Little Spekboom... then and now.

just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
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Does it hold the shape from the wire?
Yes, I've had minimal issues with bounce-back...probably just not on long enough.
Good post. You did a great job taking pics to show it's progresion. I received a p. Afra from a older guy that passed. I didn't know what to do with it untill I saw your post. I'm kinda looking to do the same. I cut it back and now am working on branch structure. Before and after pic. Thanks again for the post.
Thanks, nice.
Definitely let it grow back now.
 

Timbo

Chumono
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When you repot and root prune, do you keep the new "soil" bone dry so the roots don't rot? I read you wait till they start growing to water them after repot.
 

just.wing.it

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When you repot and root prune, do you keep the new "soil" bone dry so the roots don't rot? I read you wait till they start growing to water them after repot.
Actually, I repot it just like anything, and give it a thorough watering immediately after the work.
In fact if you look close at the pics from July, when I repotted it last, you can see water droplets on the pot and foliage. I took the pics right after repotting and watering.

I will say that you got me thinking though...I know with cuttings, you have to let them dry out for several days, to a week before potting and watering...and I've rooted many cuttings from this tree like that....probably 50 or so that I gave away but for one.
Might do fine that way too...they're tough plants.
 
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Timbo

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Actually, I repot it just like anything, and give it a thorough watering immediately after the work.
In fact if you look close at the pics from July, when I repotted it last, you can see water droplets on the pot and foliage. I took the pics right after repotting and watering.

I will say that you got me thinking though...I know with cuttings, you have to let them dry out for several days, to a week before potting and watering...and I've rooted many cuttings from this tree like that....probably 50 or so that I gave away but for one.
Might do fine that way too...they're tough plants.

Ok, Thanks...going to divide and repot some that have been in the original nursery pot (after the soil dries out). Maybe i'll just make the soil lightly damp and just mist the tree every once in a while. They gotta be tough to grow in this potting soil :p
 

Carol 83

Flower Girl
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Actually, I repot it just like anything, and give it a thorough watering immediately after the work.
In fact if you look close at the pics from July, when I repotted it last, you can see water droplets on the pot and foliage. I took the pics right after repotting and watering.

I will say that you got me thinking though...I know with cuttings, you have to let them dry out for several days, to a week before potting and watering...and I've rooted many cuttings from this tree like that....probably 50 or so that I gave away but for one.
Might do fine that way too...they're tough plants.
I've never let the cuttings dry out, just stuck them in some cactus soil and waited to see some growth, before watering. Not saying that it's the correct way to do it, just that it works for me.
 

Timbo

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I get too much rot if i don't let succulents them dry out for a few days, but if it works for you why bother doing extra steps! ;)
 

just.wing.it

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Filling back in a bit....growing better than I expected in my basement, I think it gets to 55 degrees down there over night.
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I think this year I want to let it grow some long extensions, instead of only 6 or 8 pairs of leaves.
I want to make sure the branches stay put, and I want to try go get some thickening in the base.
I think letting it run will help.

Edit....and I need to clean off the water/fert scale on the base if the trunk.
 

just.wing.it

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The smaller one is doing well, I re-dressed the surface with sifted Turface today.
Both of these are beginning to grow, can't wait to get them outdoors in some sunlight....some pics of them both.
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Nanuk

Shohin
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Looking good Mike.
For some reason I have killed the three that I had in the past.
Got a forth one about two months ago. Trying my best not to kill this one.

How often do you water yours?
I keep reading about how these guys are hard to kill but it seems to be no problem for me.
I may be loving them to death. Probably am.
 

just.wing.it

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Looking good Mike.
For some reason I have killed the three that I had in the past.
Got a forth one about two months ago. Trying my best not to kill this one.

How often do you water yours?
I keep reading about how these guys are hard to kill but it seems to be no problem for me.
I may be loving them to death. Probably am.
I try to let them dry out as much as I can between watering, and I fertilize strong....But due to my work schedule my trees are on a timer during the day and all get watered at least once per day at this point in the year.
 

just.wing.it

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After about two weeks I noticed the branches bouncing back a bit. So I utilized some guy wires under the pot and brought them back down. Getting some new growth now, and two shoots down near the base which I will keep as long as I can, as sacrifices. Hopefully they will help fix the reverse taper issue.
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eb84327

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just.wing.it

Deadwood Head
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looks nice. curious what u r using for grow medium? i have been using super small straight pumice for the couple i have in pots that size.
This small guy is in turface fines. Had sphagnum on top, just replaced the other day with a bit of live moss.
 
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