Atlantic Cedar ?

[JanetI]

Awhile ago I bought this little tree at a local bonsai show. It was labeled as an Atlantic Cedar. It has never had dark green needles. I’m wondering if it is a particular variety. I haven’t done much to it other than occasionally repotting hence the untrimmed look. It was repotted last year.

Any information would be great thanks.

[Kevin]

Hello Janet,

Welcome aboard.

I presume you're in Canberra, you will need to add your location to your profile for reliable and accurate help with your plants.

I'm no good with helping on varieties with cedars and pines. But as a presumption when you say you have done nothing much to your plant other than regular repotting, are you fertilising? Pale needles / leaves are a sure sign that your plant needs a feed and at regular intervals (roughly every 2 weeks) and full strength as per the instructions.

Also taking your tree to a club meeting for their opinions would be even better than advice on health from 2D pictures.

I've just enlarged your imagine for a closer look and i can clearly see where the last trim of your tree occurred and the subsequent regrowth. Which is very minimal, again presumptuous but if this tree has had more than one repot indicating the tree has gone through more than one growing season since its last trim, then your plant definitely needs a feed.

Kevin

[shibui]

There are a number of cultivars of Atlantic cedar, including some with golden foliage so it is possible the foliage colour is normal.
I suspect it is more likely the tree is under stress somehow. That could include nutrient deficiency or from root problems.
Have you fertilised? when, how often and with what?
What sort of potting mix is under all those rocks?
How often do you water? Let it dry out between watering or water more often?

[JanetI]

Hello Janet,

Welcome aboard.

I presume you're in Canberra, you will need to add your location to your profile for reliable and accurate help with your plants.

I'm no good with helping on varieties with cedars and pines. But as a presumption when you say you have done nothing much to your plant other than regular repotting, are you fertilising? Pale needles / leaves are a sure sign that your plant needs a feed and at regular intervals (roughly every 2 weeks) and full strength as per the instructions.

Also taking your tree to a club meeting for their opinions would be even better than advice on health from 2D pictures.

I've just enlarged your imagine for a closer look and i can clearly see where the last trim of your tree occurred and the subsequent regrowth. Which is very minimal, again presumptuous but if this tree has had more than one repot indicating the tree has gone through more than one growing season since its last trim, then your plant definitely needs a feed.

Kevin

Thank you Kevin, the tree has in the past been fertilised but not as often as it should be. I’m trying to rectify that this year. It has slow release on it and I’m using a liquid fertiliser ‘Compact Bonsai’ or ‘Healthy Earth NPK’. So far all the bonsai have had 2 liquid fertiliser feeds since the beginning of September.

As for putting my location in I couldn’t find where to do that except in the Club membership. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks

[JanetI]

There are a number of cultivars of Atlantic cedar, including some with golden foliage so it is possible the foliage colour is normal.
I suspect it is more likely the tree is under stress somehow. That could include nutrient deficiency or from root problems.
Have you fertilised? when, how often and with what?
What sort of potting mix is under all those rocks?
How often do you water? Let it dry out between watering or water more often?

Thank you shibui, the tree is on a 5 minute drip 3 times a week at present. The soil is a mix of 1 third potting compost, 1 third pumice and 1 third grit.
I’m attempting to fertilise the bonsai more frequently than whenever I remember. Since September the bonsai have been fertilised twice with liquid fertiliser and they have slow release since August.

Thank you again for your help,
Janet

[Rare plant Pat]

Just wanted to follow up your fertiliser question. For this tree, I would make sure it is in full sun firstly. If you are keeping it in a sheltered place, then you will need to transition it out into the sun slowly over say 4-6 weeks depending on how shaded you have it now. You are really looking for at least 6 at an absolute minimum or at least 8 hours sun. Most Cedars are very tough - ( there are some delicate cultivars, but yours doesn't look like one of them).

I'm not clear what you mean by potting compost - is this a brand name with an Australian standard tick on it? Premium or standard? What size pumice do you know? and could you explain what you mean by grit?

If this was my tree and it was in full sun, I would be liquid feeding it every week (I use thrive and apply it according to the directions). People will tell you to not do this or you will burn the roots. You won't - the fertiliser chemists want you to succeed and buy more of their product, so their directions can be trusted - this is what I do with my trees. I would also - at the same time be using solid feed - either a synthetic slow release like osmocote for tubs and planters or a quality organic pellet, like Seamungus or Rooster Booster. I don't believe it matters whether you use synthetic or organic at they stage of your tree's development - it can't tell where the nitrogen comes from. If I was using organic I would be applying it every 6 weeks (putting it into tea bags that you can get from eBay).

If you are worried about excessive growth with this approach - don't. Just let the tree go berserk with growth and when the new growth is about 10 -15 cm long just cut it back to two buds.

Next join your nearest friendly Bonsai Club. When you go to meetings look at the bench and see who grows the best Cedars and ask them what they do. - Ignore all your emotions and listen to them and do what they tell you ( they will probably suggest you modify your mix a bit once the tree is strong - until you get more experience.

Cedars are excellent Bonsai trees that are tough on the bench and respond well to pruning properly and heal quickly.

One last suggestion, I think you should be trying to water a little more responsively to the tree. During any hot weather I would be watering every day - as much as to keep the solid fertiliser flowing up to it.