AusBonsai

I went to the Sunday markets this morning, first time in ages. I have found the most wonderful supplier of tree of all sizes and I can get advanced trees from $30.
Didn't go prepared and only had a few dollars on me so all I bought today were 3 privets for $5 each. His nursery isn't far from me so seeing as I have 2 weeks off from tomorrow I'll be paying him a few visits . If anyone is interested in going into his website it's Woodys tree and wormfarm .. Maybe you could scout the trees for me and recommend a few that I shoud get. Anyway here's a couple of photos of my privets I know they will look like seedling to you guys after seeing what you collect, but for me it's exiting. Never had a privet before so don't know anything about them. What is the first thing I should so with them...can I pot them now or should I let them get more advanced. What is the best potting medium for them, all help is appreciated.
cheers Loretta

SAWEEET news Loretta

I will catch up with ya about goin for a dig in the next couple of weeks

Cheers
Pat

nice score his got a decent stocklist

Jake wrote:nice score his got a decent stocklist

That's what I thought as well Jake, that's why I'm so excited about finding him. Was there anything on his list you would really recommend???
cheers Loretta

Are you sure they're privets? They look a lot like box (buxus).

Hi Loretta, I agree with Mal, they look like Buxus to me also, that is not a Privet Leaf, sorry.
James

Good thing they are not privets then, because it is illegal to sell privet in Queensland according to the DPI. http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/4790_7344.htm



I know for sure the bottom photo is a buxus as it is the same as mine.

Glenda

pommie_mal wrote:Are you sure they're privets? They look a lot like box (buxus).

Hi Mal, they could well be Box He was talking about both Box and Privet and I mentioned to him how you guys down south basically look upon privet as a weed. He commented that these weren't the ones I was talking about so maybe they are box...all the better if they I think
Loretta

Yep - look like box to me as well. I have both broad leaf (Ligustrum Vulgaris)and small leaf (Ligustrum Ovalifolia) privet - and one that nurseries in QLD are still selling, 'Lemon, Lime & Clippers' (Ligustrum Ovalifolia Aureum). None of them look anything like your photos Loretta. Firstly, the leaves are the wrong shape and privet bark is smoother than what is showing on your photos.

Going by the root spreads, it looks like you scored some pretty good ones there.

Went through that list of trees, and because I've got a bit of a passion for Figs, there are two that I'd be looking at - 'Cluster Fig' (Ficus Racemosa) and 'White Fig' (Ficus Virens). Don't know how the Virens would perform in your climate, but definitely in cooler climates they are deciduous - mine have no leaves on at the moment, but the buds are swelling again so they should flush in the next week or two. I've found Virens to be a good tree to work on. I don't have a Racemosa but being a fig it should also go well. If/when you get one, I might have to ask you to send me a cutting or two. Actually, it might be worth looking at asking you to get me one, bare-root it and send it down. (day-am, at times like this I wish I was still in the Air Force - I could get it sent down Air-mail )

[quote="Tman"]Went through that list of trees, and because I've got a bit of a passion for Figs, there are two that I'd be looking at - 'Cluster Fig' (Ficus Racemosa) and 'White Fig' (Ficus Virens).

No problem Tman....now seeing you're a fig man...which fig has those awful bulbous roots,you know, the ones with the oval shaped bulb on the end of the root. I've just discovered I've got one or two and don't really like them.
cheers Loretta

Sure look like Box, Lorette. Please tell me, is the potting mix as heavy as it looks in the photo?
Box doesn't seem to mind a mix that is a little on the heavy side, but a few of the other trees on the plant list would certainly grow better in a lighter mix, something to remember later By the way, price seems to be right.
As Taff said the two Ficus would well be worth getting onto. I have used Racemosa in the past (Darwin) and it responds rather well to Bonsai training. Virens is recognised as a deciduous tree, although not all ways with all trees. I have grown batches of Virens and have had trees which both dropped and held their leaves, from the same seed. They may also drop their leaves this year and hold them next. By the way, both of them would like some of that lighter potting mix.
I also note Woody has Podocaprus in their list, good tree to use if you have time on your hands. They are a slow growing tree - right up there with Black Pines.
I think there were a few more there as well, but my emory is old tonight and I didn't take notes, sorry.

There appear to be number of Figs that can display those Bulbous roots Loretta. I agree with you, I think they look awful as well - almost obnoxious in fact. There again, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', as the saying goes - some people think they look great, others don't. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

I've seen a number of references to Ficus Retusa as having that root structure, but I have three here (one with a 100mm dia trunk) and two smaller ones - and none of them have this feature. I understand though that Retusa has been used to create those 'Pot bellied figs' that the 'B-store' was selling. Another fig species was grafted to the top. I've also seen examples of Port Jackson's and even Benjamina's that have them. After doing a bit of research, it appears that quite a few of our other native species can produce them as well.

It can be dealt with though. All you have to do is cut horizontally through the bulbous areas and re-plant them. They will then grow normal roots all round the edges.

[ It can be dealt with though. All you have to do is cut horizontally through the bulbous areas and re-plant them. They will then grow normal roots all round the edges.[/quote]

That's good to know Taffy as I have some nice trees but those roots spoil them...I'll cut one of them in the next few days and see how it fares Now don't hesitate if you want me to send something down to you, it will be my pleasure.

Loretta

[quote="Graeme"]Sure look like Box, Lorette. Please tell me, is the potting mix as heavy as it looks in the photo?
Box doesn't seem to mind a mix that is a little on the heavy side, but a few of the other trees on the plant list would certainly grow better in a lighter mix, something to remember later

Yes Graeme, it does seem like a heavy mix, I think it's mostly loam. Though when I watered them they drained really well. Pots feel very solid and heavy. I don't think anything I buy from him will stay in the origial pots, not for long anyway. A quick chop, wait for some new low growth which wont take long up here, and then I can trim the roots and repot. I think I might even invest in a couple of those figs Taffy mentioned, especially the curtain fig. he had quite a few lovelly trees there yest that I would have bought but he's not growing for the bonsai lovers. His trunks are very straight up till the first branches..."I did say to him..you should wire a few and give them some movement" he just laughed and said he had far too many. But up the track he may realise he could have a completely different sideline to his business by catering to the bonsai fraternity, maybe he might start doing this to a few!!!
cheers Loretta