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My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 9:46 pm
by kvan64
This is one of the plants I mentioned earlier. As bretts advised, I won't think of the bigger one until spring next year

I hope that this will survive.
I like this one better as it has some nice movements and appears to have a reasonable base and the fruits are more red/orange. I have cut down 70% of its branches, leaves and all fruits. It is soaking in water + seasol and ST. I currently don't know what soil mix to use for it as I am having some fungal issue with soil mix at the moment. Maybe Bretts and others could suggest. I currently have 5mm scorias and river red pepples.
I'd like to keep most of the main branches now anh layer them latter for more trees.
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 9:54 pm
by Bretts
Hey Kvan Great find the movement is really interesting. Looks like the roots need some work but that can be soughted in time once it has recovered. Love the red fruit. I hope mine has red fruit but I think that is wishful thinking.
I will hunt around for some more soon!
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 9:59 pm
by NathanM
Nice base there DK!!! Hope it survives for you mate

Where did you find it??
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:01 pm
by kvan64
Any suggestion for the soil mix Bretts? Will 5mm scoria be useful as part of the mix?
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:03 pm
by Gerard
I really like the movement, could turn out really nice.
Gerard
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:05 pm
by kvan64
NathanM wrote:Nice base there DK!!! Hope it survives for you mate

Where did you find it??
Thanks Nathan, It's on my distance uncle's property

Hey, I saw a much much bigger tree in Ipswhich near my work. I look at it twice everyday but never seen the owner home. I'm thinking of asking for it one day before next spring
Bretts, Any suggestion for the soil mix? Will 5mm scoria be useful as part of the mix?
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:13 pm
by MelaQuin
Considering that pyracantha tends to have straight shoots you have found a fabulous plant. Such lovely movement in the trunk. It's going to be great fun working with that especially since pyras develop quickly and you could have a nice bonsai in under two years. Good hunting!!! Green with envy since I love Pyras.
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:16 pm
by Bretts
Yes I think 5mm scorio will be very beneficial in your mix for this. I once used 10mm scorio and bags off potting mix(unsifted) to pot up wisteria and and orange tree that was ripped out of the ground for a pool installation. Both recovered very well. Both are still in the same mix two years later!
I would love to have a supply of 5mm scorio but I have used crushed scorio at 100% last season and it did not go so well.
Ok enough confusing you. 5mm scorio will be good as a filler I reckon but leave it at that. 50 /50 sifted potting mix and grit (sifted 1-4mm rock or sand). Then add 1/3 scorio.
Seeing as it is bare rooted make the mix drain well is my best bet.
The best results I have had is keeping the root ball intact and using a less draining mix around the root ball to match the clay around the collected root ball but that is for later reference

Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:16 pm
by bonsai4life
Damn Kvan...thats a really nice firethorn....near perfect movement and taper...wow

couldn't ask for more but for it survive and thrive. never used scorcia but if u can get your hands on some diatomite would be great especially with that fungus problem u got at the moment.
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:23 pm
by Chris Di Nola
great find

i think it would look better at my place

Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 23rd, 2010, 10:35 pm
by kvan64
Bretts wrote:Yes I think 5mm scorio will be very beneficial in your mix for this. I once used 10mm scorio and bags off potting mix(unsifted) to pot up wisteria and and orange tree that was ripped out of the ground for a pool installation. Both recovered very well. Both are still in the same mix two years later!
I would love to have a supply of 5mm scorio but I have used crushed scorio at 100% last season and it did not go so well.
Ok enough confusing you. 5mm scorio will be good as a filler I reckon but leave it at that. 50 /50 sifted potting mix and grit (sifted 1-4mm rock or sand). Then add 1/3 scorio.
Seeing as it is bare rooted make the mix drain well is my best bet.
The best results I have had is keeping the root ball intact and using a less draining mix around the root ball to match the clay around the collected root ball but that is for later reference

Thanks Bretts. It had a good rootball but I thought I need to rearrange some odd roots
bonsai4life wrote:Damn Kvan...thats a really nice firethorn....near perfect movement and taper...wow

couldn't ask for more but for it survive and thrive. never used scorcia but if u can get your hands on some diatomite would be great especially with that fungus problem u got at the moment.
I tried but could not allocate some diatomite in Bris. Do you have some source?
Skippy wrote:great find

i think it would look better at my place

That for sure Skippy

but it may not stand out as you already have many great trees at your place. I only have very few.
MelaQuin wrote:pyracantha
Thanks Mel for the scientific name. I learn something new today.
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 24th, 2010, 12:22 am
by Jamie
that is a cracking trunk DK

and the branches will make wicked little shohin too

i hope this one pulls through for ya, there shouldnt be a prob with that tohugh, i reckon it will come through really strong and it wont be long before you can start building
jamie

Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 24th, 2010, 4:17 pm
by craigw60
Nice find. Pyracantha are pretty tough customers so you should have no drama keeping it going, looks like you have lots of roots.
Craig
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 24th, 2010, 4:38 pm
by OwnLeeOne
Nice find. There's a vege gardening website (Productive Gardens) that sells and posts diatomite in Bris. Think it was $30 total for 20L.
Peas
Re: My first Firethorn dig in QLD
Posted: March 24th, 2010, 5:39 pm
by anttal63
Great find Kev, ya wont see too many like that. good luck!
