Dawn Redwood . . . understock

[ColinFraser]

This might be the first time I bought a grafted plant for the rootstock!
The last week in February I found this dawn redwood in a local landscape nursery, and no, I did not pay the price on the sticker. It had escaped it's five-gallon can and had big roots holding the pot to the ground. It's a grafted cultivar - 'gold rush' (maybe also called Ogon?). My understanding is that the rootstock is still dawn redwood. Anyone know for sure?
I think the graft union is too evident to ever be part of a bonsai; thoughts?



I've started quite a few cuttings of the gold cultivar, but I'm really hoping that the lower trunk buds out . . .

 

[ColinFraser]

Here is a clearer view of the Union.

 

[ColinFraser]

Leafing out nicely; I love the golden color.



I had to stick it in a barrel when I was going out of town for a couple of days, just to keep the stump from drying out . . . Well, I kinda forgot about it for a while, and now I'm thinking I shouldn't disturb it.

 

[GrimLore]

El Grande result! I too would let it alone a season, perhaps two.

Grimmy

 

[ColinFraser]

El Grande result! I too would let it alone a season, perhaps two.

Grimmy

Thanks.
If the cuttings I made after the chop take, I'm considering grafting a branch or two below the main union. That might blend things a bit better and allow me to keep the whole thing together in a believable fashion.

Do you think an approach graft or two would be an issue for it while it recovers?

 

[GrimLore]

Do you think an approach graft or two would be an issue for it while it recovers?

Myself I do not "work" most any specimen for at least 1 full year and that applies in my book to anything that is not a tree such as Azalea, Cotoneaster, Crape, etc... Trees I wait longer and especially on the larger ones. I have a Yew that will be a minimum of 2 to 3 years and "could" turn out to be 5 being a bit more sensitive then others. To explain myself and reasoning better; Where I am located if it is a "shrub" and it handles a year being healthy it "can" take work. Trees here have a "normal" tendency to look great for a year when in reality they are "pushing" like crazy to reproduce more because they are in fact dying. So for me 2 - 3 years on a tree is worth it. Just going on my experience in my area but I feel it is worthwhile to share

Edit: I forgot to add that on larger stock a tortured plant can go a full year on reserve...

Grimmy

 

[ColinFraser]

Myself I do not "work" most any specimen for at least 1 full year and that applies in my book to anything that is not a tree such as Azalea, Cotoneaster, Crape, etc... Trees I wait longer and especially on the larger ones. I have a Yew that will be a minimum of 2 to 3 years and "could" turn out to be 5 being a bit more sensitive then others. To explain myself and reasoning better; Where I am located if it is a "shrub" and it handles a year being healthy it "can" take work. Trees here have a "normal" tendency to look great for a year when in reality they are "pushing" like crazy to reproduce more because they are in fact dying. So for me 2 - 3 years on a tree is worth it. Just going on my experience in my area but I feel it is worthwhile to share

Edit: I forgot to add that on larger stock a tortured plant can go a full year on reserve...

Grimmy

Very sensible. That gives me plenty of time to get those cuttings going too.
I've seen bougainvillea truncheon cuttings bud and even flower for months without ever growing roots, so I hear you about running on reserves!

 

[GrimLore]

Very sensible. That gives me plenty of time to get those cuttings going too.
I've seen bougainvillea truncheon cuttings bud and even flower for months without ever growing roots, so I hear you about running on reserves!

I have seen that happen in a multitude of situations and rely on patience for results. in In short, sam in Hawaii has many great Bougainvillea - one of them was questioned here perhaps a year ago. The question was how much soil is in that pot - the answer was "none". Now consider he lives Oceanside with salty rain at best... A puzzle for all of us but not impossible. Takes time and "reading" not only a lot of general articles but YOUR plants, Region, and Care - Read your specimens, takes longer then the Bible itself but the results...

Grimmy

 

[cbrshadow23]

Hi Colin, I know it's been many years since you posted this, but I thought I'd check in to see how this Gold Rush Dawn Redwood is doing. Still have it?