Maintenance clip and grow salicifolia

[luvinthemountains]

I am trying to make up my mind on whether clip and grow works for this species. It just seems to take so long to see progress! Most of the time, it just feels like one step forward, two steps back.

Gutsy move removing that thick sub-branch, by the way! I think you will be happy with the choice in the long run. Did the cuttings take? I have never let mine dry out before planting before, so I can't say one way or the other.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I am trying to make up my mind on whether clip and grow works for this species. It just seems to take so long to see progress! Most of the time, it just feels like one step forward, two steps back.

Gutsy move removing that thick sub-branch, by the way! I think you will be happy with the choice in the long run. Did the cuttings take? I have never let mine dry out before planting before, so I can't say one way or the other.

I know what you mean about one step forward and two back, but I try to think of it as two steps forward and one step back.

That occurred to me while I was working a JBP last week and I had to go a little harder to reduce knuckles. It looked worse than it did around the same time last year, but thats because I neglected to select for bifurcation last year.

It looks like a few cuttings did take, but not all of them. I’ll try to post when I pot them up shortly.. I think I got some Juniper cuttings this year too.

 

[luvinthemountains]

I know what you mean about one step forward and two back, but I try to think of it as two steps forward and one step back.

You are probably right about that. My ADHD sometimes makes it hard to envision either the future or the past, so I think I can blame my less sunny view on it.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

You are probably right about that. My ADHD sometimes makes it hard to envision either the future or the past, so I think I can blame my less sunny view on it.

My strategy generally tends towards embracing design elements without envisioning a final design. Although, it lets the tree lead me it can be a bit short sighted.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

it looks like the branch I removed was among the cuttings that took. Should be a nice little start.

 

[KateM]

it looks like the branch I removed was among the cuttings that took. Should be a nice little start.
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This is fertilizer pellet in the middle, right?

 

[MrFancyPlants]

This is fertilizer pellet in the middle, right?

Yes it is. Agriform. I don’t generally use on deciduous, but ficus and JBP and others love it. It is too high N for a finished tree, but also can bring a weak tree out of the doldrums.

 

[KateM]

Thanks.
I bought some of that and use it on my larger trees in pots I am growing out.
I did put it in my pines and they are the darkest green they've ever been.
Did not think to try it on ficus. Do you break up cakes in smaller pieces?
I am watching your thread as I have 3 willowleafs I am trying to fatten up.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Thanks.
I bought some of that and use it on my larger trees in pots I am growing out.
I did put it in my pines and they are the darkest green they've ever been.
Did not think to try it on ficus. Do you break up cakes in smaller pieces?
I am watching your thread as I have 3 willowleafs I am trying to fatten up.

I don’t even break them up, though there are 2 sizes and I have the smaller tablet size.

 

[KateM]

Thanks. I got the larger.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Are they sticks or bigger tablets. If sticks maybe you could hack saw them?

 

[KateM]

They are tablets. I am cutting them in quarters with my secateurs.