How do you make jacaranda's branch?

[GrantSt]

Hello,

I've got several jacarandas that I planted from seed a couple of years ago. Some I want to keep as bonsais and a couple I will let grow bigger but still be able to fit inside.

The main problem I'm having is getting them to branch, they just keep growing taller. In some cases I have cut off the new growth along the trunk but they have then sent out several new branches, but then in all cases one will dominate and grow and the others won't and will eventually die.

From looking at some of the pictures on this site people seem to have got them to branch when they are not that height, does anyone have any advice?

Thanks for any help,
Grant

[kcpoole]

Cut them back hard and they will shoot from everywhere. Leave the buds you want to keep and rub the others off.

Let them extend until they starting harden off, then wire them loosely and bend down as the new growth allways point straight up.

Ken

[GrantSt]

I don't seem to be having much success for some reason. With one of the plants it was far too tall so I cut it off about 7cm above the soil, leaving no leaves left, so it was just a trunk. Some buds came, and from them a few branches but one branch would always take over and the other would just stop growing.

I then tried cutting one of the branches in half, this completely stopped it growing and one of the other ones which had started growing but stopped growing, started growing again, but that is now dominant and none of the other are growing.

Is there a way of making more than one grow?

Thanks,
Grant

[MattA]

Hey Grant,

As Ken said cut them back hard & they will shoot like crazy.....They NEED loads of food & water to really drive growth otherwise what your experiencing is the result... erratic growth of branching where one will dominate & the rest stagnate. Theres a few differences across my trees so its not easy to say definitely what does or doesnt improve it. This growth habit occurs in garden or selfsown wild trees as well so it makes me think its part of being a rainforest plant that it just wants to get up as quick as possible before something else out competes for light...Why put energy into multiple shoots when one is all I need to get to the top... Constant balancing of growth does eventually help.

Another major need for good even growth & branching in a Jacaranda,
As much light as possible & then some more!!!

Matt

[GrantSt]

Hi Matt,

As one branch has now taken over, would you say that I should cut it back and hope that the other ones start growing again, or with feeding do you think the others will start growing again?

Also, I've stated to feed them - I wasn't doing that before. I wasn't really that sure what plant feed to buy, but got one that mentioned trees and flowering plants, it actaully seems to have similar ingredients/chemicals to the tomato feed I used for chilli plants. I've also put them in a sunnier part of the house.

Thanks for reply,
Grant

[kcpoole]

Hi grant

Cut them back and they should shoot back and I just keep cutting back any branches that start to dominate

Ken

[Handy Mick]

Grant, with jacaranda's they need to be out side, you mentioned that you have put yours in a sunnier part of the house, put it outside, you are in spring now right? Also jacaranda don't like cold weather.
Mick

[Handy Mick]

Also with jacarandas, never trim one in the ground. After you do, they look terrible.

[MattA]

Also with jacarandas, never trim one in the ground. After you do, they look terrible.

Mick you have me intrigued....

When you say terrible, do you mean in the first year or 2 after cutting back or always?

I plan on tackling a full grown tree at my parents soon, it needs major reduction!!! I know once its done regrowth will be wild & very Very messy but am hoping with regular work over a couple of years it should come back together ok...I climb several trees each year for pruning so whats one more

Matt

[de_keizer]

when i trimmed my jacaranda i was advised by the council that no one would ever advise that drastic a trim(tree shrunk from about 5m to less than a foot) as it ruined the tree and would never grow properly. my personal opinion is that it just turns then into a giant bush rather than a tree

[Handy Mick]

Matt, whenever a Jacaranda gets pruned, when ground grown they just throw out many straight branches and just look terrible, when left alone they grow very beautifull with some natural movement, just make sure they are planted in a good spot where they wont need pruning. they are quite hard to handle as a bonsai. but i have seen some amazing jacaranda bonsai.

Mick

edit; i mean forever! terrible