Learning about Larch.

[Matthew]

Coming along really nicely! Might have to get myself a Larch. How do you think they would they go as shohin size?

Regards,
Steven

Steven

I have one as a shohin that ill post in the coming days . it really fills the pot with roots FAST!. I suspect Sydney might be too mild in winter for them . They really need a dormant period of extended cold . Euro larch even more so than japanese i believe .

[bodhidharma]

They really need a dormant period of extended cold . Euro larch even more so than japanese i believe .

100% Matthew, if they do not get a dormant period they stress and die. Actually, the colder the better.

[bodhidharma]

I am pleased with the branching after pruning and may be a little early in its development for wiring. Larch stay supple for quite a while so i will let it grow for another season or two and look at it again. It has also given me a branch on the left (which i appreciate) and i will see if i can accelerate its growth with foliar feeding. The tree is exactly 500mm tall.So not a huge tree but still impressive.

Coming along really nicely! Might have to get myself a Larch. How do you think they would they go as shohin size?

I think it will make a very ramified and believable shohin Steven, and faster than you might expect.

[peterb]

Hi Bodhi
I was given 2 young larches not sure which, last year and decided to do a twin trunk so potted them up, but 1 had very poor roots to start with and didn't survive the adelaide summer. The other 1 has done quite well except for some leaf burn. So it appears that they can grow in adelaide as well , although I keep it in dappled shade. Hope I can get mine to look as good as yours in time to come , yours looks champion.
regards
peterb

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Bodhi
I was given 2 young larches not sure which, last year and decided to do a twin trunk so potted them up, but 1 had very poor roots to start with and didn't survive the adelaide summer. The other 1 has done quite well except for some leaf burn. So it appears that they can grow in adelaide as well , although I keep it in dappled shade. Hope I can get mine to look as good as yours in time to come , yours looks champion.
regards
peterb

1 year alive is not a result. The tree may/will probably lose vigour and die in 2 to 4 years due to lack of cold, unless you are in the Adelaide hills for instance.

Grant

[Elmar]

This may sound silly, but could you 'fridge' them to simulate the cold? Something like a glass front fridge... but would you need light?


Cheers
Elmar

[peterb]

Hi Grant
I'm not quite in the hills but in the upper foothills. it's a little colder than on the plains and they went dormant for about amonth last winter just after i got them . Do you think that's enough or not. Could they have dropped their needles as a result of been moved . If that's not going to work i'll see if there's anybody up in the hills that wants it.
regards
peterb

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Grant
I'm not quite in the hills but in the upper foothills. it's a little colder than on the plains and they went dormant for about amonth last winter just after i got them . Do you think that's enough or not. Could they have dropped their needles as a result of been moved . If that's not going to work i'll see if there's anybody up in the hills that wants it.
regards
peterb

If it is a Japanese larch it may stand a chance but if it is European larch then I think it will die quickly rather than slowly.

Hard to tell apart; the Japanese larch likes plenty of water and can grow quite quickly, the European larch has smaller needles and is less vigorous.

Grant

[peterb]

Hi Grant
The needles on it are quite long and appear a little unkempt, would you possibly be able to identify it if I post a photo of it or would that be a bit tricky. As far as water goes i've tried to water it the same as my junipers but i have sprayed the foliage often with no ill effects . Thanks for the assistance
regards
peterb

[bodhidharma]

This may sound silly, but could you 'fridge' them to simulate the cold? Something like a glass front fridge... but would you need light?

I guess you could but it begs the question, buy a fridge for your Bonsai tree and the associated costs? I would not bother.

but 1 had very poor roots to start with and didn't survive the adelaide summer.

The roots on larch are very different to what we are used to. They look dead and, if not for studying Larch, i would have cut them off and consequently would have killed the tree. My Larch are dormant for four months and take a few weeks to wake up.
The only way to find your answer is to keep it growing and do all the right things and you will have your answer in a few years.

[Elmar]

Haha! You're not thinking BIG enough, Bodhi... It would have other purposes... In summer![BEER MUG]


Cheers
Elmar

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Grant
The needles on it are quite long and appear a little unkempt, would you possibly be able to identify it if I post a photo of it or would that be a bit tricky. As far as water goes i've tried to water it the same as my junipers but i have sprayed the foliage often with no ill effects . Thanks for the assistance
regards
peterb

Sounds like the japanese larch.

Grant

[bodhidharma]

In its new home and very, very healthy

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi Bodhi,

Wow, I had forgotten all about this thread. Your tree is going along nicely, well done! I'll read the rest of the thread and catch up on the last 3 years see what the others have been doing and when I get a chance I'll put up some pics of a few of mine and some more info.

Cheers,
Mojo

[bodhidharma]

The Larch is moving along nicely and has given me a lot more secondary and tertiary branching. It is just starting to wake up. I have pruned it and am sweating on the little branch on the lower left to power along. I will foliar feed it a lot during the grow season to see if i can help it along.