Dogwood

[Jzack605]

Our cornuses are very tolerant species. They are vigorous growers. When new growth hardens it's hard to bend. If you want to introduce some movement into the branches you have to start early.

Did you do any selective pruning early on or found it best to let it recover?

 

[Maros]

This is a good question. It depends. I work mostly on collected trees. My approach is that I barely touch the tree on first year. Usually not on next spring after the collection from wild. Reason is I prefer increaing survival over anything else. Of course gentle wiring of future main branches is no big risk, although I rarely do it as well.

 

[Jzack605]

This is a good question. It depends. I work mostly on collected trees. My approach is that I barely touch the tree on first year. Usually not on next spring after the collection from wild. Reason is I prefer increaing survival over anything else. Of course gentle wiring of future main branches is no big risk, although I rarely do it as well.

Cheers Maros. There’s not a ton of info out there on dogs so it’s pretty great to get to pick someone’s brain who creates some beauties.

 

[Maros]

Dogwood with fruits now.

 

[Maros]

Dogwood with autumn colors and buds prepared for next early spring.

 

[Mike Hennigan]

Lots of buds!!! Can’t wait for the flowers!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Truly, this is a very fine bonsai. One of, if not the best dogwood I've seen. Nice

 

[Maros]

All leaves down now. Countless flower buds ready for early spring. Seem like by far the biggest amount of flowers could be expected.

 

[MACH5]

Great tree Maros!!

 

[Maros]

Great tree Maros!!

Thanks Sergio

 

[Potawatomi13]

Thanks Sergio

A tree worthy to display any season.

 

[Maros]

A tree worthy to display any season.

Power od deciduous (flowering and fruiting) bonsai Thx

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Magnificent! I wish my climate was nice to dogwood. Even as landscape trees, they don't like our heat.

 

[Maros]

Magnificent! I wish my climate was nice to dogwood. Even as landscape trees, they don't like our heat.

Thanks, Mike. Regarding climate, they definitely can sustain some heat. They tend to grow on dry hillsides in my country. Sure they are first to show signs they need water in my garden during summer midday so I tend to water them strongly. But they can definitely sustain a lot. I have seen some in Marija Hajdic collection down in Split, Croatia which is the much warmer place than mine. You lose nothing by giving it a try with one plant, eventually.

 

[Maros]

Winter is here, for a brief period for now

 

[Jzack605]

Hey @Maros what do you think of a structural prune and height reduction on my kousa dogwood this winter followed by a slip pot in spring time? Wouldn’t plan on disturbing roots much in terms of pruning them.

 

[Maros]

Hey @Maros what do you think of a structural prune and height reduction on my kousa dogwood this winter followed by a slip pot in spring time? Wouldn’t plan on disturbing roots much in terms of pruning them.

If the plant is well established there should not be any problem. I couldn't speak for your local variety specifically, but dogwoods are generally strong growers, they respond well to pruning, back-budding well from old wood, they handle well rootwork and grow new fibre roots quickly. So with good care and luck, you should be OK.

 

[Jzack605]

If the plant is well established there should not be any problem. I couldn't speak for your local variety specifically, but dogwoods are generally strong growers, they respond well to pruning, back-budding well from old wood, they handle well rootwork and grow new fibre roots quickly. So with good care and luck, you should be OK.

Appreciate the advice. Definitely has been my experience thus far.

 

[Jzack605]

I have another question if you don’t mind.

Many of the larger branches from this years growth on mine either need to be wired or guy lined (leaning toward this). Have you found a time best suited to this? I’m nervous about waiting until next fall as I’m worried they’ll get too large. Is winter pointless? Late spring/early summer and just loosen as needed?

 

[Maros]

I have another question if you don’t mind.

Many of the larger branches from this years growth on mine either need to be wired or guy lined (leaning toward this). Have you found a time best suited to this? I’m nervous about waiting until next fall as I’m worried they’ll get too large. Is winter pointless? Late spring/early summer and just loosen as needed?

You need to do it until it is possible. Dogwoods have very hard wood when hardened and you can find out easily it is too late and you are not able to manipulate. When wiring during the winter provide frost protection if possible afterwards