AusBonsai

I'm trying to remember if the hormones in the toothpick method would affect each other through the wood of the trunk.

I think that double stacking a root hormone on a airlayer would be less effective than if they were worked on separately. I can't quite think of the mechanisms but despite the area application of the hormones on the toothpick the hormones travel through the plant to more than the area its applied to, and its the mechanical force of the toothpick that stimulates the root growth.

You'll note I haven't really answered the question. Only suggested that one toothpick method be applied at a time. Would this fit in with your experiences?

I need a cup of tea after that effort of in recall.

time8theuniverse wrote:I'm trying to remember if the hormones in the toothpick method would affect each other through the wood of the trunk.

I think that double stacking a root hormone on a airlayer would be less effective than if they were worked on separately. I can't quite think of the mechanisms but despite the area application of the hormones on the toothpick the hormones travel through the plant to more than the area its applied to, and its the mechanical force of the toothpick that stimulates the root growth.

You'll note I haven't really answered the question. Only suggested that one toothpick method be applied at a time. Would this fit in with your experiences?

I need a cup of tea after that effort of in recall.

Hi Mate , i think you have confused yourself more-so than me . I have set a tooth pick layer on a layered off plant with its own roots that is 12 months old since being severed . I have also set the tooth picks on the original trunk to improve the narebri . No doubling up setting a toothpick layer and base root work on the same plant . The confusion is in your interpretation my friend . Root improvement work using the tooth pick method on the main original trunk , "black pot" . Pot layering using the tooth pick method on the trunk in the "mustard pot" which is a layer taken from the original trunk now 2 years ago , no confusion 2 pots , 2 plants , 2 different jobs .

Cheers Alpineart

Ah! I see. Don't know why it didn't work.

Hi mate , neither do i . Its strange that a layer worked and the root improvement didn't considering the strength of the main tree ??? .

Cheers Alpine

Time to take the layer off and trim the main tree back real hard . I have taken a lot more than planed but wasn't happy with the location of the secondary and tertiary branches . Hopefully with some serious feeding and the layer removed the energy can be concentrated into producing the back budding required . Potted into a large pot for extra root run and spread this layer will have a very nice fissured/knarled trunk due to the plaiting 3 trunk effect, the top will be layered off in due course for a twisted 2 trunk making for a different trunk again . A quick trim with the garden scissors and both are back on the benches.

Cheers Alpineart

New pot , new home , this was re-potted yesterday and trimmed this morning . Set for another season , now the Cook has ordered an RDO, "Required Day Off" , Karen is on long service leave and is fed up watching me work on walls and tree's , I planned to start digging but i had better listen to the Bride for a change .

I like the second pic as a front with a double leader it will make a nice broom

Hi Kevin Nel , mate there is a lot of work to undertake before it makes the grade . I'm planing on quite a few thread graft this season , the roots are just O.K , hence the wide round tray for some root run . Less work in a broom with zelkova's due to the growth habit .

Cheers .Alpineart

Hard work pays off...

I had a basin full of Celtic Australis seedlings that are 5 years old now, started training them to get the trunks straight and get the roots right for making a broom group planting. If they all survive the drastic rootwork I did they will be nice trees....OOOOOOOONE DAY!

Where are you planning the thread grafts Alpine - going round 2 on the Nebari? I'm thinking not for the branch structure you have got there already - that's convincingly natural for mine. Certainly for the "front" if thats the angle in the shot with the tube of Sikiflex. Or are you seeing something beyond the grasp of mere mortals such as I (and those not lucky enough to see this tree in the flesh)?

alpineart wrote:Hi Bodhi , mate i did for a little while ,for medical reasons , that's whats buggered the bones . Seriously i have good time management and find it difficult to sit idle . Times a wasting and i have no time to waste . Even with a buggered leg i still manage to make good progress i simple move the stools to the plants , now with all the trolleys around the place , it makes for a good assembly line GMH would be proud of . If i don't do it , it won't get done .

Cheers Alpine

If there was a 'Like' function on this site, I would have pressed the button. Good on you Alpine!

Hi Kevin Nel , hard work does pay off eventually , good luck with your group planting .

Hi Steve B , Mate i plan the place a few threads in amongst the apex to balance the canopy , very few side shoots on this tree , more vertical above and below the branch and die back is rather constant . Just going to persuade it to play ball and to aid thickening of the new leader .

Cheers Guys . Alpine

Hi Green Thumb , i recon i need an "under the thumb" or "under the pump" emoticon .

Cheers Alpine

Another year on and another trim done . I have cut this back hard this season so it should have plenty of finer shoots throughout the branches , hopefully i will keep on top of the trimming during the growing season .

Cheers . Alpineart

This is its first trim for the season , taking shape , be it slowly but that can be a good thing . Thickening of the branches is what I'm aiming for without the growth getting leggy and out of control . This will now be selectively trimmed when needed for the next few months . A good sprinkle of Rustica Plus will see it rage for a while .

Cheers Alpineart