Radiata Pine - Dig 120811

[BonsaiPanda]

Hi everyone,
Went on a dig for two hours on Friday, arranged permission with the local authority to dig out weeds on the verges of their designated road areas, (who would have thought they would agree) Took a few to our monthly meeting and gave them with a pot to club members to start them off. Some I had left over that noone wanted, so I potted them.

Regards Panda
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[alpineart]

Hi Bonsai Panda , my kinda tree's . Tel me were these chop tops or have you cut them down ? .What were the root masses like , plenty of feeders , no feeders ? .What mix have you potted them in ? . Cheers Alpineart

[Handy Mick]

Hi Alpine,

Panda had picked some beauties, a couple of the large were trunk chops and had some great roots, the small ones have some nice bark and movement.
As Panda said he was only out for two hours, imagine if he lived closer.

Mick

P.s. I am enjoying a 800mm trunk chop thanks to Panda.

[BonsaiPanda]

Hi Alpine,
Only the two large trees had trunk chops , thx to some xmas tree hunters I would guess. All the trees had masses of roots long feeders and fibrous ones. The were easy to collect. I have put them in a very course free draining mix. 60% diatomite, 20% course river sand, 15% alluvial river soil and 5% slow release pellets mixed through the entire batch, after I chopped them up with my wife's food processor. Oh I am in trouble The small trees were growing on a rock ledge that Handy Mick showed me. They came straight out and they appear about 6/7 yrs old and still very small I got permission as stated to dig as many as I like as long as I dont take or damage anything native of course. There are thousands and thousands. Oh and by the way Alpine I love those trees you collected, very inspiring, but jeez 750 trees to care for , my wife would raise me from the dead after the food processor deal, just to kill me again if I had that many trees. You are a legend mate. Oh and Mick thanks for the heads up on that great spot.

Regards Panda

[alpineart]

Hi Handy mick , he certainly picked some rippers .

Hi Bonsai Panda , nice tree's for sure .I have a reluctant approach to collecting Radiata's but you have influenced me to try yet again .I like cliff dwellers as the come out clean and usually with a good root-mass close to the base . Trunk chopping seems to have the same effect on these as Nigra's , that's interesting . The 750 you refer to are only the maple trainers currently in the ground , double or triple that for all the rest of stock kicking around here . Not a legend bud , maybe 50 years after i die someone might remember me .All the best with your collecting .Cheers Alpine