Hi Nellie. It is lava on top, you are right. Surface was cleaned from saw chips from winter storage, it is hard to do without removing some of the substrate particles so it was just added on the top. I may do a little root work on the tree in few days to sit deeper in the pot and could add moss on top ( need to protect from birds then).Very nice!
Is it lava as substrate, @Maros ?
I planted few seeds from this tree last year but none of them germinate.What a beautiful tree! I Love everything about it. I planted some seeds of C mas this year and I turn 60 this year.
This could be a sign that you need to scar the seeds first. In the digestive track, part of the outer seedcoat is dissolved, making it easier for the plant to germinate. Look at scarification.Birds are better in horticulture than me
Learned my lesson, last year seeds are in the fridge. But actually, I'm not craving for seedlings, its just sideshow.This could be a sign that you need to scar the seeds first. In the digestive track, part of the outer seedcoat is dissolved, making it easier for the plant to germinate. Look at scarification.
Actually I am wrong. I planted them last spring and only one came up. I left them in the same pot and this spring another 20 germinated. Seems the hard seed coat needs to decompose or breakdown before water can get in.I planted few seeds from this tree last year but none of them germinate.
Few years ago birds costumed fruits from the tree and dumped residues which produced new plant. So I have one seedling. Birds are better in horticulture than me.
I left pot with seeds in the substrate untouched outside whole winter. I curious if any seedlings will pop up.Actually I am wrong. I planted them last spring and only one came up. I left them in the same pot and this spring another 20 germinated. Seems the hard seed coat needs to decompose or breakdown before water can get in.
Thanks for your kind words. Actually, tree do not want to ramify too much anymore. I tried last year help it by removing 97% of the flowers after spring but it didn't work.You have done a fabulous job developing the tree, and the ramification is just brilliant. And I absolutely love that beautiful, massive slanting secondary trunk.
Regarding substrate Im not fundamenlist. Im rather opportunistic, I use different combinations of Zeolite, Terramol, lava and pumice. Generally I mix 10-30% of rough peat into modern substrate. I@Maros thank you for your reply.
By the way, which is your substrate mixture if I may ask?
Jzack605, mine is staying outside whole winter and it means tree must handle cold weather from November till the end of March with temperatures falling below -20 C (rarely), usually -10C and strong winds. Of course, I cover the whole tree with pot below a layer of the sawdust, about 5 cm over the level of the soil.Hey @Maros i wanted to bump this because this is one of the best dogs I’ve seen as bonsai and I’m eagerly working on my Kousa variety. How cold have you found mas to handle safely? Mine stayed out all winter as a nursery tree in B+B and then as a chopped tree in grow box. It’s obviously recovered as it’s putting out a ton of growth. I’m in zone 7 and have a good protected spot outside and a shed.
Do you bring yours inside for winter?
How quick did yours cover the chop scars?
Is it worth trying to grow out a lower branch to a thicker diameter?
Many thanks. I think I’ll keep it in the same protected spot with some extra precautions this winter. So much easier to do winter care.Jzack605, mine is staying outside whole winter and it means tree must handle cold weather from November till the end of March with temperatures falling below -20 C (rarely), usually -10C and strong winds. Of course, I cover the whole tree with pot below a layer of the sawdust, about 5 cm over the level of the soil.
My experience with the cornus family (I have C.mas and C. sanguinea) it that they tend to heal scars rather well, much better than most of the trees. I use to grow a lot of sacrifice branches on cornus, it helps thickening respective part of the structure efficiently.
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.Many thanks. I think I’ll keep it in the same protected spot with some extra precautions this winter. So much easier to do winter care.
How soon after your first chop did you do any kind of styling?