AusBonsai

Ryceman3 wrote:Now that's what I call a root prune! Never tried the plastic disc underneath either so I'll be keen to see how that comes out, I like the idea behind it. Is that 100% diatomite you have potted it in??
The extra movement in the trunk below the surface was a bonus... Looking good!

Hey Ryceman,

Not 100% although it does look it in that photo. I hadn't watered it yet so the diatomite dust is hiding the pine bark nuggets, its probably 50/50. I use the pre mixed stuff from Bonsai Roots. I believe it's made up by a member at the Vic Native Bonsai Club. Seems like a great little substrate to me although I'm still quite new to Bonsai.

chriswaghorn wrote:I wouldn't have the guts to root prune that hard!!

But I do have very little experience.

Haha Chris I too have limited experience with root pruning / repotting but I guess there is only 1 way to learn how far you can push it right? I'm guessing it will be fine being a Chinese Elm although time will tell.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Pearcy001 wrote: Hey Ryceman,

Not 100% although it does look it in that photo. I hadn't watered it yet so the diatomite dust is hiding the pine bark nuggets, its probably 50/50. I use the pre mixed stuff from Bonsai Roots. I believe it's made up by a member at the Vic Native Bonsai Club. Seems like a great little substrate to me although I'm still quite new to Bonsai.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Cool, thanks for the reply. With the repotting etc I've been doing lately, I am becoming a bit obsessed about mixes and what I should be using - it's a minefield (I too am not that experienced with all that). 50/50 Diatomite/Pine nuggets seems like a good ratio.

Ha! Great point Pearcy, only one way to learn.

When you use a potting mix such as you have are there nutrients in the diatomite, the pine bark, both, or does the plant rely on nutrients from external fertilisers etc?

chriswaghorn wrote:When you use a potting mix such as you have are there nutrients in the diatomite, the pine bark, both, or does the plant rely on nutrients from external fertilisers etc?

No nutrients that I am aware of Chris but maybe the more experienced can chime in? It's just a nice draining mix as far as I'm concerned. I'll fertalise fortnightly once it's acrive, cycling between 3 different ferts to try cover off everything.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Interested to see how your Elm develops over time. Thanks for your post.

This poor little guy seems to be frozen in time.

Still waiting on buds to open on this one, while my other corky bark entry shot at the start of November. When I first cut the roots back hard I got a slight opening of buds but no extension of shoots due to a lack of energy I guess. You can still see that half open leaf sitting about.





This guys still alive and kicking, but doesn't seem to be interested in the timeframes of the competition haha.

I do believe it will survive but time will tell. When it does decide to wake up it will be a test to see how much I can develop the tree in the remaining months.

I'll see where the tree is at next update and decide if it needs to be pulled then.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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Buds finally opened on this one.

Think I chopped the roots back so hard it sulked for a while.



I don't like my chances of getting this one up and going in time but we'll see how we go.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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This one has had all sorts of issues one after the other since this comp started, major flop. Here's a photo anyway. As you can see the potting angle has severely changed. This was after strong winds blew it off the bench and out of its pot. I guess it just goes to show how these guys will continue to survive.



Cheers,
Pearcy.

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The green on the soil / rocks? Is that normal? Algae perhaps? Will that be an issue with the tree? I only ask as I found it on one of my trees recently too.


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banong wrote:The green on the soil / rocks? Is that normal? Algae perhaps? Will that be an issue with the tree? I only ask as I found it on one of my trees recently too.


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Hi Banong.

As far as I'm aware Algae is not detrimental to the tree, although it can invite fungal gnats after a while.

Algae grow in soil that is always moist. As the soil dries out the algae will start to die out. It can be caused by over- watering, closely spaced plants (not enough light getting through), or inadequate ventilation causing high humidity.

If you water at night try changing to a morning watering schedule, so as the soil can somewhat dry out throughout the day.

Also don't forget it's going into winter now so you won't need to water as much. In summer I water daily but in winter I sometimes only water once a week, it all depends on the tree species, how much foliage it has, the substrate it's planted in, the amount of sun it gets through winter and how much rain etc.

Cheers,
Pearcy.



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I find that many of my trees that are in Diatomite mixes and Kanuma get this thru winter.
i water everyday most of the year so agree just the substrate staying a little too wet thru winter

Ken

Awesome info. Thanks for clearing that up Percy and Ken.


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Update time.

This one has struggled constantly to thrive, especially after it fell off my bench at one stage. I reported it today and roots were only thriving on one side.

Fingers crossed it can get some vigour going, so I can attempt to put out some form of branch structure in the next 3 months.

I need longer for this one haha.

Cheers,
Pearcy.

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KIRKY wrote:Hi Pearcy, you should be able to use all the root cutting to start new plants.
Cheers
Kirky

Firstly great little elm look forward to seeing the root development .
Secondly I know this may be off topic anf I apologise if it is in the wrong spot so please remove if it is .
Thought id show this elm of mine developed from a root cutting .

dibly_w wrote:

KIRKY wrote:Hi Pearcy, you should be able to use all the root cutting to start new plants.
Cheers
Kirky

Firstly great little elm look forward to seeing the root development .
Secondly I know this may be off topic anf I apologise if it is in the wrong spot so please remove if it is .
Thought id show this elm of mine developed from a root cutting .

very nice root cutting forest,
Percy, I'm sure you would have a few branches to select from now.
keen to see how the little elm progress over the next few years