AusBonsai

I "collected" a large half-dead Pieris from a pile of landfill (actually just picked it up from the side of the pile) a month or two ago, soaked it in Seasol and dumped it as is into a pot with mix around the root ball. It's survived (and the damn thing is even flowering a bit!) but the root ball is locked in the tough local clay laughingly described as soil round here.

My question is - do I bare-root it and put it into something pot-friendly, (has anyone bare-rooted Pieris?) do I leave it surrounded by pot mix, on the grounds that it's survived so far like that, or do I try a partial wedge clean-out, leaving some intact? I don't like any of these options.

Any ideas would be much appreciated,

Gavin

I suppose you can try to hose the clay off, or just pick at it each time.

Hi Gavin
I know nothing about this species but in general I would leave it as is. Keeping the root ball intact when collecting is much more important than a free drianing mix I reckon. You just need to manage the watering a little different than usual.
This especially so if it is starting to recover as you say.

Pieris, or Pyrus?

Pieris. Acid-loving shrubby thing, little dangling fronds of flowers. Not usually my thing, but there it was. Its a good 1 1/2 metres high, 3-4cms across low in the trunk - sizable for these. Thanks for the feedback.

Gavin

Pieris Japonica perhaps?

My thoughts would be to leave it as-is for now, just surround it was a good mix, and when it fully recovers, the clay could then be completely removed.

Pieris are a native of Japan but are very seldom seen in a bonsai pot, that would make me wonder about their suitability for bonsai culture. I have seen a couple grown as bonsai in a very informal style. Their cultivation would be similar to azalea at a guess in which case the clay should probably be removed.
Craigw

Hi Gavan,

I am of the firm belief that if it is going well don't muck about with it.
I wouldn't do anything until at least spring 2011.
This being the old rule of thumb of collected trees being given 12 months to acclimatise to a pot.
Good luck ! and a picture at some stage?

Chris.

I actually have one at home
Only a starter tho but has a couple of flower this year

I woud let it recover this year in new soil and then next year, clean out the root mass.
Treat them like Azaleas I think, and style them to take advantage of the dangly flower racemes which are usually white but start out a nice red or pink

Ken

heres one I grow as a tub plant
Craigw

That is the one I have too Chris and you have just given me a great I dea
I have a large Black Glazed garden Pot that is looking for something to go into it
It will give it heaps of room to grow on faster

Later in the year

Ken

KC is on the money.

I have collected things with clay rootball before, or bought something that was potted in clay (yes it is true). Pot it into something but be sure to watch how the water behaves, the clay is of course more compact than potting medium so you water it will generally run off the clay and into the surrounding medium. If you can get propagating sand (not fine washed sand) pot it into this, with the application of seasol and some liquid fertiliser and the clay will soften up and when next year comes you will have an easier job. Don't stress about removing all of the clay, it will over time wash out and/or become part of the rest of the soil.

Could you post a photo of your Pieris?

Here's the beast, it's about 125cms tall. I think there's enough movement down low to make something interesting half the size, if I can get it shooting further back. Nice bark, complicated leaves, fine flowers, possibly more gardens should be plundered for old thick trunks.


Despite the collective advice, I just couldn't stand it, and washed/melted/dragged as much of the clag from the root ball as I could. It's in coarse sand now, and may the gods of Seasol and spring be kind.

Thanks all,

Gavin

Nice trunk Gavin, I think you did the right thing getting rid of the garden soil. Pieris will shoot back on old wood lke azaleas do so should be no drama getting growth down low when its healthy again
Craigw