Natives and their tap roots!

[Pat093]

Hey guys,

I have tried growing a couple of natives as bonsai, but with some of them, like the other day when i went to get one of my RRgum sappling out of its grounp and into a small lil pot to begin its growth as bonsai it didnt like it. Maybe it is because i trimmed the tap root???
any ideas?
alot of them dont like the tap root being touched?

[dennismc]

Hi Pat

Admirable to see more people utilizing the natives. I am sure that you will get plenty of good advice on this site given the excellent native potensai trees I see here regularly.

I am constantly approached by people worrying about the tap roots on trees especially if the tree subsequently dies after collection or root pruning. The major botanic function of tap roots are to hold the tree into the ground. Far more important are the fine white hair roots which are responsible for feeding and accessing water.

Ironically in our dry environment, or indeed because of it, our native flora is quite neurotic about being able to access water. Thus ensuring the tree is able to readily access water at all times is the most important requirement in collecting and/or root pruning of native Bonsai. Indeed in general they must not be allowed to dry out for 3 - 4 weeks after root disturbance. As in everything there are of course exceptions to this general rule.

Gum trees in particular must be kept constantly moist for 3 weeks after every repotting. If this is observed you will not have any problems with them and will achieve much better results. Without this treatment they are likely to slowly deteriorate in the longer term. I have noticed that over several years of careful attention to this requirement they do seem to acquire some resistance to drying out.

regards

Dennis Mc

[Pat093]

Mate that was great help thanks heaps i'll keeep my lil RRgums moist for awhile, and check up on them.