Eleocarpus "Japanese Blueberry" Phatty

[Haoleboy]

Found this tree today. I think it has quite the potential. They do have big leaves but I know they use them in topiary. Leaf size should reduce from what I've seen in well maintained landscapes. Has a 7" base and a nice nebari. Aslo has a well placed first branch, plenty of other branches to work with and nice natural taper. No major pruning scars either. Just the chop at the very top. Thing weighs about 100lbs. Gotta reduce the roots so I can move it around and eventually get it into a bonsai pot. I'll post pics once I root prune tonight.

 

[Haoleboy]

Repotting and first styling complete. I'll let the roots grow out a bit. Guess these grow very fast. So probably another hard root prune and repot next year. Once the tree recovers, I'll start working the first branch's structure. The leader and the other branches need to thicken. I'll let them grow. They should put some weight on fairly quick. The trunk chop will be carved in the future.
I'll keep this thread updated as it progresses.

 

[drew33998]

I have one. Hasnt gone too well for me. They put out thick shoots and grow long internodes very fast. Min e is completely root bound and has shown no significant difference in leaf size. If i could go bsck in time i would have not made the purchase.

 

[Haoleboy]

I have one. Hasnt gone too well for me. They put out thick shoots and grow long internodes very fast. MinView attachment 140156 e is completely root bound and has shown no significant difference in leaf size. If i could go bsck in time i would have not made the purchase.

That's too bad. Honestly, doesn't look like you give it much attention.

 

[sorce]

Truth speaks...

What I said out loud....
Though spelled differently....

HaoleFu@k!

Sorce

 

[drew33998]

You see that big chop? It was recovering from that. I dont think it is usable as a species for bonsai. I hsve heard that there is a dwarf cultivar that may be better. Ill try to post some newer pics

 

[drew33998]

You see that big chop? It was recovering from that. I dont think it is usable as a species for bonsai. I hsve heard that there is a dwarf cultivar that may be better. Ill try to post some newer pics

And it stays close to the oak tree because that sob is probably 150lbs +. I had to use a chainfall attached to an oak limb wrapped around the trunk to lift it for repotting.

 

[discusmike]

Local blueberry around my way have tight internodes n small leaves thinking about trying one

 

[Haoleboy]

And it stays close to the oak tree because that sob is probably 150lbs +. I had to use a chainfall attached to an oak limb wrapped around the trunk to lift it for repotting.

How do they respond to pruning?
Can you prune the tips as soon as the emerge?
Have you cut back behind leaves and does it back bud?

 

[drew33998]

Back buds like crazy when you prune hard if its healthy. The problem is that the internodal length from the first leaf set keeps getting longer as the shoot lengthens. If you cut it too early then the branch will just regrow a leader from the nearest node. So you have to wait until it is semi woodi to cut back for ramification which takes forever. They grow so fast I think anything with a reasonable amount of structure is not attainable. Probably would be best just hedging it into shape.

 

[drew33998]

Here is the other side as of today. Heavy cutback last week. I will try to let the leader continue growing until it looks better or I get tired of it and it becomes firewood or yard planted.