Campeche Logwood

Nice. I like the fluted base, looks so matured. This will be a super nice tree in a short time. I would love to see the progress of this one.

I have a few logwood too ( 2 are about that size) that I bought from PR late last year and like you, just trying to build foliage now since they were shocked by our winter weather (as mild as it was). Some are just starting to leaf now. Mine are also freshly collected so they have a long way to go.
 
Thanks, Wish you posted this tidbit about wiring yesterday....I found this out the hard way today! LOL Mine have really thin branches and one broke while wiring this afternoon. Any other Campeche tip you can share will be much appreciated.
 
I am by no means an expert on this spices but I have played with them quite a bit. My first suggestion is to put this tree in a bigger pot with a bonsai mix. (Equal parts: lava rock, turface, and pine bar fines). You are in the development stage so give it some room to grow. I grow mine in full sun and water every morning and in the hotter months in the afternoon as well (I live in South Florida). I use time release fertilizer and spray with a liquid fertilizer once a week with great results. Campeche/Logwood, when put in the right conditions, are extremely fast growers.

As for the branches breaking problem be sure to defoliate your tree before wiring. This will make it much easier to get the wire on tight. Also, take this opportunity to remove any thorns you can find. Your fingers will thank you for this. The defoliating will also help to promote back budding and the new leaflets sprout a purplish/red which is really beautiful. When bending the branches you should support the branch where it comes off the trunk. This is the weakest spot and if not supported the branch will just pop off if bent to far. Another tip would be to twist the branch in the direct you wired it to keep the wire tight against the branch which will also help. I hope this helps.
 
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Sapman, Thanks for the help. I did break one where it connects to the main trunk...though I am hoping it will heal. It has been 2 weeks and the branch is still growing new branches and leaves so I am hopeful. My problem with wiring tight is because of the fast growth so I am trying to compensate by leaving my wire loose. A big mistake it sounds?
 
I can appreciate your plight since in the past I too prescribed to loose wiring to avoid having to remove the wire a month or two later. In the end this always came back to bit me. Now I just bit the bullet and keep a close eye on my trees after I wire them. I spot remove wire in areas when it starts cutting in and leave the rest of the tree wired as long as possible.

Something you might want to consider is re-growing the branch that broke. With the growth rate of a Logwood you could grow a replacement branch in one season. I do not know how bad the break was but once a branch is compromised you will need to be careful with it for the foreseeable future. Logwood readily back bud at the branch node. If you defoliate like I suggested I am sure you will get a new bud to pop. Just make sure to have a suitable replacement branch growing before you remove the older one. If you remove the older branch first the sap flow decreases and that branch node often dies. Good Luck.
 
Thanks Sapman!

The good news is that there is already a new branch growing next to it (as you predicted). I will keep the broken branch if possible though since it is one of the original when I got it. I will watch how it heals. About half of the bark area broke as well as the hardwood/sapwood core, leaving only half the bark connected. As of yesterday, the bark is starting to show signs of healing already and started "rolling" in.

Yes, my wiring looks aweful also because I was trying to do it loose LOL.

Stacy, sorry for the hijack. :o
 
Thanks Stacy. I wish I have the space to let mine grow like that. I have to keep pruning mine to keep them within their designated area...especially now that they are inside. The good thing is that they still keep growing...like crazy!!! LOL

Looking forward the new design, maybe before summer?
 
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