My cheap SUV. Black pussy willow

[_#1_]

From my rather brief experience with Salix in Philly PA, large branch chops led to soft spongy wood in one season. Wood so soft I can pick them apart with my fingernail. But they grow fast and callous roll over pretty well too.

I've since moved to hell, I mean Houston and the plant was left behind in my sister's property either growing wild or dead

Still figuring out what species I can get away with in Houston

 

[Eckhoffw]

From my rather brief experience with Salix in Philly PA, large branch chops led to soft spongy wood in one season. Wood so soft I can pick them apart with my fingernail. But they grow fast and callous roll over pretty well too.

I've since moved to hell, I mean Houston and the plant was left behind in my sister's property either growing wild or dead

Still figuring out what species I can get away with in Houston

I would think junipers and pines would be your bread ‘n butter. I would think Bougainvillea would work. Is it much too dry for tropicals?

either way, I hope you enjoy your new spot!

 

[_#1_]

Thanks man. HOT here but I don't miss the ice and snow of NE US lol

Oh yeah def junipers and certain pine species. Tropicals actually will need some nights protected by going indoors. First winter here I see 3 nights of frost. one night a thin sheet of ice actually formed on a bucket of water, so it can get cold, if for only a couple ours.

But I swear I might have seen some weeping willows here...

 

[Eckhoffw]

As it looks now. Like most of my deciduous, it has gotten sun burnt as of late.

 

[MMJNICE]

I’ll see if I can remember to snap some photos throw evening.
So far I haven’t experienced any rot problems with mine.
I think that was @Microscopic with the rot going on.

OK cool,,some pics would be awesome.. I haven't lost interest in my willow tree even though I have much better prospects. At the very least I'll keep it around for it's spring show of cat-tails or whatever those cool black things are.. and it's nice to cut on something that grows so fast that whatever mistakes you've made will disappear and a couple of months to a year tops.. so whatever regrowth I get before winter should have those black cat-tails am I correct?

 

[MMJNICE]

View attachment 446943As it looks now. Like most of my deciduous, it has gotten sun burnt as of late.

I must say you have made a rather decent bonsai out of that wild beast hehehehe...

Thanks man. HOT here but I don't miss the ice and snow of NE US lol

Oh yeah def junipers and certain pine species. Tropicals actually will need some nights protected by going indoors. First winter here I see 3 nights of frost. one night a thin sheet of ice actually formed on a bucket of water, so it can get cold, if for only a couple ours.

But I swear I might have seen some weeping willows here...

Seems like all you would need is lots of water and a soil mix that can hold lots of water.. and maybe a shade cloth cuz I know it gets dam hot out there..

 

[Eckhoffw]

I must say you have made a rather decent bonsai out of that wild beast hehehehe...

Seems like all you would need is lots of water and a soil mix that can hold lots of water.. and maybe a shade cloth cuz I know it gets dam hot out there..

Yeah, lots of water. I’m never afraid to douse the willow. I will have to do something with that big swooping arch for a crown.

 

[MMJNICE]

Yeah, lots of water. I’m never afraid to douse the willow. I will have to do something with that big swooping arch for a crown.

I'm somewhat new to Bonsai but I have a fair amount of time to read and research. I haven't given much thought into what direction I want to go, meaning I have no clue... the art of styling a Bonsai has somewhat been my weakness.... besides killing a few here and there.. but here is my ugly Duckling.. Styling tips are welcome ..

 

[Eckhoffw]

I'm somewhat new to Bonsai but I have a fair amount of time to read and research. I haven't given much thought into what direction I want to go, meaning I have no clue... the art of styling a Bonsai has somewhat been my weakness.... besides killing a few here and there.. but here is my ugly Duckling.. Styling tips are welcome ..

Sorry for snoozing on this thread!
Was just looking back and figured I’d reply and update.
I like the trunk on yours! Definitely seams like a good base to work with.
Those thick taper-less branches happen so fast in these.
Almost like re chopping is a frequent technique to get finer twigging.

