AusBonsai

Guys, does anyone know if Crab Apple sucker from the roots?

A friend of mine has one in a pot and there is a shoot growing a couple of inches from the tree. I know she had a couple of fruit on the tree, so it could also be from a seed. I haven't seen it yet, but when I do get round to looking at it, I'll dig down a bit and see if it's connected to a root or whether it is actually from a seed.

I just thought I'd ask the question.

there's suckers on their root stock normally.
even on prunus

That was quick! Thanks Dumper - question answered.

Ausbonsai to the fore, once again!!!!!

I wonder if there is a question out there anywhere that at least one person on here does not know the answer to?

Tman, has your friends tree flowered up here yet? Or is it to young yet? What about fruit?

Yes, it's only very thin and quite small - but this year she had two fruit on it. She saved them and removed the seeds. They were planted a couple of weeks ago but no shoots yet - here's hoping!

That is so .
Years ago I was talking with a well known Bonsai grower and artist of some note and he told me Crab Apple was a waste of time in Brisbane as it didn't get cold enough for the trees to flower, let alone fruit. I have since been told they do indeed fruit in Brisbane and now you tell me one is fruiting near you.
It seems the more we learn the more we find we don't know. I guess the saying , "We don't know what we don't know", is so true. Thank you for the information.

You're welcome Graeme. Actually, the woman who owns the Crab Apple is closer to you than me - she lives in Hervey Bay.

As a follow-on from what you said. I've read many times on different forums that 'so and so' trees won't grow in this area - it's too hot and humid. Sometimes I just ignore what they have said - other times it's got up my nose a bit because of the way it has so 'authoritatively been stated', so I've posted photos of the trees I have growing here that "won't grow in your area". Even then I've had people come back at me saying it can't happen - got to love the armchair experts haven't you?

Did you know that Trident Maples won't grow here because they need sub-zero temps in the winter? In the time I've been here in Maryborough it has never dropped below freezing - not even a single frost, but my Maples never fail to re-shoot after winter - and one of those was a rooted cutting I bought in Darwin (of all places) in 1990. Two of the 'know-it-alls' in Darwin told me it would die up there - that means the tree I have here is a ghost that has thrived for 20 years so far

I reckon anything is worth a try - some may work, some may not but it's interesting to find out what does and what doesn't.

Well then, cut off my legs and call me shorty. But, you do realise the Bay is a much better place than Maryborough dont you?
Yes, you are so right Taffy. I think what grows where is more dependant on the skill and want of the grower more than anything else. It is all about climates and micro climes than plant species. I believe Gardening Australia still have their bananas growing in the Hobart Bot Gardens!!
Your "Grow here" comment gave me a chuckle as well. I remember when I started growing Azaleas in Darwin the two resident "Experts" told me I had wasted my money. One of then was actually at the Airport while I was picking up my tubestock. He was right of course, as several of the varieties I got up didn't like the conditions and I did loose them, but when I sold the Nursery I had around 20 different Azaleas in production. Darwin City Council even had them growing in a few locations around town in Public Gardens. People still came into the Nursery and upon looking at the rows of potted plants often asked, "Oh, do Azaleas grow up here?" I often told them, "Not a hope", but you know what my sence of humour is like.
The Bonsai Club also imported a heap of JBP up as well. A few of those did perish, but also a lot of them thrived as well, along with a JRP that was sent up by mistake and a JWP in the same shipment'
I remember that little "rooted cutting" mate and I was probably one of the ones that told you it would die in Darwin, reckon the other one would have been a lady, wouldn't she? Guess not all people know all things, but the smart ones learn from their mistakes.
And again you were right, if you want a tree just give it a go. If you want it bad enough get several of them, as just getting one may not give you a true answer as to the plants viability for your area.

Azaleas - in DARWIN???? Not a chance - could never happen!!

Umm, didn't one of the girls there have a very nice Saotme round about 1990-91? Can't remember her name - think it may have been Karyn (Karen) or something.

No, you weren't the guilty one - it was the wife and husband team.

Tman wrote:
Umm, didn't one of the girls there have a very nice Saotme round about 1990-91? Can't remember her name - think it may have been Karyn (Karen) or something.

Ah yes, 'Rocky' and it was Karen who was the little guys "Carer", good memory there. By the way, Rocky was still alive and well a few years ago although I haven't seen it in a while.

Well there you go. That's good to hear. But Azaleas won't grow in Darwin!!!!!!! Don't you just love rubbing the 'experts' noses into it at times - especially if they have never tried growing a particular species out of its accepted area.

By the way, do you know the definition of an Expert?

X is and unknown quantity, and a spurt is a drip under pressure (sounds better if you say it rather than write it down).