Waltron
Chumono
that tree is awesome
Thanks Wilson.......I'm a great advocate of native species development. It contributes to the diversity in bonsai aesthetics.Congratulations on developing a beautiful eastern hemlock! So many naysayers must deter people from venturing down this road, thanks for showing us it is achievable!
For the first 20 years it was growing in haydite and milled bark only. It obviously survived that but did not flourish as it does now. This will be the 5th growing season in what is a mix similar to what Underdog stated above, although it may be only 20% haydite. I was too cheap and wanted to make the akadama/pumice mix to go further. Today I'm an advocate of Boon mix although I use Growstone instead of lava. The Growstone is their gnat mix which is smaller in size and more compatible to the size of the akadama/pumice. I do sift it to remove the fines. It can hold a great amount of water and when the water is consumed it's holding air. I have numerous hemlocks and they are all growing in something different but they all seem to be doing well. Full sun is good. Here's another thread I started on Tsuga Canadensis. https://bonsainut.com/threads/small-eastern-hemlock-development.22756/page-2#post-354386@ABCarve I mean it when I say, "I hate to be that guy" but can you please give me a rough soil mix? My hemlock has recently gone downhill after years of good growth in a pot and I suspect it's my turface mix. You definitely have a green thumb for this species. I read through this whole post and didn't pick up any tips on soil. So glad you're giving our state tree a player in the bonsai game.
I have been wondering about this product. Rekon I'll have to give it a go, I was assuming it might be the same as Napa#8822, but sounds like a better particle size. And thanks for posting your hemlocks guys, I've passed up so many but think I need to go back out and get me one or two. Growstone gnat mix 354386
This is one of the nicer easterns ive seen
I guess the key words to your question are "development phase". What are you trying to develop? If you are trying to develop caliper, then let it grow. I you are trying to get ramification, go to post #55. You can see the photo there shows how few buds are developed by simply "letting it grow". Your apex will develop new buds as the season progress' if it is in good health. These trees are very apically dominant. If you want more budding there, go to post #55. Hope that helps.Great info, thanks! One more question if you don't mind, but what sort of program/schedule would you recommend in the development phase in particular if you were looking to encourage back-budding.
As eastern Hemlock is the dominant evergreen species on our new mountain property, this thread has been very encouraging. One look and I knew it was a species I wanted to learn more about and work with.
You have been fantastic answering questions and sharing this amazing tree with us. I too also like the pot, btw. It helps it look less formal and boring.
I just wanted to say thank you and ask you to keep posting about this tree and your younger hemlocks you are also developing. It is appreciated!