Grafted Cumquat

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Ren
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Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ren »

Hi Everyone,

Fairly new to this still and wanted to ask a simple question or to in regards to a Cumquat I purchased about 6mths ago.

I have dabbled with bonsai on and off for about 10 years but only recently moved into a house that allows a much greater collection. I wanted to try some different varieties, as I had mostly done alot of junipers and elms. I fell in love with this little Cumquat recently and have been watching it ripen a good handful of grape size fruit, some of which I happily sampled, yum. I have plucked most of the ripe fruit off now and have been watching it over the past few days seem to tighten up a little. It just doesnt look as healthy and I was concerned that perhaps some of the "trimmings" I have growing around the base are hindering it somewhat.

The variety of plant that is growing is unknown to me. It can be seen below, and has a small green bulb that produces a purple flower. I plucked most of this greenery out when I repotted some time ago, but didnt go hard enough obviously, it grew right back through the gravel and moss. Ive come to like the green foliage as a nice accent to the pot and tree. But now Im wondering if perhaps my Cumquat is a little fussy about her living space. Ive been told that most Citrus varieties like to have a well mulched, partitioned circumference at the base where nothing else is allowed to grow. Ive applied that to my lemon tree and dwarf lime and had no complaints from them.

So can anyone offer me any advice in regards to my trespassing shrubery?

Love the forum by the way, gonna be spending alot more time here I think.... :tu:
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Ray M
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ray M »

Hi Ren,
Any time you have other plants in a bonsai pot they will always compete for water and nutrients. Depending on where the tree is in its development as a bonsai, may determine what you do from here.

If you are developing the tree to become a bonsai I would suggest removing any other plants. Let the tree develop on it's way to becoming a bonsai and then you can decide what to do. If you want to keep the plants in the pot you need to do some soaking. Place the tree into a tube of water for about 20 minutes or more. Give the tree a good drink of Seasol after taking it out of the tube. You could repeats this every couple of days and see how it responds.

Regards Ray
Ren
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ren »

HI Ray,

Thanks for the reply.

I have been giving her lots of water/fish emulsions and seasol drenchings. I might have to remove them and see if it makes a difference.

Regards
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Ray M
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ray M »

Ren wrote:HI Ray,

Thanks for the reply.

I have been giving her lots of water/fish emulsions and seasol drenchings. I might have to remove them and see if it makes a difference.

Regards
Hr Ren,
I think that would certainly be a good step. If you could slip pot it into a larger growing pot for now that should also help.

Regards Ray
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by cre8ivbonsai »

the accompanying plant IMO would look great in its own little pot as an accent.

I have a small standard cumquat (not bonsai), it is in a pot about 2x bigger and also enjoys a fair amount of shade.

But then again different trees, different environment.

Good luck :tu:
Cheers, Ryan
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Ren
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ren »

Hey thats a great idea, Im gonna have a stab at that. Ive been giving this guy full sun, perhaps I will place him around the corner for a while to see if he likes it a bit better with partial shade.

Cheers
Ren
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by Ren »

Update on the Cumquat.

Moved to a slightly bigger pot, not my first choice but the right size (and price) for the job. Fertilized and moved from full sun.

Shot new growth within a week around the base (above the graft). All the growth below the "Y" in the trunk is new growth. Wanted to grow straight up so I had to tease it outwards. Very easy to break new shoots, so after losing one I just coiled wire in a helical/conical shape around the trunk, expanding outwards. Tucked the new growth under the appropriate turn rather than wind each shoot. One of my other hobbies is electric motors, so I have a near infinite supply of copper wire, handy crossover :D

Regards
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by zimzallabim »

Update on this?

I'm considering attempting to develop a cumquat

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RogerW
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Re: Grafted Cumquat

Post by RogerW »

The plant accompanying the Cumquat is Viola betonicifolia a violet native to NSW, Tas and VIC.
Roger
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