AusBonsai

Hi all you fellow bonsai nutters, seeing this lovely Baeckea being repoted at the Newcastle show at the week end, has me eying off a few large shrubs in my own front yard which are getting out of control( thats what I am telling the missus anyway) but I have never dug any before, is this a good time to do them and if so is there any advice you more experience guys out there can give a novice digger,there is 3 or4 different trunks on each side of the pathway, Has even got the missus inspired that she wants one too so I might see how I go with hers first as an experiment.

take them out with the largest root ball you can, then pot up into a large enough container to fit said roots. Reduce the root mass over a few years to minimise shock

I assume they are Baeckea you are going to dig?

Ken

Yes Ken the ones shown in the above picture of my front yard,is it a good time to do, not too hot
Also I suppose I would give them the seasol treatment, are they pretty tough.

Yes reddoggy ,do as KC says but I would leave them for a little while and enjoy the flowers,soak the trunks in seasol and keep watering with seasol after you plant it in a large container, maybe a styro box for a couple of years, I have found them to be pretty tough.
Better still get the missus to dig it up while you enjoy a beer, that way you might get a bigger rootball which is vital.

Hi Reddoggy,

Oh' definitely out of control those. See you've been walking past them for years while they just twist themselves and fatten up for you to rescue them.!!!!
All you need to do has already been said in regard to their survival after lifting. Have a good look at you front options before you dig. Don't reduce the top too much as you can make height work for you later. They are very prone to breakage so steady as you go. I have included pic's of how mine started out 2 years ago prior to Sat's pot up at the show. Take small steps and treat it as a long term project and you will be rewarded with a great tree. Just think how many more are out there.

I WANT ONE

very nice alan

good luck reddoggy

Alan, So that was you at the show on Sunday ,that was a bloody good demo , has the tree shown any ill effects being put in a fairly small pot but then I suppose it is a bit early yet. It really inspired me to dig one as in my opinion they are a very underrated bonsai tree and would like to see a lot more around. The ones in my front yard must be about 25 years old so it might be a bit risky moving them but I will give it a go.
Matty-J Thanks for the well wishes if the missus gives me cheek,you can have hers if it survives.

Hi Reddogy,

Can't wait to see if you removed these trees. Post some pics and show us what you have.
Keep the watering up.

Thanks Alan for your interest,I have only at this stage put a spade down to its full length around the root ball to cut some of the surface roots,thought I might do it in stages as I want to give them as much a chance as I possibly can, will keep you posted when I make the next move.
Reddoggy