Ginkgo biloba

[JoeR]

I did.

I still like "mixed mix" with a little pozzolane and some composted bark pine, but yes, a higher proportion of akadama seems to be beneficial.

I used almost no fertilizer, only once or twice in the spring (liquid chemical 6-6-6).

Did you purposefully use minimal fert, and if so, why?

 

[AlainK]

Did you purposefully use minimal fert, and if so, why?

I usually give very little fertilizer to my trees. When I do, it's mainly to keep the pH at a reasonable level, for the soil and the water here is very hard.

That's why most of my trees grow very, very slowly.

 

[JoeR]

I usually give very little fertilizer to my trees. When I do, it's mainly to keep the pH at a reasonable level, for the soil and the water here is very hard.

That's why most of my trees grow very, very slowly.

Hmmm I guess I dont understand why you would want your trees to grow slowly? Am I missing something?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Hmmm I guess I dont understand why you would want your trees to grow slowly? Am I missing something?

There is more than one way to do bonsai. Using little or no fertilizer will give you slow growth - which gives you SHORT INTERNODES - often, when you use a lot of fertilizer, you get long internodes. Not a problem for species that produce adventitious buds between internodes easily. But for species that don't produce buds between internodes, this is an important way to get a refined look. It has its advantages. Down side, growth is slow. Responses to pruning and styling are not as vigorous as in other methods. But short internodes are important in refinement.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@AlainK - sorry, I should have let you respond to Joe's question. - Did I get your understanding correct?

 

[GGB]

@AlainK this tree still kicking around?