gfreak
Mame
Gotcha, thanks again for all the advice y'all!
Nursery Juniper and boxwoods advice
- Thread starter gfreak
- Start date
gfreak
Mame
Quick follow up question. On the thuja, it seems like it dries out SUPER fast, Like i'll water it fairly heavily in the morning (9am or so) and by the time i get back from work (630 or so)the soil is bone dry unless it's been raining out.
Should i be worried that i need to water it more often? Does this just mean the roots are too overgrown in the pot?
Should i be worried that i need to water it more often? Does this just mean the roots are too overgrown in the pot?
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
First you need to consider the soil it is in . I’m unsure what is used there for nursery soil . If that is what it’s still in . My first concern is are you sure your getting wet . A lot of nursery soil is peat moss based . These soils can be difficult to wet . Once dry . The top gets wet and water runs thru the pot without soaking the soil .recommend setting the pot in a container of water . And allowing it to absorb all it wants . To wet it thoroughly. Up to the soil level for 30 minutes or longer with water up to the bottom 1/3 Use a clean stick of wood ( chop stick popsicle stick or meat skewer) inserted deep into pot to check soil moisture leave the stick in the pot . Water when it no longer is wet when removed . This is a great learning tool each tree is different . They need to dry out but bone dry is to dry . Options are water when needed ir move to a less intense sun location . I assume full sun there is intense . I’m not the person to speak to that . But micro climates can be made . It’s easier to shade out the sun then get more that’s not avail .irrigation systems are avail including simple gravity drip . Do not leave the pot soaking in a tray of water . You will promote root rot . Do not allow it to continue to dry out completely you will kill it
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
Very smart bonsai masters have said watering is the single toughest thing to learn
gfreak
Mame
Thank you!! That makes sense, the boxwoods I got are in the same spot and the soil/watering on those is what I was expecting. So the thuja might just be running straight through, didn't even think of that.
Will soaking it like that allow me to water it normally if I keep an eye on it in the short future? Or will I need to re soak it pretty regularly (if there's any way of even knowing that from an internet post lol)
Also for the sun, I have it on a south/west facing balcony ATM. So it gets a decent amount of sun in the evening, but is in shade till maybe 2pm
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
I’m not convinced it’s a thuja . I don’t take rockm s statement lightly . But it don’t matter . Answer to the watering is yes . A soak might be a good idea say once a week to be sure or if ever you think it’s to dry . Thuja is a water living tree Don’t be scared to wet the foliage when you water . The sun anoint seems fine . Will take sun as long as it has water . But Texas has to be the limit of its heat tolerance so shade for some of the day sounds good . Ambient moisture can help like I said micro climates can help . On a balcony helps standing water in pots around the tree evaporating and or a large tray with gravel under the pot can help just allow the watering water to fill it . Thuja thrives in high humidity
Ininaatigoons
Chumono
There is a beautiful example of Thuja Occidentalis at the Como Park Bonsai Exhibit in Saint Paul Minnesota! About 6' tall and 4' wide. I could post yhe pic, but I think I'd have to ask permission...
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
Normally photography is allowed . At most exhibits .I would love to see the tree . Always interested in any native tree . As I stated earlier in this thread . There are notable thuja bonsai . Most are wild collected trees . From harsh north east environment.s there wood is light and very rot resistant . The winter
wind is a particular good pre bonsai creator . These trees often have delicate deadwood features . . In rural areas of its native range the tree was in the past and to some extent still is used as fencing material . With no chemical preservation . It’s easy to find examples that are over 100 years old . And they make great examples of the nature of the dead wood .gfreak
Mame
Fair enough! I didn't mean to insinuate he was mistaken.
but whatever the plant is, i'll make sure to keep an eye on it and keep soaking it in my sink when needed!
gfreak
Mame
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
Attachments
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
Try Looking up Nick Lenz and the thread here in the pic above . Nick passed away this summer looks like the tree reference to in this thread was his . Nick was a American bonsai enthusiast . That loved native northeast trees . His taste and style was a bit to eccentric for some . But his talent is undisputed. The last pic is arguable his most famous . Thuja . His book Bonsai from the wild . Is out of print and highly prized by some of us in the northeast . ( my copy was stolen ) 
perhaps if enough of us complain and stamp are feet we can get Wayne at stone lantern to reprint it .
perhaps if enough of us complain and stamp are feet we can get Wayne at stone lantern to reprint it .
Ininaatigoons
Chumono
Boom! This is my 5' baby standing next to the Thuja Occidentalis
Ininaatigoons
Chumono
This is totally embarrassing! I can't figure out how to add the pic! I thought by changing to pdf it would work. It's too big?
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
All good I live in small town Canada hard to get worse internet or cell coverage I find pics often fail to load . . Bottom left corner of page there is. Attach file option if that’s the concern should load pic from there
Ininaatigoons
Chumono
Na... Some of us are just not keeping up with the tech world. Next time I'll get one that fits.
gfreak
Mame
Will definitely look him up! Did google the book and like you said, copies are a little out of my price range haha.Try Looking up Nick Lenz and the thread here in the pic above . Nick passed away this summer looks like the tree reference to in this thread was his . Nick was a American bonsai enthusiast . That loved native northeast trees . His taste and style was a bit to eccentric for some . But his talent is undisputed. The last pic is arguable his most famous . Thuja . His book Bonsai from the wild . Is out of print and highly prized by some of us in the northeast . ( my copy was stolen )
appreciate all the help from everyone! This forum's definitely got some great info. (and seems friendlier than some other places i've visited...lol)
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
The great thing about The Nick Lenz book . Is really only appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts from the north east . He is from this region and the book is in depth about native trees from here . Regardless of anyones thoughts on Nick . This simple fact .I feel is lost on a lot of people . The bonsai world needs more similar. Works . The modern power of communication has helped . Experts world wide share there knowledge . But lifelong knowledge of a species in a area is still rare . I feel strongly that any bonsai enthusiast should embrace the species that are native to where they are . The best artists in the world all do . This is lost on a lot of newbies . And unfortunately a lot loss interest . Yes there is great material from around the world . With knowledge on how to grow it in different climates . But all native stuff is highly adapted to the climate where you are . Mostly easy to get and forgiving .
Ininaatigoons
Chumono
Frozentreehugger
Masterpiece
That sure looks like the Lenz tree . Especially if you look at the deadwood branch on the right about 1/2 way up . Age of a bonsai . Is somewhat controversial . First is accuracy . A lot of exaggeration is often applied . You can get a idea of a Yamadori counting rings of a main root then compare the size . To the trunk this is a estimation of age at collecting time . Some only consider the age it is actually in a bonsai pot .
Example my Yamadori cedar estimate ring method at 65 to 70 years old . I’ve had it 7 years this spring how old is it . I don’t really care more interested in how good it becomes and the enjoyment I get from it . At a exhibition the public always wants to know how old a tree is . I be always like to ask them how old do you think it is . Or how old does it appear to be . When they enquire more . I explain some trees are very old but part of the art is to make them appear older . After all it’s not polite to ask a women how old she isSimilar threads
