New Vitex Chaste Tree

[JoeR]

Lowes had some good fall sales today (sadly not on the mugos !) so I picked up a cotoneaster for $3 and a Vitex Chaste tree for $10. Its very leggy but I have read they take well to a drastic pruning in the winter. They have nice flowers, bark, and leaves so i figured why not for $10.

Heres the subject:



And heres where I want to prune it to:


What do you guys think? Any experience with these?

 

[aml1014]

I have a vitex and rhis year alone it was pruned 6 times to stop it flowering and in that time alone the leaf size reduced by easily half. These things back budd like crazy and it's almost annoying at times having to rub budds off of the trunk but nevertheless it's for sure one of my fastest growing trees and it came take a hell of a beating. As for yours it's got some nice potential and your plan for it in my eyes is perfect. Good look with your vitex and keep us updated on it.

 

[JoeR]

I have a vitex and rhis year alone it was pruned 6 times to stop it flowering and in that time alone the leaf size reduced by easily half. These things back budd like crazy and it's almost annoying at times having to rub budds off of the trunk but nevertheless it's for sure one of my fastest growing trees and it came take a hell of a beating. As for yours it's got some nice potential and your plan for it in my eyes is perfect. Good look with your vitex and keep us updated on it.

Do they survive such a drastic chop? It will be reduced to no foliage this spring if thats an option.

 

[Txhorticulture]

It's a common item here which speaks to its durability. They did great this year with all the rain we had early this summer.

I don't know for sure but I wouldn't hesitate to chop it all the way to a bare Trunk. I mean it's just ten bucks and odds are it will be fine.

 

[aml1014]

Do they survive such a drastic chop? It will be reduced to no foliage this spring if thats an option.

I will guarantee as long as it winters over fine when you chop it, it'll be super vigorous, my only issue with the species is that it is so vigorous it tends to have long internodes so I always cut back to the first pair which is good for ramification anyways

 

[Cypress187]

You have alot of 'broken' branches (stumps) on the thrunk, how did that come?

 

[JoeR]

You have alot of 'broken' branches (stumps) on the thrunk, how did that come?

Not sure, that why it was marked down at the store. Most of the branches were broken/dry.

 

[DougB]

Joe I have one in my yard. Early each spring I cut it just about to the ground and a couple of months later it is busy and over 6' tall. Then some more trimming. It is almost 10 years old and beautiful when flowing most of the summer. By the way it attracts every type of bee and nectar seeking flying insect in the area. A really neat tree for NC. Keep the roots safe this winter and you should be rewarded next spring.

 

[JoeR]

Joe I have one in my yard. Early each spring I cut it just about to the ground and a couple of months later it is busy and over 6' tall. Then some more trimming. It is almost 10 years old and beautiful when flowing most of the summer. By the way it attracts every type of bee and nectar seeking flying insect in the area. A really neat tree for NC. Keep the roots safe this winter and you should be rewarded next spring.

How exactly do I successfully 'keep the roots safe'?
I havent read they need special attention there.

 

[DougB]

Joe you should be able to place the pot on a bed of straw/pine straw out of the wind. Then mulch at least up to the first branches. I have even totally covered my trees with pine straw with good results. It is only that bad year that we have an extended freeze or the temp dips to 0f. If you have not visited the Raleigh club you would be very welcome. The web site, trianglebonsai.com has monthly care tips. Also there is always a large selection of bonsai at the state fair. Good luck.

 

[JoeR]

Joe you should be able to place the pot on a bed of straw/pine straw out of the wind. Then mulch at least up to the first branches. I have even totally covered my trees with pine straw with good results. It is only that bad year that we have an extended freeze or the temp dips to 0f. If you have not visited the Raleigh club you would be very welcome. The web site, trianglebonsai.com has monthly care tips. Also there is always a large selection of bonsai at the state fair. Good luck.

Thanks for the info doug.

I saw some of the bonsai trees at the fair last year but I dont remember there being very many trees. I remember a really nice forest on a slab though.

How many people normally attend the monthly meeting?

 

[DougB]

The Triangle Bonsai Club meets in Raleigh, NC. We normally have over 30 folks. There are many new comers among the well experienced folks. We will welcome Bjorn Borjholm to our next meeting on Oct 18th and Arthur Joura on Nov 1st. You are more than welcome. Info at http://www.trianglebonsai.com/ and also subscribe to our mailings. More questions just PM me.

 

[JoeR]

Or maybe this will be a better front now. Shows more of the trunks wiggle.

 

[milehigh_7]

Do they survive such a drastic chop? It will be reduced to no foliage this spring if thats an option.

You can chop them to the ground and they will grow back. They bud back wonderfully and I have reduced the leaves to smaller than a dime.

 

[milehigh_7]

Feel free to ask me stuff on these I have kept many. Doug's right you must keep on top of the pruning or they will get away from you and turn leggy.

Here is a picture of one I used to have. I got it much smaller than this before I sold it.

 

[JoeR]

Hmmm seems to be struggling to recover...




Should have chopped it lower, I was expecting dieback. Oh well.

 

[JoeR]

Pictures really do it no justice... I need to take some better photos tomorrow.

 

[milehigh_7]

It will be fine let it dry before you water and sun sun sun. Oh and I don't know if I have ever had dieback...

 

[JoeR]

Looking better, but still not the best picture

 

[BethF]

Interesting, the chasteberry trees growing here have palmate leaves that kind of look like a cross between those of an acer palmatum and a cannabis setiva.