AusBonsai

Had the opportunity to dig a pomegranate today. Unfortunately spring has come a little early and it already had a bunch of new growth on it but the owner wanted it gone, so out it came. I took as much soil as I could with the rootball and it is currently wrapped in hessian and taking a seasol bath. I cut it back to reduce the amount of leaves (and get it in the car) but left some on to help it recover. I was planning on potting it as is into a foam box tomorrow to give it a chance to recover and get some new roots going before deciding what to keep and what to remove. I'm assuming that I should leave the current soil in place until it is much happier? I'm also not sure if I should cut the trunks back further or whether the current reduction will suffice for now. Any advice gratefully accepted.
Terry

Nice score

G'day
I wouldn't be too concerned about the early start to spring. Your idea to plant it in a box now is spot on just ensure there is enough for a year's worth of root growth and then decide the structure between now and next spring. Great size you have there.

Hey Terry - well done, lots to work with there.

Your current repotting plan is sound, no problems at all. Eventually I reckon you'll be taking the trunks down further but you'll need a plan first. You can leave it as it is, get it settled in a pot and then make some decisions once you get some decent growth.

Matt.

Love your pommie, and anyone who digs "big" is a winner. They do make good bonsai and with some care and careful pruning it will turn out a cracker.

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement. Potted it up tonight and hoping it settles in without too many dramas.

Any update on this?


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pureheart wrote:Any update on this?

It has settled in and is on the move, even with flowers (which I have been removing). Expect it to move faster now that the crappy weather has all but gone and we are getting some days above 20C. New buds are popping eveywhere

Congratulations

Great!


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A quick update and question.
After a season of free growth, I began to start work on this tree about a month ago after it had lost most of its leaves. I removed a largish crossing branch and am slowly working on the other trunks - bit by bit. I noticed today that the buds are swelling and starting to open.
Is this an appropriate time to work on the roots? They haven't been touched since digging, so I would like to take a look at what is happening below the soil, remove any heavy roots, reduce the root mass (does a third seem reasonable?) and replant shallower but leave enough room for this years growth.

Apologies for the photos, it is hard to move, so had to make do.

Terry

I would sort out the roots now, especially if the buds are swelling.
I have new shoot on Chinese elm here now and a liquidamabar starting to look like they are about to start as well, despite today being the coldest morning so far

Ken

Following Ken's advice, I had a go at the roots. Here's a pic for those that are interested. Ended up replanting in the same foam box but shallower. Should still be plenty of room for another years growth.
Unfortunately the other day, our puppy decided that jins were required where I had already removed stubs and applied grey sealing putty
Must be tasty stuff, she hadn't touched the tree in the 8 months prior!

Terryb
Very "rooty" - you gotta be happy with that. Good job.
Obviously your puppy found it necessary to help fix up some of your mistakes.

Maybe we should compare notes?

This is mine. Quite a bit smaller than yours but I hope that means I may still have some chance of shaping with wire as the growth is not too thick?

It came out of the ground about a month ago. Is putting out growth but my fingers are crossed that it will hold. I think it will.

Mine is red-flowering and they do look spectacular.

Good luck with yours.