Field growing soil prep

Anthony

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@sorce ,

the colander, allows the soil to be used to the max as does the air-pot see image
above. Hemmy.

When we removed the Tamarind from the air-pot, the image was one of wood.
No soil seen.

Now if we use the property of the colander to create feeder roots in large quantity,
when you place the colander in the earth or on the ground, and the roots escape.
There are still many feeder roots to stop the tree from going through shock,
as when it is bare rooted.

In fact if you leave the tree in the colander to regenerate the feeder roots after
removal from the earth. You can safely lift the soil mass and just cut away the
problematic roots. Plus you can easily see if a root is over thickening on a tile,
and just cut it.
You don't just plant and walk away.

Cover the plastic colander with leaves or soil to protect it.
Once again observe root growth on the surface and correct early problems.

What is happening is most folk don't experiment or know how to.
7 years of Biology, Physics and Chemistry, makes a big difference in how
one approaches experiments.

Plus we use compost, which alters mightily a tree's response.

The idea was to understand the properties of the colander / air-pot and learn to
manipulate them. Then share with you guys and our locals.
It's a hobby.

Obviously from the images in Bonsai Today, the Japanese and certainly know
this since the 70/ 80"s , just look at the expendable Mallsai.
BUT as my grandfather [ Chinese one] told me ---------- a Chinese employer will
never tell you all of his secrets --------------------------- must keep somethings back for control.
Good Day
Anthony

* please do not confuse colander / fine feeder roots with a plants ability to thicken the
trunk.
The thickening ability is a property that varies from plant type to plant type.

The classic example is -------------- local Ficus thickens in 1" of soil with 3 foot extensions.

The local iron wood requires 1/3 of a 55 US gallon barrel for 4 years and 3 foot branch extensions.

For most trees over sized containers are for ramification / refinement.
 

sorce

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* please do not confuse colander / fine feeder roots with a plants ability to thicken the
trunk.

"Traffic" a Mirai term to describe flow to roots and back...
Traffic makes trunks.
Long roots don't make traffic... Feeder do!

Long roots may help flare...
But to what end? One big Ass root...

I would rather build slower...

I'm with you!

Sorce
 

Anthony

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But @sorce,

this technique I am passing onto you will speed everything up.

The big roots are how you build your eagle/s claw.
If you do it on a tile [ if the tree exhibits elevated roots ] you can see and
control your root thickening.

You will have passable bonsai in 5 to 8 years.
Then the look of age will set in.

You would want the colander for refinement, and I even left an idea here of
making rectangular mesh pots to keep your trees for the maximised use of
soil mode.
Placing this mesh pot into a bonsai pot for exhibition.

You need to understand that fine feeders are linked to branchlets and smaller leaves..

Aside - what may be happening is the soil mix in the colanders may not be correct
If it drains faster ---------- one might be able to make a more organic rich soil ------
and thus feed more richly without fertiliser.
[ hmm something to test - Muhuhahhha ]

Back to Sorce ----

what I am trying to show is Bonsai need not take as long as was traditionally believed.
AND it is time for you younger guys to push the ideas - again.
Good Day
Anthony



a
 

Anthony

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@sorce ,

forgot to say, the reason it takes 3 to 5 years to master Health, is because,
if you are doing daily, the urge to slow things down to a crawl [ pruning, repotting,
over watering, over fertilising, not understanding plant to climate etc.]
is strongest.

What you want is trunks for the size you can handle --- remember 1 inch trunk to 6 inches height or
width -------- and the eagles claw as roots go [ if the plant exhibits the feature.]

Until you don't have that trunk/root bit ----------- it is a no go.

Easiest to just do a formal upright or wire up for an informal.
Also watch how the trunk in growing eats the curves up to get straight.

You can also add in the tests to get the 6 branches.

This is also why we suggest 300 plants when you start Bonsai.

Which is why every month down here we are giving away 30 to 40. 6 oz styro cups with trees.
To help folk get over the ---- yamma yamma ------- and learn to just let things grow.
This month features - local ficus and Chinese elms.

In February 2018, the month of repotting, the group is expected to show results - growing or dead
and repot.
Good Day
Anthony
 
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