Lucky dog... Happy Larch...

JudyB

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I was fortunate in the extreme that the very nice owner of the Larch posted under "club auction larch", Raydomz, allowed me to purchase this wonderful Larch from him recently. (He is lusting after clump maple, so I was able to pry it out of his hands...) This tree is the idealized version of what I see in my head when I think of larch, so I am happy -to say the least, that I am going to be able to care for and advance this tree.

It is very much in need of rootwork, which will happen this spring, along with a new and bigger pot. I will reduce the "hill" as much as can be safely done, although I'll keep a bit of it, as it has a certain pull for me. The pot is probably going to be a temporary one, until I can have one made for it, or find the perfect thing.

I've been speaking to Ron Lang about making a raised floating slab, with a slope, that would have a largeish planting pocket. Floating on the right then angling down to the left. This would work well within the root structure that is currently on the tree.

I'd really like to get some opinions on slab vs pot for this tree, as well as firsthand experience with slab plantings, and what type of problems I could encounter with type of planting. I've never had a slab planted tree as yet, so would love some tips.

I'm attaching some pics that Raydomz took, as well as a current winter image, and a photo of the lichens that adorn the trunk when it rains. Sorry for the quality of the lichen pic, as it was a dreary day, and the tree is in it's wintering bed.
 

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bonsaiTOM

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Love this larch and remember the discussion here with the now former 'keeper' of this tree. Many thanks for sharing your plans for it. I have no experience with slab planting but will learn alongside the others as you go on to the next level with it. Ron Lang will become instrumental in the project.
 

JudyB

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Thanks for the reply Tom, I do indeed know that I am fortunate to be the caretaker of this tree, and that the effort that others have put into making it what it is should be respected. I feel a responsibility with the trees that I own that have been brought along by others, that seems almost more important than with the ones that I've brought up. I have learned a lot and will continue to learn from these trees that are further along than I could've brought them in my time.

I've bookmarked that discussion, and will also be working on the apex as suggested in that prior posting, any other comments now that the tree is naked would be welcomed.

If anyone who has slab plantings could take the time to reply, I would very much appreciate the help. Thanks in advance...:)
 

tmmason10

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Nice purchase Judy. I really liked this larch from the other posts, and this one has some excellent character. Good luck with it!
 

crust

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larch babes 2011 122.jpgI have some large larch that I have kept on slabs for 15 years and frankly I find them easier to care for than when potted . Life on the slab is very self dwarfing and to tell you the truth I have never really changed the soil. At one point I escavated some holes, trimmed some roots and added soil. I make a muck wall and plant as flatly as possible in fine soil with organics. I use glued down wires for the tied down. I only fertilize a bit in the fall. The branches will become finer than if in a pot, at least they do for me.
 

crust

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And at least with larch you don't need a planting pocket--they grow just fine on a piece of flagstone or even plywood with just the root mat and some soil. Sometimes you can find excellent slabs at a masonry yard that has natural rock flagstones.
 

JudyB

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Good to have first hand knowledge! Thanks for the info. If you don't mind my asking, where are you located?
 

crust

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I am in Zone 3 in MN and care for a few dozen Larch trees of various styles and quality.I have some in the ground too.They are my favorite to grow and one of the most reliable and intuitive for me. One drawback, it is hard to find exquite wild larch.
IMG_1476.jpg
 

JudyB

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Yes I agree, I do love seeing as many larches as people will post up. I'd love to see more. Something about them.... I bought the Nick Lenz book, and it is terrific!
 

tmmason10

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Yes I agree, I do love seeing as many larches as people will post up. I'd love to see more. Something about them.... I bought the Nick Lenz book, and it is terrific!
It certainly is. I hope one day I can go collect specimens like he has in the northeast.
 

crust

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Nick is a long time buddy of mine and the funny thing is many of his fine larches were actually grown for years from small unremarkable stock. Sinous larch are hard to come by. Most larch are essentially boners. posted is a bad image of a larch I grew from a fingerling--mostly in the ground. Yes I know it is composed poorly and the upper trunck is obscured--It is better recently.Larch June 1 2010 (9).jpg
 

JudyB

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Nick is a long time buddy of mine and the funny thing is many of his fine larches were actually grown for years from small unremarkable stock. Sinous larch are hard to come by. Most larch are essentially boners. posted is a bad image of a larch I grew from a fingerling--mostly in the ground. Yes I know it is composed poorly and the upper trunck is obscured--It is better recently.View attachment 19933

How lucky for you, it must be quite a resource to have "Larch Man" in your toolbelt!
I like the base on that one, powerful for a larch. Show us more... Please?
 

JudyB

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I just yesterday got it into a temporary larger pot for the winter, just slip potted it of course. It is better for the size ratio of the tree, although after the root work and back into this pot for a year, I'm planning on a slab for the year after. I'll be careful on fertilizing, as I understand that more mature larch don't really need much. (this is my first older larch)
It's nice to have crust along on the thread, good to have first handers on larch around.
 

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crust

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Larch are a joy and easy to manage. a couple on slabs and then a favorite lone one--all collected from regular larch swamps. None with fantastic trunks but they slowly gain grace and that is their charm.Bonsai Late Fall 10-26-08 006.jpg
 

crust

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Here is the lone favorite. Ibonsai 2011 spring 014.jpgt has not been repotted for a long time.
 

JudyB

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That is a treat to see, did you collect this one?
Delicious spring color... and neat little accents.
Love the forest group on the left too, those roots are sweet! I'm hoping to do a sloped idea similar to that slab.
 

crust

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All the trees posted so far I collected. Here is one I collected as a wimpy little pencil and gave to Nick for stock many years ago. He was experimenting with larch stock from all over and did a root-over with it. I just got it back this year trained ala-bone. I covet this Lenzian creation.August 25 2011 036.jpg
 
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