Swamp White Oak

[Thelorax]

I collected 3 White Oak or Swamp White Oaks on March 20th. They are growing like crazy in a soil mix that I learned from Ben Kirkland of Appalachian Bonsai. I’m going to just let them grow for a year and do some pruning next spring. My main concern with them is the way the bases were forme. They almost grow in a raft style with all the roots emerging from the far end. I’m hoping with new root growth I can reduce the size of the base and get some nice nebari. I’m feeding with 15-9-12. Any tips would be appreciate.

 

[Housguy]

Leaves are pretty big, will they ramify down?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@Thelorax
I liked them. Nice.

@Housguy
Branch ramification will dramatically reduce leaf size. Three or more degrees of branching are needed to get good leaf reduction, but the leaves should reduce to less than 2 inches (5 cm). Getting branches to branch will take a few years. Grow out, cut back, grow out, cut back. One or 2 cycles per year, for a number of years.

 

[Thelorax]

Leaves are pretty big, will they ramify down?

I know. They are gigantic right now! Cant wait to see them reduced.

 

[Quesadiaz24]

I collected 3 White Oak or Swamp White Oaks on March 20th. They are growing like crazy in a soil mix that I learned from Ben Kirkland of Appalachian Bonsai. I’m going to just let them grow for a year and do some pruning next spring. My main concern with them is the way the bases were forme. They almost grow in a raft style with all the roots emerging from the far end. I’m hoping with new root growth I can reduce the size of the base and get some nice nebari. I’m feeding with 15-9-12. Any tips would be appreciate.

Thanks for posting. I just acquired three swamp oak seedlings (likely around 3-4 years old) on the cheap, and they are sitting in some pretty horrible soil (mostly clay, not well draining...contemplating repotting in late summer/early fall)....I'm curious of the soil mix you learned from Ben Kirkland, as I would like these to grow "like crazy" as well