Question for Judy...
- Thread starter Cadillactaste
- Start date
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
I don't know this particular plant, so if there is something that a creeper owner knows about this, please speak up!!!
That said, I'm pretty sure these are easy and hardy plants, and almost weed like as most vines are. So I'd go with the same advice as most trees, and do it at bud swelling time. If we get some frosts after you have done this, just move it back into the storage and do the two-step until warmer weather arrives in full. (you do know the two-step, right?) A seedling heat mat can help to get the plant established quickly after repotting in our climate, with it's spring swing temps.
That said, I'm pretty sure these are easy and hardy plants, and almost weed like as most vines are. So I'd go with the same advice as most trees, and do it at bud swelling time. If we get some frosts after you have done this, just move it back into the storage and do the two-step until warmer weather arrives in full. (you do know the two-step, right?) A seedling heat mat can help to get the plant established quickly after repotting in our climate, with it's spring swing temps.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
No I don't know the two-step. Is that the heat mat and protecting from extreme temps?
Appreciate your advice...thinking the same thing as it's a vine and almost weed like as you stated.
Dav4
Drop Branch Murphy
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Bonsai two-step = taking your frost sensitive, foliaged tree out of protective enclosure in the AM to receive as much sun as possible during the day, then placing it back into the protective enclosure in the pm to prevent frost damage that night.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks Dave!
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Exactly! I asked if you knew it because sometimes we use terms that we think everyone knows the meanings of...
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks guys! I do feel this is the direction to go with this...so it isn't fighting the overall appearance of the tree. You've given me good food to chew on. I feel more sure of myself now.
Darlene,
You didn't ask for wiring advice, but I'll give you some tips:
See that first big bend where the trunk changes direction from right to left? Your wire is on the INSIDE of that curve. You want it to be on the OUTSIDE of the curve. When the wire is on the outside, it helps to prevent the branch from snapping when you bend it.
You used two wires. Generally, if two wires are needed, we lay them right next to each other, running parallel and not crossing. You didn't cross, but having the wires placed as you do really makes the tree look bound up.
Now, there are times when wiring like you did is appropriate. And that's when a lot of curves are being put in. (Lots of "outside curves".).
Go ahead and trim off the extra inch of wire sticking out 3/4 the way up.
It looks like the wire in the front is second-hand wire. There's some twists in it right above the soil line. It doesn't affect the functionality, but it is unsightly. Choose a better piece of wire that's going to be right at the front, or cut off the portion that's gnarled up.
Wiring is at the heart of bonsai. Part of the art. Yes, it has a purpose, but a skillfully wired tree has beauty in the wiring, too. It takes a lot of practice.
You didn't ask for wiring advice, but I'll give you some tips:
See that first big bend where the trunk changes direction from right to left? Your wire is on the INSIDE of that curve. You want it to be on the OUTSIDE of the curve. When the wire is on the outside, it helps to prevent the branch from snapping when you bend it.
You used two wires. Generally, if two wires are needed, we lay them right next to each other, running parallel and not crossing. You didn't cross, but having the wires placed as you do really makes the tree look bound up.
Now, there are times when wiring like you did is appropriate. And that's when a lot of curves are being put in. (Lots of "outside curves".).
Go ahead and trim off the extra inch of wire sticking out 3/4 the way up.
It looks like the wire in the front is second-hand wire. There's some twists in it right above the soil line. It doesn't affect the functionality, but it is unsightly. Choose a better piece of wire that's going to be right at the front, or cut off the portion that's gnarled up.
Wiring is at the heart of bonsai. Part of the art. Yes, it has a purpose, but a skillfully wired tree has beauty in the wiring, too. It takes a lot of practice.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks Adair...I agree it's pretty rough wiring job...it came from the eBay seller that way.
Since I'm not sure when it was wired...or how well these hold up after wire removed...it's not my main concern right now. But I can cut the top off as suggested. Hmmm...
EBay seller?
I hope the tree does well for you and it lives. It appears to be potted "high".
To be perfectly honest, I would not purchase a tree wired this poorly. This shows a low skill level, and I would assume an equally low skill level with soils, potting, etc.
I hope you get lucky and it does well for you.
EBay seller?
I hope the tree does well for you and it lives. It appears to be potted "high".
To be perfectly honest, I would not purchase a tree wired this poorly. This shows a low skill level, and I would assume an equally low skill level with soils, potting, etc.
I hope you get lucky and it does well for you.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Well...I was looking for a blue pot...the tree and pot together is what I would have paid for the pot...so it was something I was worth risking. It grows well in our area...another reason...it's like a weed. You have trouble killing it.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Adair I only have bougainvillea potting soil...fast draining organic substrate on hand...should I top the roots with that for now...or leave it? I'm going to order some substrate from Steve.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Back in my early days......
I kept one INSIDE. In POTTING SOIL. With NO DRAINAGE. ....
and it did well..
You should be fine.!
Sorce
I kept one INSIDE. In POTTING SOIL. With NO DRAINAGE. ....
and it did well..
You should be fine.!
Sorce
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
So your saying...to top it with the bougainvillea substrate?
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
Piling more soil on your current soil really serves no purpose for you right now. You'll be repotting in the spring, so it will just give you trouble trying not to have it wash out of the pot when you water it in the meantime. And no roots will grow into it while it's dormant anyway. Although I do know that roots do grow during dormancy in certain conditions/temps, that is saying that current roots will grow, it won't pop new roots in new spots during dormancy.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks Judy...I was along the same thinking as I waited at the bus stop this afternoon.
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Very true! Lol I was looking for a deeper blue pot for a lilac one day. It's not ready for one yet...but I thought finding a blue pot that is deep for stage 2 would work nicely. This pot is a nice deep pot. The lilac will find a bulb pot that is deeper for stage 1.
Though it would be fun to play around with if the creeper survives...I think of it more as a weed. They are all over the place in my neck of the woods. The pot should last a good while.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
I'm just saying as long as you do things mostly correct, it'll live!
I do like the start you have there.
Sorce
Cadillactaste
Neagari Gal
Thanks...yes, the weed appeals to me. Just recently learned it wasn't poison oak. (I'm a country girl too. Embarrassing!)
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