How to prune a flat top African Acacia. Advice please

[avz10]

I have bought an African Flat-top Acacia tree (Acacia tortilis)

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I need to prune it tonight to transport it.

Any advice please where I should prune?

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Thanks!

[kcpoole]

I would chop above the 3rd Branch, and then wire each of them up at about 45 Deg to get the shape happening.

Ken

[avz10]

Thanks Ken

I have taken it out of the container. Should I replant in a relatively big pot? and what about indoors and outdoors- moving it from dry heat to cold winter in Johannesburg- 0-5 degrees at night, up to 16 degrees during the day.

Thanks

[Craig]

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBAS ... 000139.HTM

http://www.winrock.org/fnrm/factnet/fac ... tilis.html

[kcpoole]

Thanks Ken

I have taken it out of the container. Should I replant in a relatively big pot? and what about indoors and outdoors- moving it from dry heat to cold winter in Johannesburg- 0-5 degrees at night, up to 16 degrees during the day.

Thanks

your temps seem similar to ours here ( maybe colder at night tho) I have acacia ( our Wattyl) out in the weather all year round with no ill effects.

Unless you get frosts, I woul leave them out if possible as i think they shuuld be reasonably cold tolerant being native to you.

Ken

[LLK]

I have acacia ( our Wattyl) out in the weather all year round with no ill effects.

To avz10: A slip of the keyboard. "Wattyl" is a brand of paint. Our Acacia's go by the common name of "wattle", as that is what their branches were used for by the early settlers. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_and_daub

If you are afraid of too big a contrast between the former location of your tree and the climate of Johannesburg, why not give it some protection to start with, and acclimatize it gradually to its new location?
You've got nothing to lose.
And take advantage of the websites posted by Craig, they look most interesting and informative.
Maybe some of the other members from S.Africa have a few useful pointers.

Lisa

[avz10]

Thanks for all the advice.

I think I will keep it in my under cover area with the sun roof, as some of the nights the temperature moves to 0 degrees and then move it out in August.

Kind regards

Albie

[Andrew Legg]

Albie,

Acacias we get here are quite different to what the Aussies call Acacias. Just be carefull about that. I am not an expert on Acacias by a long stretch, but one thing I can tell you is that their root structure is not strong, and does not like too much disturbance. Until the tree has become more established, I'd keep it in a reasonably deep pot and after potting it, secure it to ensure that it does not wobble around in the soil. A few weeks back I chopped an Acacia galpinii right down to the trunck with no branches. It is budding back like crazy. If you really want to get the Piernief style going you may want to chop lower than your current branching. Do so at your own risk!

With all respect to the people here on Ausbonsai, I really think you should be asking questions about plants indegenous to SA at your local club. You are more likely to get more accurate advice. Some, like olives we have in common, and you'll get very good advice here along with other typical bonsai species like pine, junipers, elms ficus etc etc.

Cheers,

Andrew

[GerhardGerber]

With all respect to the people here on Ausbonsai, I really think you should be asking questions about plants indegenous to SA at your local club. You are more likely to get more accurate advice. Some, like olives we have in common, and you'll get very good advice here along with other typical bonsai species like pine, junipers, elms ficus etc etc.

Hi Andrew

I understand your sentiment, but please keep in mind (as far as I know) there are no South African online forums, at least not of this caliber, but we do have more in common with you (ausies) than on US or EU forums, and as such this forum will draw users from Southern Africa.....and they can indeed help with replies and advice.

@AVZ - I would not chop anything yet, let it grow first.
Regarding a pot.....don't know, there might be different opinions about this, but I would not go for a too deep pot. My reasoning is you SHOULD at some point chop the tap root, but this is very dangerous to do on Acacias, even though some do it succesfully. The alternative is to make sure the root never goes too deep, which it will in a deep pot.
Keep in mind most acacias tend to grow into that shape, and looking at the leaf size there are better species to work with - too get those leaves in scale will mean a large bonsai....

BTW.....I saw an article recently that Australian experts were lobying for "exclusive rights" to the Acacia name, wish I could remember the details but it sounds like there was quite a stink about it

Cheers
Gerhard

[Andrew Legg]

With all respect to the people here on Ausbonsai, I really think you should be asking questions about plants indegenous to SA at your local club. You are more likely to get more accurate advice. Some, like olives we have in common, and you'll get very good advice here along with other typical bonsai species like pine, junipers, elms ficus etc etc.

Hi Andrew

I understand your sentiment, but please keep in mind (as far as I know) there are no South African online forums, at least not of this caliber, but we do have more in common with you (ausies) than on US or EU forums, and as such this forum will draw users from Southern Africa.....and they can indeed help with replies and advice.

Cheers
Gerhard

Howzit Gerhard,

For very species specific info I think Ausbonsai is the wrong place for South African specific species questions. I have no doubt in my mind that there is a huge amount of value to be found on this site, and from the Aussies that call it home. There is a wealth of wisdom, but as much as I would not be able to answer questions on the intricacies of Mellalucia, I'd expect Aussies not to be able to answer on Acacias (at least our type) (which of course is the real type ). It is a pity that we don't have a forum of an equivalent level in our country, but I guess that will come with time. In the mean time, and for species we have in common, this is an excellent place to be, and there is are wealth of knowledgable and helpful people to be found here!

[GerhardGerber]

(which of course is the real type )

I was hesitant to register here (just for the sake of seeing the pics), but I have to say between IBC, BonsaiNut and AusBonsai I've got 3 great resources that will answer 99% of my question.
I check all 3 forums daily, but (now) I tend to ask my (SA) native questions here.....seems to work better.

Cheers
Gerhard