Shoalhaven Yamadori

[evenings]

Greetings and salutations all,

I apologise in advance if this is topic which has already been discussed. I would welcome being redirected.

Enthusiastic newbie here, in search of advice. In researching how I am to approach this newfound passion, and obtain material to practice with, I’ve come across the term “yamadori”. I understand it may be difficult for someone new to bonsai to take advantage of this technique. However, I am lucky enough to have available for exploration many hundreds of acres in the mountainous NSW Shoalhaven area.

My question is this: are there specific species which I should seek (or avoid) for various reasons? Example; they may not transplant well or do not make particularly desirable bonsai.

In my inexperienced mind I had planned to adventure the wilderness in search of ancient twisted and gnarled varieties for my harvest and transport back to Sydney for a long pampered life in a shallow pot. I know anything worthwhile isn’t easy and would really appreciate the advice of anyone who has attempted something like this in a similar location.

Many thanks in advance,

Evenings

[Olivecrazy]

Any olives around there ?? if so they are a good trees to start with as they are tuff trees

[Matthew]

ive collected port jackosn figs through cambewarra mountain ranges. Camberwarra bonsai and other informed bonsai people know where the good stuff is around there. olives are around but sparse , privett is everywhere look for something grazed by cattle. english elm as well.

[evenings]

I remember vaguely purchasing a port Jackson fig from the Camberwarra bonsai place many moons ago for my first bonsai! At the time I unfortunately wasn’t so interested in bonsai and let the hobby go. Now that I have more room and time I’m picking it back up!

The area I will be foraging is quite a way south-west of Cambewarra, but I imagine the varieties will be somewhat comparable. I shall keep my eyes peeled for olives! I guess my main question is; is there any reason why I can’t dig up just any interestingly stunted tree and expect it to willingly let me transform it into a bonsai? Or are some varieties just not going to play ball or are shunned? xD please excuse my ignorance.

[kcpoole]

It is liiegal to collect most trees without a permit, and I believe Most natives are liilegal to collect anyway.

If you stick to collection of non natives then you will unlikely get into any trouble without a permit, Depends on the Ranger's mood I suppose.

Ken

[Olivecrazy]

Very true if you collect natives from any where other then your back yard you could run into trouble but as kcpoole has said if you stick to non natives i would say they are glad to get rid of them . An remember to clean up after your self to by this i mean fill in the hole after you have removed the tree an you should be ok

[evenings]

Thanks for the advice Ken!
Fortunately I have access to private land. I had assumed it would be OK if you owned the land, I shall keep that in-mind before procuring any native types..

[GavinG]

Use the search function to find out specifics for what to dig and when. In (very) general, natives are often tricky to dig unless they are growing in or near water, as the roots tend to go deep, and there's nothing to keep it alive when you dig it up. Figs are easy, dig around Sept/Oct, exotics late winter. Dig little boring stuff first, to get your techniques to work.

Gavin

[evenings]

I'm starting to realise bonsai is 95% thought and 5% action xD I may have to bridle this enthusiasm and formate a plan.
I think step one is scouting and photos and marking out a small handful of promising characters and research their types and suitability.
Step two, maybe cut around them to sever some of the longer roots to promote new root growth in hopes of a more manageable healthy rootball... research research research xD

[kcpoole]

Gday Evenings. Yep you are quite correct. Go slow and research is the best way to sucessfully collect trees.

Initially, Take only one and confirm that you can sucessfully collect rather than getting a heap and having them all fail. As you have private land then you are in no real rush I guess.

Ken

[evenings]

Thanks Ken,

I plan to make a trip down there the week after-next.
The idea is to take a bunch of photos to identify which species i can actually get my hands on.. and then (of the types i find) reasearch which may be the most desirable.

My next question is thus! ..how would you reccomend i tackle actually identifying the species? By photographing the foliage and comparing with information online?

Thanks again,

evenings

[Craig]

If the trees you want are on private land then you have a huge advantage right off the bat. As you say learn what's there and how they grow(habitat), you are best off try only to dig trees that back bud fairly well because alot of trees collected are sparse and need the foliage brought back closer to the trunk. Being private land you can do this before collecting by trimming back branches and forcing some backbudding, do this more than once before digging if needed. Basically you can start training them in the ground before digging, learn about them and when the time is right for the tree and yourself ,try digging one or two out. Best of luck, it's a long journey

[shibui]

Hi Evenings,
Identifying plants can be quite difficult for beginners. As well as taking a photo of leaves take one of the bark and any flowers or fruit/ seedpods. The normal habit can also be a good clue (does it grow as a single stem, shrub, tree, tall and straight or twisted and spreading, etc?) When you find a promising small plant, look around the area for an adult with similar leaves, etc that could be the same species and check for adult bark, flower/fruit, leaves and habit that could provide clues.
You can check online if you have some idea of the genus or family. For NSW, http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm is a great searchable database. The spatial search lets you find all the species recorded for an area or district.
If you are still stuck try posting on Ausbonsai - plenty of willing helpers here.

[evenings]

Hi all,

Also, thanks Craig & shibui. Noted and will do!

I’m excited about my venture this weekend. I’m planning to stay strong and find and mark and start training a small handful of trees on Saturday. However.. realistically I know I’m going to fold like a house of cards and need to take at-least one plant with me to tinker with and assuage my over-eagerness. This will also serve as a tester before I attempt to relocate something more promising.

In preparation I would welcome advice on soil preparation for a suitable training pot. Collection location is mountainous Shoalhaven with rich red soil. I’ve read a little about seasol and training boxes. Looking forward to your wisdom and suggestions.

/refresh refresh

Many thanks in advance,

evenings

[kcpoole]

Gidday Evenings
I am also this weekend, going to scout out a new collecting spot i have found.

Different trees from Natives and exotics. I will probably collect one of each If i can to ensure i have the after care plans ready for late winter collecting.
None will be too large so will go into plastic pots with my Diatomite / Zeolite mix, and will add a little Coir peat as well.

Initial water in well with seasol. and then water with Seasol every few days for a month. No fertilizer until well on the way with new growth and even then only Liquid ferts till summer.

Ken