burning bush "little moses"

[benw3790]

I bought this little burning bush today at the local nursery for 10 bucks. its a dwarf variety called little moses. This is the initial styling. Just wanted to share it with you guys so i could get a critique. also, if any of you have information on burning bush from experience, please feel free to share! And if you have any photos of your burning bush, especially progressions, feel free to share them on this thread. i know they only bud out once a year, the branches are pretty flexible right now. this variety is deciduous. also, i know that they are extremely red, and beautiful during fall, which is one of the main reasons i bought it. tell me whatcha think. Didnt wanna wire the whole thing because im not in too big of a hurry with this one. just trying to figure out the species and how it reacts to different things at different times.

 

[GrimLore]

I think this thread here will help http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthr...e-Clump-(burning-bush)&highlight=burning+bush I am collecting one this Spring so cannot help you directly. Welcome to B-Nut!

Grimmy

 

[drew33998]

Good job. Now let it grow.

 

[Paradox]

I have a couple of the Euonymus alatus compacta cultivar. The only thing Ive really learned so far is that they dont like to dry out too much and they will let you know it because their leaves and soft stems will start to droop when they get thirsty.

The other thing I learned is that aphids love them and aphid farming ants love to set up gardens on their leaves so keep an eye out for that.

They seem to back bud readily and are pretty tough over all.

They are very toxic to dogs so make sure you pick up any fallen leaves and pruned branches and leaves and dispose of them properly if youve have a dog or small children.

It is considered to be invasive in a number of eastern states.

I agree, leave it alone now for at least a year and let it grow.

 

[benw3790]

I have a couple of the Euonymus alatus compacta cultivar. The only thing Ive really learned so far is that they dont like to dry out too much and they will let you know it because their leaves and soft stems will start to droop when they get thirsty.

The other thing I learned is that aphids love them and aphid farming ants love to set up gardens on their leaves so keep an eye out for that.

They seem to back bud readily and are pretty tough over all.

They are very toxic to dogs so make sure you pick up any fallen leaves and pruned branches and leaves and dispose of them properly if youve have a dog or small children.

It is considered to be invasive in a number of eastern states.

I agree, leave it alone now for at least a year and let it grow.

Thanks for all the input man! Had no idea they were toxic to dogs.. My dog loves to hang around while I work on trees, and the work bench is above his bed! Thank god I clean up really well after pruning..or any hard work. I'll have to go back and double check! But yeah I plan on just leaving it alone and letting grow for a while, I appreciate everyone's input. The leaves are so beautiful in fall.. I feel like this species is under used in bonsai.

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks for all the input man! Had no idea they were toxic to dogs.. My dog loves to hang around while I work on trees, and the work bench is above his bed! Thank god I clean up really well after pruning..or any hard work. I'll have to go back and double check! But yeah I plan on just leaving it alone and letting grow for a while, I appreciate everyone's input. The leaves are so beautiful in fall.. I feel like this species is under used in bonsai.

In Japanese gardens they use Sumac for that wild fall color more often but I find it interesting and colorful enough to collect this Spring. The type I am collecting really needs to be potted as it is invasive. I am not positive but I do not think the Dwarfs are.

Grimmy

 

[cbroad]

Looks good benw! Good structure! I have a 'Little Moses' that has been in the ground for 4 years, and it’s really thickening up. I've only pruned mine once 2 years ago, kind of just letting it go, really curious how dwarf it really is. I bought mine as a 3 gallon, and it was probably only 12" x 12". Now it’s about 2 1/2' tall and wide. I need to get some pictures on here before the leaves expand.

I love the bark on these; really nice green and white vertical stripes, I think that’s what originally drew me towards them. Another common name for Euonymus Atlatas is Winged Euonymus because of the flat corky growth on the stems, which I have not seen yet on mine.

I live in central VA and am zone 7a, so pretty similar to your growing conditions. I haven't seen many issues with mine except for scale, though Euonymus has its own specific scale called Euonymus Scale so watch out for that. I've had some animals tip pruning it for me, not sure if its deer, rabbits, or squirrels; but no serious damage. I have mine planted in a some-what moist area and it seems happy but i could see issues with them drying out in a container. I have not tried styling at all but the branches seem liable to snap where they meet the trunk, I’m guessing it's a good idea to wire when the branches are young and supple and maybe protect the bark too. I haven't seen any flowers or berries on mine so don't know about them throwing out volunteers.

Good luck!
-cbroad