I grow small trees in various “containers”

[ShadyStump]

Thank you sir! Had to go for a walk about. Lol
Found some things, figured some things out and am a little lighter. All good things

Sounds awesome. I think I may do similar here soon.
Would you believe I haven't gone camping in almost 2 years? What the hell is wrong with me?!

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

The big birch is thriving. Roots are growing into the rocks and growth is out of control. It’s time for a serious haircut. Probably just a good ole fashion hedge trim. My favorite. Next month, I’ll do a little carving up top to help smooth it out and then let it chill.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

@pandacular here is a similar tree to the one you got from me, but this is a different variety. Bigger foliage. Super sale cheap fun.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Here’s an interesting one. (If it lives) It’s another Heather, but this one has white flowers. Got it for free off market place 2 years ago, it was huge and filled the back of the truck. Separated, planted and this section was the only piece to survive. It was cascading to the ground, but I like mushroom trees so it got flipped, removed some branches and BAM!!! Mushroom tree.
Might jin those branches and since the bark looks juniper like I’m thinking it needs a shari too at some point.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Since the suns out and I was feeling frisky this morning I decided to tackle the “trash can lid tree”. Untied it and lifted it. Dang!!!!! There’s some roots.so my little guy started working on surface root clean clean up.
Worked the roots pretty hard, got it down to a manageable size. Didn’t completely bare root it but pretty close. Sorry, not pics of that. When I do root work/repotting I’m covered head to toe in soil and sacrificed roots.
Finished product.

Left the fern because why not. lol
By the way, ssshhhhhhhhh!!! Don’t tell anyone, but I grew it in pure potting soil and zero root rot. Good tree! Hahahahahahaha

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Ok, sooooooo, I saw this tree….. and now I own it. lol Picked up this Japanese maple, “Koto Maru”. Really small leaves, interesting growth. But this is now my most expensive tree which is way better than it being a ficus.
Has a root issue I need to deal with sooner than later and it needs to be reduced drastically to match the trunk size, but with the size of the leaves the 1.5” trunk is plenty large. Going to have to give air layers a try on it because even a pencil size truck would look ok with these leaves. Good times.

 

[rusticana]

This is more of an introduction as I need some assistance moving forward. I ended up in Washinshington after getting out of the army for medical reasons( I’m crazy). Lol. Anyway, while searching for a place to reside the fam and I would stop by the PNW bonsai museum almost daily as an escape from the stress. Bought a bonsai book. I’m sure you know how that goes. When we found a place, I started digging up all kinds of seedlings from the yard. Some I left in the ground to get larger and cut back randomly. JM’s, birches, doug firs and random trees I haven’t figured out yet. That was back in 2007 so I’ve had some for a long time, but they are not even close to bonsai status. They are more like decent starting material. Sort of. But if I haven’t killed them yet I must be something right. Maybe? I do random experiments with propagation and growing methods. I tried growing a corkscrew willow upside down. Went on my first yamadori mission this year. I’ve even got a tree growing in a trash can lid. I do it for the peace of mind, growing trees keeps my mind at ease. I’d like to take some of them to the next level if possible, so I’m going to start posting some of my stuff to get your opinions. I’m not really into the group setting of clubs and my wife is tired of listening to me talk about trees. Lol

Dont let her give you too much trouble. There are a lot more disfunctional hobbies you could endulge in? I believe you are on the cusp. Start shopping for presentation pots. Perhaps a bit of downsizing also. Did you build those structures for shading? They could be used to build a winter hut? I see you have some forest plantings. Those are my favourite and best use of space. I am also in the PNW and have volunteers coming out of my ears. Not to mention experimenting with cuttings. Sometimes what I like to do is put a ribbon or coloured wire on prospective cuts. Then revist it and reconsider a few times. I also have some quite mature specimin. Its the lower branches that will be most difficult to replace. Also dont let branches get too long.
Your on your way man.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Dont let her give you too much trouble. There are a lot more disfunctional hobbies you could endulge in? I believe you are on the cusp. Start shopping for presentation pots. Perhaps a bit of downsizing also. Did you build those structures for shading? They could be used to build a winter hut? I see you have some forest plantings. Those are my favourite and best use of space. I am also in the PNW and have volunteers coming out of my ears. Not to mention experimenting with cuttings. Sometimes what I like to do is put a ribbon or coloured wire on prospective cuts. Then revist it and reconsider a few times. I also have some quite mature specimin. Its the lower branches that will be most difficult to replace. Also dont let branches get too long.
Your on your way man.

I did build those structures for shade, just throw a shade cloth up there for the summers. I’ve never needed a winter but here. I just put them on the ground next to the house and that seems to be ok. The only time I’ve heeled anything in was last winter with the BC. But it made a trip from a much warmer climate. Played it safe. Fancy pots are something I’ve never gotten into…..yet. I’m afraid if I do it will become a problem. Hahahahaha

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Army '00-'03, Paladins out of Ft. Riley, KS; CG '11-'14, Station Quilleut River, La Push, WA, and CGC Harriet Lane, Suffolk, VA; mediocre at both; back home in southern Colorado.

