AusBonsai

Hi Everyone,

If this is the wrong forum I apologise. I dug out a 5ft Pieris today and managed to get it into a 75litre pot. I realise it is out of season, but I had no choice and we had a lot of rain yesterday, which might increase my chances. I'm pretty sure I got the majority of the root ball. My question is whether I should prune back the tree so it can focus it's energy into the roots, or if I should leave it? If so, how much should I take off?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I Just want to keep this one Alive! Thanks guys.

AKVears wrote:Hi Everyone,

If this is the wrong forum I apologise. I dug out a 5ft Pieris today and managed to get it into a 75litre pot. I realise it is out of season, but I had no choice and we had a lot of rain yesterday, which might increase my chances. I'm pretty sure I got the majority of the root ball. My question is whether I should prune back the tree so it can focus it's energy into the roots, or if I should leave it? If so, how much should I take off?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I Just want to keep this one Alive! Thanks guys.

It's always good to leave a small amount of foliage to allow root development without dehydration.

Judging how much to remove is the key, and it's hard to tell without some good pics of what you dug!! Just remember that the trunk will have plenty of stored energy and might try to push out new shoots using this stored energy. Unfortunately, while it may be exciting, I feel this detracts from the energy that should be going in to the roots. As such, I generally remove most of these new shoots in the first month and following the first month will allow it to grow freely.

I note you dug the tree at not the perfect time, but I think if you keep it in mostly shade and only give it very late afternoon sun it should increase your chances of having a healthy tree ASAP.

Remember to give it a weak solution of seasol and a very weak solution of a root stimulating fertiliser. When choosing a fertiliser there are three things to consider and these make up the NPK values. In your case you want a high P (Phosphorus) value and a moderate K (Potassium) value. The N (Nitrogen) value is best kept low so as to not promote too much foliage growth in the early stages. Once a week should be enough .

-MiyabiBonsai

MoGanic wrote:

AKVears wrote:Hi Everyone,

If this is the wrong forum I apologise. I dug out a 5ft Pieris today and managed to get it into a 75litre pot. I realise it is out of season, but I had no choice and we had a lot of rain yesterday, which might increase my chances. I'm pretty sure I got the majority of the root ball. My question is whether I should prune back the tree so it can focus it's energy into the roots, or if I should leave it? If so, how much should I take off?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I Just want to keep this one Alive! Thanks guys.

It's always good to leave a small amount of foliage to allow root development without dehydration.

Judging how much to remove is the key, and it's hard to tell without some good pics of what you dug!! Just remember that the trunk will have plenty of stored energy and might try to push out new shoots using this stored energy. Unfortunately, while it may be exciting, I feel this detracts from the energy that should be going in to the roots. As such, I generally remove most of these new shoots in the first month and following the first month will allow it to grow freely.

I note you dug the tree at not the perfect time, but I think if you keep it in mostly shade and only give it very late afternoon sun it should increase your chances of having a healthy tree ASAP.

Remember to give it a weak solution of seasol and a very weak solution of a root stimulating fertiliser. When choosing a fertiliser there are three things to consider and these make up the NPK values. In your case you want a high P (Phosphorus) value and a moderate K (Potassium) value. The N (Nitrogen) value is best kept low so as to not promote too much foliage growth in the early stages. Once a week should be enough .

-MiyabiBonsai

By the way, an easy way to remember what the NPK values are for is "Shoots, Roots and Fruits". Note the K value represents regulation of hormones and water flow through the plant while promoting flowers and fruits.

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AKVears wrote:

photo-61.JPG

Good stock mate and the pic is very helpful. Given how much root you have, I'd trim the tips of all the branches to leave a small handful of leaves on each primary branch and get rid of all the remnants of any flowers. Good luck, but I think this one will pull through fine. Remember to water well and to water the foliage too when you can.

One big factor is how healthy the plant is prior to digging and this one looks very healthy to me.

I hope you didn't remove any of the soil at this stage from the root ball!!

Mate the root ball as you see it in the first photo is how it went into the pot. And yes, the tree was looking very healthy. I also payed special attention to try and work the mix into the root ball as best I could, giving it a good water and some seasol as well. Their is a couple of shoots really low down on the trunk. Should I be removing them? Also any recommendations on a brand of root stimulating fertiliser? My knowledge is pretty limited around that area.

Cheers!

-Alex

What a great score
Leave the lower shoots and just take off the outer foliage, With that mount of roots you can leave quite a few

Ken

Any update on this one?

Homer911 wrote:Any update on this one?

I doubt it,
they have not logged in over a year
Ken