Mine is pretty sad right now. Not exactly sure what happened.
It got fried this summer, then I put it in the shade. Not a good idea.
The lower branches have suffered, and the growth is long and leggy and mostly all on top.
I think I’m going to chop it down to about 6” above the soil level next spring and see if It will start over.

 

[AJL]

If you're going to chop it down that far be sure to plant all the cuttings just in case you kill the parent so you will have some spares to play with. They root really easily from 6 inch long hardwood cuttings planted about 3 inches deep now and then maybe next year you could sell some !!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

@Eckhoffw
Don't just hedge cut off at 6 inches, select to create taper, your fattest trunk should be the tallest, select branches so it tapers from fat to thin, let it be maybe 8 inches to a foot tall, others chop lower. Thinnest trunks the lowest. This will give you more "tree-ness" in appearance rather than "shrub-ness".

I like how this has developed in relatively short time.

 

[MMJNICE]

Sorry for snoozing on this thread!
Was just looking back and figured I’d reply and update.
I like the trunk on yours! Definitely seams like a good base to work with.
Those thick taper-less branches happen so fast in these.
Almost like re chopping is a frequent technique to get finer twigging.

Mine is pretty sad right now. Not exactly sure what happened.
It got fried this summer, then I put it in the shade. Not a good idea.
The lower branches have suffered, and the growth is long and leggy and mostly all on top. View attachment 459346View attachment 459347View attachment 459348View attachment 459350View attachment 459349
I think I’m going to chop it down to about 6” above the soil level next spring and see if It will start over.

IDK man, it kinda looks like one of those trees on the African plane's.. ... put a mini leopard figuring dragging a Zebra up the trunk of the willow and I'm sold! I do of course see the leggyness that you're talking about but it seems to have smaller leaves then my willow. Must be the potting soil that your using.. whatever mine was planted in was like fluffy air soil nothingness. The pot would be bone dry after 10 hours of moderate heat in the summer. But I low key gave up on mine tho.. I planted it on my new Japanese style garden at my house. It will be next to a pond next year and I'm sure it will explode in growth.. especially next to water and my shotty landscape skills I'll still keep an eye on it and nip nip because truth be told everything I planted is subject to be turned into a bonsai later after it maturers a bit.. but I guess I won't be seeing tiny leaves like yours.. and two more things.... your greenhouse looks amazing and did you build it yourself? Do you think that jin/sharI will hold up more the 2-4 years?

 

[Pixar]

Love that black pussy willow

 

[Eckhoffw]

@Eckhoffw
Don't just hedge cut off at 6 inches, select to create taper, your fattest trunk should be the tallest, select branches so it tapers from fat to thin, let it be maybe 8 inches to a foot tall, others chop lower. Thinnest trunks the lowest. This will give you more "tree-ness" in appearance rather than "shrub-ness".

I like how this has developed in relatively short time.

Thanks Leo. Yeah I agree with varied cutting heights relative to the thickness.
When I do chop it I’ll give it some thought. I was being a little rash about it since the sorry looking state it’s in I guess.

 

[Eckhoffw]

If you're going to chop it down that far be sure to plant all the cuttings just in case you kill the parent so you will have some spares to play with. They root really easily from 6 inch long hardwood cuttings planted about 3 inches deep now and then maybe next year you could sell some !!

Will do. I’ll be more than happy to give the cuttings away as I already have a seed tray with about a dozen going.

 

[Pixar]

Love that black pussy willow

Love to make a cultivar variety and name it big hairy black pussy willow

 

[Pixar]

Will do. I’ll be more than happy to give the cuttings away as I already have a seed tray with about a dozen going.

Could you send a cutting to New Zealand ? I’m happy to send you something in return

 

[Pixar]

Could you send a cutting to New Zealand ? I’m happy to send you something in return

any response please ?

 

[Eckhoffw]

any response please ?

Sure. I’m just not versed in sending plants over seas.

 

[Pixar]

This is how I would do it .
expose the cutting and wrap the root system with some flax ,so the root also have some sand material covering them ( make sure the sand is wet before doing it )
then wrap the root system with insulation tape
Wrap the entire cutting in bubble wrap and put in evelope etc

post in normal evelope ( international mail etc.. )
hopefully it come through