Lorapetalum ‘Chinese Fringe’ urbanadori questions

[revolution]

My customers are redoing their landscape here in Northern CA Zone 9. I was able to give these a go rather than throw out to trash. There trunks chops pictured were 30-40 year old hedges that were going to the scrap pile. I removed most foliage and looked for taper, movement, interest and discarded the rest. These are some areas that have a few buds on viable branches and i left a few twigs still in leaf. Both have deadwood features and i thought they would make good bonsai specimens. After research on the back end of this project im seeing that A- lorapetalum are used as bonsai and B- they do not back bud well on old wood, like their roots disturbed. I was able to get 20” dia root balls 6-8 deep. I removed larger woody roots and was left with an extensive feeder root system. I planted them in huge whiskey barrel liners drilled for good air exchange in a high quality potting mix am mended heavily with pumice and pearlite. The hedged were still in leaf but dormit Here in zone 9. Lorapetalums will be bloominh real soon where I live. My hopes are that with all the roots i was able to save...the timing of collection and good mojo...that these will back bud profusely. Pipe dream? Thoughts from the peanut gallery....experience with species welcome.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

It looks like you did everything right. Keep 'em moist, afternoon shade. Wait and see what happens. Can't say definitely yes or no, but you did the right steps.

 

[JudyB]

One thing I know about these is they very much hate root work.

 

[Michael P]

Pretty mottled bark!

 

[Shibui]

I've dug several of these from garden makeovers. All had radical root reduction when dug them. All have survived though a couple were slow to recover. Over here there is no problem with back buds on the trunks though maybe not as prolific as some species. These seem to be real survivors.
Be prepared to do battle with root suckers coming up where these were removed. The keep appearing for a couple of years after the trees are taken out.

 

[electronfusion]

Ok, a year later, what do they look like? Alive?

 

[revolution]

Yes, all grew aggressively and were cut back late fall. I anticipate flowers early spring.

Ok, a year later, what do they look like? Alive?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Outstanding, it worked. Nice fat trunk for a Loropetalum.

 

[DeepSouthBonsai]

Any chance at all for these that had no leaves left?