Salix Matsudana Tortuosa...Tortured Willow..For MasonC

[bodhidharma]

Here is the Willow as promised. I have tried every style with this tree (weeping etc) and this is what it responds to. Finger pruning EVERY BLOODY DAY!!! (got that of my chest) and, frankly, i do not have the time to pay that much attention to it. It does stop its massive growth potential in a smaller pot, but if you get it wrong with watering and food it sooks and throws a branch which is very, very frustrating if you have spent a couple of years working on it If you feel the need to have a tree that DEMANDS daily attention during its growing period than this is the tree for you. If you want one come visit me and i will sell you one CHEAP.

[anttal63]

I can tell you are feeling better now! thanks i needed to know that, forget getting one for me!

[MelaQuin]

Several years ago I developed a weeping Melaleuca and it was stunning... and a total pain in the bum for the same reason. It grew demented and wiring horizontal branches is one thing, trying to wire and unwire vertical branches is something else again, especially when it is necessary almost weekly. For someone with more dedication than I had [or maybe not as many trees] this is a nice specimen. Someone should be game to give it a good home for the trunk alone.

[bodhidharma]

I can tell you are feeling better now! thanks i needed to know that, forget getting one for me!

A very good decision Ant

[NathanM]

Gotta agree that it has a great trunk!

[Greth]

I can tell you are feeling better now!

And I can tell you would be a very popular hairdresser, you have the right answers, Antonio! I can just imagine relaxing into a hairdressing chair and hearing you soothe my problems! I still want long hair tho, not volunteering for a cut, hehe.

[MasonC]

thanx bodhi,
thats a beauty of a trunk. i have put two of them into soil now and they have more shoots than any other plants. i will try and get some pics!!

[bodhidharma]

I look forward to it Mason. The earlier you wire them for trunk movement the better

[bodhidharma]

There have been people playing with this species of late so i will update this thread. Nothing has happened to change my opinion of the species except i will add..THEY ARE A GOOD TREE FOR BEGINNERS.. they are busy trees and must be fed and watered constantly, finger pruned every other day and a good going over fortnightly. They can be wired but cut in easily and must be checked weekly and this is why they are good practise for a beginner. I still hold to my judgement though and do not think they make great Bonsai.

[Hornet]

I have a few of these along with some weeping willows, a few had some die back from when i wasnt sitting them in water but all are growing well now they are in a nice deep tray of water

[Rintar]

There have been people playing with this species of late so i will update this thread. Nothing has happened to change my opinion of the species except i will add..THEY ARE A GOOD TREE FOR BEGINNERS.. they are busy trees and must be fed and watered constantly, finger pruned every other day and a good going over fortnightly. They can be wired but cut in easily and must be checked weekly and this is why they are good practise for a beginner. I still hold to my judgement though and do not think they make great Bonsai.

I was looking at adding one to my daleys order with some ficus for me to bonsai and some plants to replace some ficus i will be stealing of the mother in law are any of these a good idea to get now for winter in the nortern ish nsw area aka newcastle or should i wait before ordering... any help please

[bodhidharma]

It would be ok to purchase the tree from a nursery but it will be dormant of course. I would not be digging a tree at this time of year.

[Rintar]

Cheers thanks