I didn't see the trash can lid. Must've missed it.

PM me if you feel the need to swap war stories. I promise you'll win.

Edit: Found it!

I lived in Suffolk VA. My mother worked for DISA over by College Drive. Ft. Monroe was where she started in her 20s.

 

[rusticana]

I did build those structures for shade, just throw a shade cloth up there for the summers. I’ve never needed a winter but here. I just put them on the ground next to the house and that seems to be ok. The only time I’ve heeled anything in was last winter with the BC. But it made a trip from a much warmer climate. Played it safe. Fancy pots are something I’ve never gotten into…..yet. I’m afraid if I do it will become a problem. Hahahahaha

Fancy pot? It could be more imagination? Also slabs. Either natural or manmade. But for the forests youll need big ones. But then theres run off. trays (drip curtains?) Ha! If you can imagine I have a few bonsai some forests nside over winter.

 

[rusticana]

And as you know the moss is readily available on the PNW. And it holds things together very nicely with a forrest planting on a slab.

 

[TrimmyWhimmy]

Ok, sooooooo, I saw this tree….. and now I own it. lol Picked up this Japanese maple, “Koto Maru”. Really small leaves, interesting growth. But this is now my most expensive tree which is way better than it being a ficus.
Has a root issue I need to deal with sooner than later and it needs to be reduced drastically to match the trunk size, but with the size of the leaves the 1.5” trunk is plenty large. Going to have to give air layers a try on it because even a pencil size truck would look ok with these leaves. Good times.
View attachment 556352View attachment 556353

Interesting variety. Looks like your pot has a free seedling as well.

 

[ShadyStump]

I lived in Suffolk VA. My mother worked for DISA over by College Drive. Ft. Monroe was where she started in her 20s.

You made me re-read that post, and I realized a mistake. We lived in Suffolk, but the base was actually in Portsmouth. I suck at names of any sort apparently. LoL

Suffolk is a nice little town. If we'd stayed longer it would've made a nice home.
We nearly settled on a little place in Waleyville, but the ex didn't like it as well as the place we settled on.

 

[ShadyStump]

Ok, sooooooo, I saw this tree….. and now I own it. lol Picked up this Japanese maple, “Koto Maru”. Really small leaves, interesting growth. But this is now my most expensive tree which is way better than it being a ficus.
Has a root issue I need to deal with sooner than later and it needs to be reduced drastically to match the trunk size, but with the size of the leaves the 1.5” trunk is plenty large. Going to have to give air layers a try on it because even a pencil size truck would look ok with these leaves. Good times.
View attachment 556352View attachment 556353

Those leaves are TINY!
Does it keep that color all season? I see an epic Midwest autumn composition with some of those air layers.

BTW, how have things been in general? We miss you when you're gone.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

You made me re-read that post, and I realized a mistake. We lived in Suffolk, but the base was actually in Portsmouth. I suck at names of any sort apparently. LoL

Suffolk is a nice little town. If we'd stayed longer it would've made a nice home.
We nearly settled on a little place in Waleyville, but the ex didn't like it as well as the place we settled on.

Oh I gotcha. I was just across from the monitor Merrimack bridge tunnel at college drive but worked in EMS in and around Portsmouth often.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Those leaves are TINY!
Does it keep that color all season? I see an epic Midwest autumn composition with some of those air layers.

BTW, how have things been in general? We miss you when you're gone.

Not sure what it’s going to do, but I’m just going to watch it do its thing this year and then make plans when I see the winter structure.
To be honest I’m doing alright, been working a ton. New job so gotta prove my worth and what not. Doing lots of work on myself, not so much on the trees.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

My one Japanese maple air layer has nice radial roots. Good tree!

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Anyone ever try to airlayer a Japanese maple branch that’s 6” thick?

 

[ShadyStump]

Anyone ever try to airlayer a Japanese maple branch that’s 6” thick?

1st, good to hear you're doing alright. Hope the job goes well.

I've seen a couple videos where someone has done it - Peter Chan of Herons Bonsai did one some time ago - but it can take years for it to develop enough roots to even come close to sustaining the new tree.
So, yeah, possible, but you'll work for it.

 

[Dysfunctional Vet]

1st, good to hear you're doing alright. Hope the job goes well.

I've seen a couple videos where someone has done it - Peter Chan of Herons Bonsai did one some time ago - but it can take years for it to develop enough roots to even come close to sustaining the new tree.
So, yeah, possible, but you'll work for it.

So you’re saying there’s a chance. I’ll have to figure out how to overwinter it but I’m going to accept that challenge. Lol
The job is going great, the sleep schedule needs work. 3 hrs a day is tough.