground level and re shot, just what bonsai growers like
Here is a diagram of how they are growing There are several dozen trees under there to dig. I'm thinking about going out in the morning and digging a couple more to see how they go. What do people think . I have looked through threads on here but seems no real solid info on when to dig. Hard with info coming from interstate. Also would the soft stuff around the top be worth potting them up in when dug as the smaller roots seem to like it
Most of these trees are about 10 ft high. They have been cut off near ground level and re shot as shown in the diagram. There are no leaves down low so I am trunk chopping when digging. Will they handle this Should I go over and chop the rest to get them re shooting for the next dig

I also have a couple of questions for longer term growing.
1. How do you mange the rot in the trunks as they are suseptible to it.
2. When is it best to root prune them
3. When is best to repot.
4. have much can you root prune them.
5. do they handle wiring.
6. What fert do you use on them.
7. I read they like reasonable amounts of water. It is bone dry in Echuca. How much do you water.
8. Any other info welcome.

I will post pictures tomorrow as it was dark when I got home.

Josh

Hi Kidsandall,

I am trunk chopping when digging. Will they handle this

haven't you answered your own question aready?

Most of the trees have been cut off near ground level and re shot, just what bonsai growers like

These are pretty tough plants so I'd expect they will transplant ok now and probably most of the year.
Manage rot like all other species - seal cuts to prevent rot. If rot is already present cut back to solid wood then seal. Rot is mostly fungal so maybe a fungicide would also help?

I have not grown peppercorn but I know they are tough. Should be able to rootprune quite hard. I'd root prune and repot in spring but I would also experiment with summer repotting like natives as these have similar preferences and growth cycle.
Anything can be wired. I seem to remember the shoots are vey flexible.
Watering depends on the mix. Peppercorn is tough and can survive drought but will grow better with regular water.

Also would the soft stuff around the top be worth potting them up in when dug as the smaller roots seem to like it

They might grow ok in this but all potted plants grow best in good potting mix. You can wrap the roots in anything damp for a few days for transport but I would pot into your favorite mix when possible.

Best of luck with your new (smelly, yuk) trees

Thanks for the comments Shubui

shibui wrote:Hi Kidsandall,

I am trunk chopping when digging. Will they handle this

haven't you answered your own question aready?
Just cause I'm doing it doesn't mean it will work
I didn't get back out there today so they'll have to wait till next time.
The new tool I mentioned here viewtopic.php?f=20&t=7679 I found to be incredibly handy. I dug a trench around the outside then chipped out underneath with it. Because of the weight of the handle I could then use it to cut the tap root. Easier than trying to get under it with a saw.
Here is a couple of phots of the ones I collected Now I just have to get them to grow

Josh

Josh, The answer you already gave was:

Most of the trees have been cut off near ground level and re shot, just what bonsai growers like

Sounds like a positive answer to me.

Ahhhh, now I see

Cheers

A year on ... how are these ones going? did they all survive?

cre8ivbonsai wrote:A year on ... how are these ones going? did they all survive?

Going great guns. They have never looked back. A big difference from where they started. Hoping the new collected ones power on like these did.

Josh

Wow this is a new type of material to me