when to repot my Baeckea Virgata

[hugh grant]

Hi
i Have a australian native, a Baeckea Virgata that i would like to repot into a slightly smaller pot then the training pot it is in now which is a six inch plactic pot. It has alot of new healthy growth all over it and is in full flower at the moment. i just recently trimmed it aswell.
I would like to know when to repot because i was wanting to repot it now but was not to sure if to or not so if any one has any knowledge or suggestions on what to do that would be great.

Thanks

[/img]

CIMG0913.JPG

[img]

CIMG0912.JPG

[Asus101]

Whisper in her ear and ask her

[hugh grant]

Well I ended up repotting my baeckea virgata about a week and a half ago and it is fine and growing. I was quite worried about repotting it and if it was the right time or not of year. But it hasn't seemed to have worried. i trimmed it up yesterday removing a bulk of the foliage as it was getting way or thick.
So if anyone is wandering "when is it alright to repot one of these trees?" I would say spring or autumn but if you were wanting to do it in summer it would be ok as long as you keep it in the shade for a while afterwards and then move into semi shade for a while after that.
Well that is what I have found about reppotting of baeckea virgata's from my own experience.
Hope it's usefull to anyone.

hugh

[Pup]

Sorry Hugh missed your original post!!. Don't know how but did. Now it looks like I do not have to worry.
I have done a post here in the early days on virgata.

Again sorry Pup

[hugh grant]

That's alright pup with a bit of experimenting I found out what I was wanting just had to take the risk that o might harm the tree bit I diidnt so it's all ok.
But I would like to know if you know would it be ok to another second repot this autumn to reduce the bottom half of the roots so it would fit into a flatter pot.

Hugh

[hugh grant]

well heres what my tree looks like now

035.JPG

hugh

[Jamie]

looking good mate one thing that is bothering me a bit is that i keep getting distracted by the crossing trunks/branches, although it does look like an african style sort of tree with them, i wonder how it would go without the crossing branches?? would that take a lot of the canopy out??


jamie

[hugh grant]

hi jamie the crossing of the branches were left like that because i was trying to go for the african style with all the twisted branches and the flatish top.
if i took off all the crossing branches the trees umbrella appearences wouldn't be there as they all make up the umbrella. i would have to create a totally new idea for the tree which would be interesting but i like the abstract design of the tree and more naturalistc characteristics of it that i am trying to mimic.
but it would be interesting wouldnt it to see what it woud look like if i did get rid of those crossing branches

Hugh

[Gerard]

Hi Hugh,
I like the twisted branches and flattish top african style you have in mind. I do not know this species but it seems that is the style the tree "wants to be", so go with it.
Lots of charachter and not a common style.

Regards Gerard

[Jamie]

hugh, i do agree that the twisted crossing branches mimic the african style and it is actually a natural formation for this species. it was just a thought that crossed my mind and i sort of figured if these were taken out it would lose the flat top appearance of the tree

cheers mate


jamie

[hugh grant]

thats right this style isn't done too often but can look really good if done well i think. the species of tree is an australian native and is pretty common in alot of areas around australia i reckon any one who hasn't got one should have a try as they are good native material and are very hardy. i have seen them in all kinds of styles aswell.
if you want to know a bit aboout them and care go to this page i found on this species
http://www.bonsaisolutions.com.au/austr ... rgata.html

Hugh

[hugh grant]

thanks jamie
that is the case i reckon if the branches were taken out but i sometimes wonder what it would look like if i did take them out.
thanks for that thought

Hugh

[hugh grant]

If any one knows I would like to know if I could do a second repot in autumn to reduce the bottom portion of roots so I could fit the tree onto a flatter pot. I just recently repotted it about 3 weeks ago aswell but that's my question is a second going to be ok to do in autumn.
Thanks

hugh

[Pup]

If any one knows I would like to know if I could do a second repot in autumn to reduce the bottom portion of roots so I could fit the tree onto a flatter pot. I just recently repotted it about 3 weeks ago aswell but that's my question is a second going to be ok to do in autumn.
Thanks

hugh

Yes Hugh you can, as always the after care is the most important thing. You must protect it from extremes of Cold heat strong wind and too much water.
I have re potted in all seasons.
My minis have to be done at least twice a year.

Cheers Pup

[MelaQuin]

Interesting Pup, I water my Baeckea virgata twice a day when the temps are over 25c. Letting the soil dry does not please my specimen. I have not put it in a water tray but I do make sure the soil is always quite moist.

Baeckea Bushy 2009-01.jpg

This photo is a year old and the current state is much more foliage. A friend has lost a lot of her tree having left it in a shallow pot too long. But whatever it takes to keep the Baeckea happy in one's own micro climate... go for it.

I have checked its biography and the tree was root pruned from the deep stock pot in July 2008 and did not like the heavy root prune. It struggled for some months before suddenly taking off. In hindsight I probably should have waited until late spring. Since then it has not had a problem with repots but after care is always good.