Underdogs Hinoki Challenger

[Underdog]

Thanks for all the input guys. I plan to learn to graft on some of the bottom stuff before removing anything next spring. If it works out then I'll try bringing foliage in on the upper branches this way. I agree much of the bottom needs to go eventually.

The #3 branch is disproportionately larger than the others adding credence to Vance's suggestion but, not very flexible to pull up as a future apex or down . I picture this tree without it if I would kill it. Uggg

I'm trying to do this tree justice as best I can. Baby steps as I improve my skills and knowledge. I think this will complete my 5th year and 6th spring coming up.

Thanks again.

 

[Vance Wood]

Good luck. Just remember; Hinokis will not wait for you to catch up, they will continue to grow and move away from any opportunity you may perceive today. Just saying, this is a difficult tree for those who think they know what they are doing enough they are not afraid to take chances. You need to look at ways to bend stuff that seems too stiff to move.

 

[Underdog]

Just saying, this is a difficult tree for those who think they know what they are doing enough they are not afraid to take chances.

This is not me. I know enough to know I don't know much at all. I am being overly cautious and not chopping anything, even if I should be. Can't put it back on.

 

[canoeguide]

This won't really add anything to the discussion at hand, but: this is one of the more interesting threads in the forums that I've read. It begins (more-or-less) with the horticultural side of just getting this thing healthy, and is now at a much finer discussion of future styling. Personally, I can best *see* @Orion_metalhead's idea in #59. https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/underdogs-hinoki-challenger.35828/post-698458

 

[NoTopSkies]

Three years into this hobby and this is my nemesis tree. I feel it's turning the corner but I'm not driving...
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'
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I like the wooden pot. I plan to start doing this for mine. A local new acquaintance is doing it this way.

 

[Forsoothe!]

GIGO.

 

[Underdog]

First time I've felt like it could stand some punching and thinning.

 

[Underdog]

 

[Kanorin]

Thanks for the honest write-ups of your failures and successes! I just picked up a Hinoki this year and am a little intimidated by their growth habits. Watching this thread.

 

[Underdog]

No much change to report. Survived winter after a hard blow-over last November. Split a branch I repaired w/GOOP and wire. Seems to be fine for now.

 

[Underdog]

This one didn't appreciate winter this year. Not real sure but, guessing too much wind. I mulched it in the garden instead of under the bench like usual. The brown bits aren't brittle and crumbly. Some have green tips. Any ideas?

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

This one didn't appreciate winter this year. Not real sure but, guessing too much wind. I mulched it in the garden instead of under the bench like usual. The brown bits aren't brittle and crumbly. Some have green tips. Any ideas?

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Do you apply any type of anti fungal and/or insecticide on a regular basis?

 

[Underdog]

Do you apply any type of anti fungal and/or insecticide on a regular basis?

Only last year I started using Bionide Infuse. one application last fall. Thanks

 

[Japonicus]

This one didn't appreciate winter this year. Not real sure but, guessing too much wind. I mulched it in the garden instead of under the bench like usual. The brown bits aren't brittle and crumbly. Some have green tips. Any ideas?

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So my golden hinoki always does this, and the green tips drives me nuts
because the brown stays brown until you cut it out…I think.
The Sekka does this too and handled similarly.
I cover the soil with a grocery bag and start at the top working through
the foliage removing all that is dry and crumbles or pulls out easily.
Then I go back through with the fine point sheers and remove brown, back to a good
green spot. What is dead will eventually dry and wither. You may wait and see how that goes
but you need to take the foliage back to what it was in post 68 and 69.

I just applied the Bonide myself to all my trees.

You have a very confusing branch(es) at the bottom right that will need attention this year

 

[Japonicus]

This is after I cleaned out what was dried up. It is fine. It will look fine in a couple of months, probably by end of May.

If its not dry try leaving it where theres still green at the tips. You can prune up through August if necessary to overcome any legginess that results from this, cutting back to good foliage. If there's no good foliage to cut back to, sorry about your luck.

This one is quite similar, all my trees were under my sun room protected FWIW.

 

[Underdog]

You have a very confusing branch(es) at the bottom right that will need attention this year

I attempted some approach grafts this year with some of the long looping lower branches in an attempt to bring in the foliage. I very much agree w/you on this point but, nothing to fill that hole on the right just yet.
I think it's time next year for a repot as it didn't really thrive this year. I need to address many flaws but have been waiting on vigor. Maybe back in a box or basket for a couple years? Needs an angle change and some major decisions made. Will see if the grafts take.