Advise on a collected burning bush

[leatherback]

It is interesting. I have the european burning bush, euonymus europaeus. And I find if I do a full on fertilizer, and water plenty, these can grow all season long. Especially with a mid-to-late spring removal of foliage & reduction of branches. So in may-ish I defoliate, wire and trim the tree and pile on fertilizer. I have it pushing new growth even in September.

 

[Balbs]

Update: did some root work and a hard cutback. I was really impressed by the size of the root mass after only a year and glad I didn’t wait another year.

 

[Vali]

I am curious, after the last year`s discussion, did you have multiple flushes of growth? Did you prune it during the last growing season?

 

[Cypress187]

Why isn't the tree in the middle of the pot? You planning a diorama?

 

[Balbs]

I am curious, after the last year`s discussion, did you have multiple flushes of growth? Did you prune it during the last growing season?

Just the one flush like you’ve all described.
I have another small one that got chewed down by a rabbit. That got a second flush!

 

[Balbs]

Why isn't the tree in the middle of the pot? You planning a diorama?

Fair question! The roots are mostly on one side and there are three very strong ones. I cut them back as far as I felt comfortable going, but that didn’t allow me to center the tree. I’m still figuring out how hard roots can be cut back without irreparable harm.

 

[Vali]

Just the one flush like you’ve all described.

Not all of us. Leatherback and I stated that we experience multiple flushes. However, we both have euonymus europaeus, I don`t know what yours is. Did you prune it last growing season?

 

[Balbs]

Not all of us. Leatherback and I stated that we experience multiple flushes. However, we both have euonymus europaeus, I don`t know what yours is. Did you prune it last growing season?

I believe mine to be Atalus. I did prune some branches, there was no second flush.

 

[leatherback]

I would seriously consider going back in, and pruning those big root bag A LOT more. You have seen how strong roots these are. And.. By giving the side with the big roots more room, you will only increase the disbalance which might result in a very skewed nebari.

 

[Balbs]

How far can I go back?

 

[leatherback]

How far can I go back?

This is how I treat mine, which is not alatus though...

 

[Balbs]

done and done.

 

[Vali]

That was fast . I would have done the same. I took off a lot of roots from mine too, almost 3 weeks ago. We had a lot of freezing nights since and buds are still advancing. I don't think we should worry too much about them, they seem to be very resiliant.

 

[leatherback]

That was fast . I would have done the same. I took off a lot of roots from mine too, almost 3 weeks ago. We had a lot of freezing nights since and buds are still advancing. I don't think we should worry too much about them, they seem to be very resiliant.

Weed
s

 

[Balbs]

The atalus is on the invasive species list in my area, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that it grew roots so vigorously. Still, impressive.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I'm glad you went back and pruned those roots again to get the tree in the center of the pot. Well done. This is coming along.

Use what @MHBonsai outlined to control thickening of specific branches when you get to the point when you want certain branches to get thicker and others to stay thinner. Otherwise wait as we discussed if you want the branches to maximize thickening for the season.

 

[Balbs]

I'm glad you went back and pruned those roots again to get the tree in the center of the pot. Well done. This is coming along.

Thanks, Leo!

 

[leatherback]

Two weeks on.. Leaves out?

 

[Cypress187]

Yeah, pictures!

 

[Balbs]

Buds are extending but they haven’t leafed out yet. I have another smaller one of these that I didn’t do any work to this year, it hasn’t leafed out yet either so I think it’s on time.