Search results

Oh, and I do use a soil with organics for larch. Basic grow out substrate that works well for me- 1/3 bark nodules (Fafards soil conditioner or the like) 1/3 perlite, 1/3 core material (whatever you can get or a mix of - lava, pumice, haydite, turface etc.) sift out fines, keep finer than modern...

Many variables but chopping in early summer, especially in a cold climate, will utilize energy to callus and generate more compact growth. Follow with a increasing regiment of fertilizer until fall. Chopping in the spring one removes many of the preformed buds, steals energy building green and...

Very cool tree but I woud imagine you would have to essentially cut off every divided branch.

Most of these die. Root sensitive. I think shade and benevolence is required. good luck!

Need much shallower box--it will help develop fine branching and better bases.

yes-um

Collected in 2004 off of shore rocks on a trip with the Ogre-its natural deportment was windswept (really, ice swept/smashed) at some point planted it over the boulder and grew it in a low box--I thin it frequently and have wired many of the small branches.

13 yrs

New pic of the Witch Tree Composition. Can't wait to clean up the details once she is habituated

yup, and many raise bonsai basically as an ebb and flow system--frequent watering in an inert substrate.

As a young carpenter, eons ago, we use to call some small flaw in our work as our, "Indian bead". The native American story we were told was when beading moccasins a bead somewhere in the pattern was always left out to show our imperfection and avoid being sucked up into the sky with the Gods.

This great quandary is not about what's best or even about what works it's really about those who are willing to use the unique Japanese imported soil component acadama. Volcanic mixes, such as lava and pumice, are known to really work well but without acadama, a volcanic mix is pretty dry. Good...

When using porous substrates to grow potted trees and not using well water, but rather, water derived from a reverse Osmosis filter or from collected rain, one can and does suffer from calcium and magnesium deficiencies and also microelement deficiencies. The microelement deficiencies are easy...

So, what Cal Mag are rainwater and RO water folks using and at what rates?????

Heck, if I lived in zone 6 like this corn-dog Canadian does it would be like in a tropical paradise--a little snow means nothing. Zone 3 is my land.

That is because you are from the AZ. I live in the soul-sucking land of misery, hell my plants are still in storage.

I know I will be accused of being a dark cynic, but I have seen others carry out this impulse and I think it is misguided and I question what the motivation really is, and in the end, I think the whole ambition does more harm than good. For some reason, people are just compelled to gain converts...

Usual failure is not establishing and developing grest rootage. Also poor hack decisions and not using post hack invigorating

Long term larch development from seedling is definitely doable. Your techniques will be using great health and ground growing, aggressive in-ground root pruning/building, careful retention of lower foliage, strategic hack backs, hack seals can be Vaseline covered in alum foil. Process...

Very first issue: get it growing heartily in bonsai soil in a shallow flat with all original soil gone--very important not to get distracted from this goal. Don't chop it more, don't wire, don't carve, scissor cut fronds only minimally as to not loose inner growth, make it healthy and growing...

I recommend getting a die grinder with variable speed--they are often bulkier but safer and more versatile. Metabo and Makita make a VS model. I tend to used a Dremel for most stuff , especially details.

Finding large interesting stumpage is not the problem. Long term Honeysuckle management is the issue. I cant say I have figured it completely out but attaining and then retaining fine rootage and fine top growth is necessary otherwise you will have a sticky unmanageable high maintenance monster...

My understanding is larch don't like Ohio's weather unless you can assure them solid dormancy

Ironically, Colin is one of the few in America that has a colloquial voice, an organic style and a heart too open to become clogged with the cultural residue of this confounding art.

Pretty cool shape. As others said shortening branches and developing ramification over time would be good. Try to do this slowly to retain the airy style.