AusBonsai

Great setup Sqizz,

I'm very interested in your progression with these little Mels.
I recently purchased one myself and have done the opposite to you and left the roots to define the top back to just 3 branches. Wasn't sure it would survive my hard prune but looking now it has just decided to push out new buds.
I'll get mine up into a progression soon as it sprouts a bit more.
Looking forward to watching yours progress too.

Good Luck,
Kevin

Hi Kevin.

Yes well I had to work the roots initially for the obvious reason. I can see some white roots developing so I think I can cut back hard in the next month or so. I may be a little too cautious but better to take it easy with this new technique. I think it could handle both at once to be honest but not worth the risk with this Comp tree.

Good luck with yours. Look forward to seeing yours on AB

Squizz

squizzy wrote:I think this tree is my best chance of the three create entries

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That is a great tree squiz. I like it a lot, looking forward to watching this develop in/out of the comp.

This tree has had a haircut early January but doesn't seem as happy as it was. The leaves are somewhat more pale. I think there is a deficiency but I can't work out why. The other trees in the aquaponics system don't seem to be struggling as much.

squizzy wrote:This tree has had a haircut early January but doesn't seem as happy as it was. The leaves are somewhat more pale. I think there is a deficiency but I can't work out why. The other trees in the aquaponics system don't seem to be struggling as much.

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Can't help you with "why" but could it possibly be an iron deficiency?? Just a thought given the foliage colour...

Will look into it ryceman. I wonder how I would get iron into an aquaponics system without being detrimental to the fish. I have chelate somewhere in the shed. It can't remember if it's in powder or granular form.
Thanks for your thoughts.

Squizzy

squizzy wrote:Will look into it ryceman. I wonder how I would get iron into an aquaponics system without being detrimental to the fish. I have chelate somewhere in the shed. It can't remember if it's in powder or granular form.
Thanks for your thoughts.

Squizzy

That was my next question! Generally spraying with iron chelate would be the go but I have no idea how safe that is (if it is safe) with your system. On a positive the aquaponics is certainly doing great things with your other entries... Maybe this one will sort itself out too. I'm enjoying reading your posts...

G'day Sqizz,

If you want more iron in the system, feed your fish a diet high in iron, in return their poop will have more iron.
But it could just be a seasonal / species issue as my claret tops isn't at the top of its game either.
Maybe others may have noticed something similar????

Kevin

Cheers Kevin. Yeah it seems weird that it would change suddenly and not seem to effect the other plants in the system.
Might throw the fish a tbone?

Squizzy

It could be all the heat we have been having, I have been told before that Aussie natives go through a summer dormancy.

Well I must admit. I have done very little to this tree so the pressure of an update is just what was needed. I brought it to class tonight to get some shape and work on exposing some deadwood. I've still got to deal with the deficiencies.

On the pond front I lost a handful of silver perch due to a tiny split in some flexible hose. Emptied the pond in a day. I was happy that 3 survived. The truth is aquapoonics can be a pain in the arse.

Here is my update.

Squizzy

Hi Squizzy . I think this work you have just done, long term will make a great tree . I'm not sure if it will progress enough in the time frame left to really show itself off at the end of this comp but that doesn't really matter because the bones are there .I know if I had done this work at this time in my climate it would be 50/50 chance of not recovering . I worked in nurseries in Sydney when I was younger and we did get a lot of growth from August on so I'll be interested to see how much you can get out of it . What do you think are the defiences ?
Cheers Sno
I hear the trout are still biting in Lake Jindabyne .

Hi sno.

I'm not sure of the deficiencies but it's out of the system now and in its pot. It certainly went through som shock but it is showing som faint signs of life so I think it will be ok.

The aquaponic system needs to be redone and set up properly. There are plenty of things that need changing but it was fun learning. Might try and sort something out after Christmas and get it ready for some trout next winter.

Anyway here is the tree as it looks today. I think it's only going to be basic if anything come November.

Squizzy

That is a shame, but as Sno says ; in time it will come into its own.

Loving that pot squizzy

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