AusBonsai

Thanks Jarad. This is what i did

Took the tree out of the pot and cleaned up all the old soil with a rack. And sorry but I am not sure if that qualifies as being "Root Disturbance".

I then used a little root hormone around the trunk near where that big root sits. I thought that would get me some more roots for a better nebari?

I then repotted it in a colander with a mix consisting of Pumice, Perlite, Zeolite and Bark up to where the root hormone was applied.

I will keep it inside at night time for a week or so till recovery.

KIRKY wrote:My figs have already slowed down. I'm giving him advice for Melbourne.
Mine sit on concrete in full sun all day every day. Just for the warmth.
Cheers
Kirky

Never suggested otherwise but I am surprised that in melbourne the weather is already adversely affecting figs.
the BOM says that overnight temps are just around 15 now in and that is generally the minimum to repot at.

In Sydney I still have 2 months of good growing left before i worry about colder nights slowing them down enough to avoid repotting.

Ken

kcpoole wrote: Never suggested otherwise but I am surprised that in melbourne the weather is already adversely affecting figs.
the BOM says that overnight temps are just around 15 now in and that is generally the minimum to repot at.

All my figs are still pushing hard. Now admittedly they live in a poly tunnel but i am still defoliating, repotting and pruning hard.

Well if I had a poly tunnel life would be sweet for my figs too.
Overnight temp last night was 14, tonight 14 tomorrow. 13 this will become the norm for me gradually getting colder occasional 15-16 that is not enough to get figs doing much. The advice given was from years of experience thats all, also checking where member requesting advice are from.
I have a few trees already showing Autumn colour even though day time temps have been in mid to high 20s low 30s.
I'm not in the hills just outside CBD. The trees tell me I just listen.
Cheers
Kirky

Yep and i am not having a shot at you Kirky. This is what is happening at my place 1 and a 1/2 hours out of Melbourne. Micro climates means a lot. Figs not in the poly tunnel are still pushing also and no colour on my tree's yet. Crazy weather this year. A mild Summer to boot

Not just this summer Bodhi. Been like this for awhile for me. We have club night to bring in Autumn trees by the time it is on the club program mine are half naked their glory almost finished. Haven't been able to workout why? Just adjusted to the flow. Weeping Cherry in the garden is already displaying some branches golden yellow. Some Plums in pots have already started dropping leaves, others are tinting red. Even the Wisteria is not as green as it was.
Times are a changing.
Cheers
Kirky

it's very interesting to note the differences in locations. We have a local wattle here that differs slightly from ones 20 mins down the road

Yep, half my Pin Oak is showing signs of colour, yet 10 minutes down the road the trees are still lush green.
Cheers
Kirky

Guys,

This is all bery interesting information. Do you know if the weather here has always had that effect where we micro climates or is it something thats started happening in recent times?

For me only the last 5-6 years. Before that my trees were in balance with everyone elses.
Now I'm ahead by 4-6 weeks.
Cheers
Kirky

Interesting. Have you started doing something different in those last 5-6 years. Have you brought in any new trees you didnt have before or any change in the neighborhood? Just curious

I have done nothing different same trees I've had for over 10 years. I found I was having to repot earlier. And trees started shutting down earlier.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:I have done nothing different same trees I've had for over 10 years. I found I was having to repot earlier. And trees started shutting down earlier.
Cheers
Kirky

Interesting observation, Has there been any environmental changes ?
ie Larger buildings, Removal of local bush and replace with open ground ( schools or parks?)

For me my environment is warmer than it used to be in winter so i can now maintain growth for longer. No changes that i am aware of as I am in and established suburb, but a motorbike rider every day, it is definitely milder in Sydney winters than it was 15 years ago.
I used to get up to 10 frosts every year, but now rarely see one, Used to get up to 10 days down to zero or -2 Deg and last 2 years never got below +3.
Ken

No change of that sort Ken, been here 25 years. Bonsai ing just over 10. When I started I was repotting along with the seasons. Then found that if I didn't start repotting earlier n earlier it was just too late to wait for seasons.
Yea, I remember getting up to frost on the lawns where you could here the ice crystals crunch under your feet. And fog so thick you couldn't see the trafic lights across the road. Winters are definitely milder. I can't understand why the trees start shutting down so early it doesn't make sense. Its kind of like an early to bed early to rise situation.
Just finished watering outside one of my potted plums is bare already its going to be 30 today with an overnight 14.
They should still be going strong but they have shut down. As I said same every year 5-6 years now.
They'll be in full leaf probably come August. Pretty much everything gets repotted June latest July very early August. If I don't get my Pines done by early August latest they have to wait till next season. Not worth the risk.
Otherwise trees are healthy, what can you do early to be early to rise
Cheers
Kirky

Kirky,

Have you changed your soil mix in any way? Even the quantity of each substance?