Peach Tree #2 (~Daygan)

[daygan]

(Posting for advice and constructive criticism)

Collection: Rescued in late December from a field in Zhejiang to be cleared for apartment development. Back-hoe driver scooped it up for me. Unfortunately, I had virtually nothing for extra soil, so its roots were soaked for a couple days and then just left half exposed (covered in wet towels) for about a week or two before I finally decided to use a bunch of pebbles that I had as a temporary soil substitute, covering about 50% of the roots. On March 13th, I finally filled in the rest of the root area with diatomaceous earth.

Main Trunk diameter: ~ 10 cm
Height: ~ 43 cm
Immediate plan: Allow to recover for a season. Maybe start wiring next Spring ... or the following Autumn.

Some photos from various angles. Those photos on the right are the best I can get of the back side, as it's just too heavy to move right now:

As can be seen, there are actually three trunks - the smaller two are attached to one runner that extends from the main trunk. I haven't decided yet whether or not I should separate them. Carved areas are places where I removed dead wood that I did not want, and one arial root. Furtunately, despite it's poor circumstances immediately after collection, this tree has formed leaf buds, many of which are already opening.

Coments, design ideas, and advice are welcome!

 

[daygan]

This tree is putting out great growth so far.

 

[Dav4]

If there is a trunk connecting everything above the soil, that could make a pretty cool raft...good save.

 

[daygan]

All three trunks are connected by a thick root... but it's thin in comparison to the thickness of the leftmost trunk. It is essentially at the soil surface level, and could be exposed if I decided to do that..

 

[Dav4]

I'd keep it covered for a few years and encourage more roots to form along the connecting trunk/root which will eventually be exposed...I think this could really be good with some development. Good luck,

Dave

 

[daygan]

The Other Side

I turned this tree around today (it wasn't that heavy) to try to get more sunlight (and hence more warmth) to the other side of the trunk to maybe encourage more budding on that side. Here's a photo. (I actually think I like this side is even better)

 

[gergwebber]

dude your in china! go see some awesome penjing for me!
those peaches will be great trees, are you going to let them bush out for a year or two, or start shaping branches now?
also, why did you--->

I finally filled in the rest of the root area with diatomaceous earth.

Is that a secret technique? Ive used that for pest control, but not as a soil media??? DE is pretty much just pure calcium carbonate yeah(but microscopic and sharp)?

 

[gergwebber]

dude your in china! go see some awesome penjing for me!
those peaches will be great trees, are you going to let them bush out for a year or two, or start shaping branches now?
also, why did you--->

I finally filled in the rest of the root area with diatomaceous earth.

Is that a secret technique? Ive used that for pest control, but not as a soil media??? DE is pretty much just pure calcium carbonate yeah(but microscopic and sharp)?

 

[daygan]

@Greg I really have no idea where to find the awesome penjing, honestly. It's all hidden I think there's a park somewhere in Shanghai with lots of penjing/bonsai, but I've never been. I showed my wife (Chinese) pictures of Harry Harrington's stuff and she was like - "that's way better than anything I've ever seen here" ... but then maybe she's just jaded... I'll go looking for those awesome penjing, though - just for you, Greg

In the meantime, here's a picture that a guy I know here in China took:


Wall by Jonathan Kos-Read, on Flickr

Is that a secret technique?

Not so secret, actually. But yes, it's a "technique" Essentially similar to Akadama or Turface (though some may contend that there are significant differences). Everything I have (20-some trees and saplings) is potted in diatomaceous earth, and everything grows really well.

 

[daygan]

I am learning with this tree and my "Peach Tree #1" that these trees easily put out secondary branching on first year growth. After noticing this a few weeks back, I started an experiment: I gently knocked off the "leader" leaf "head" at the tip of a few stems, and a few days later, I noticed that the stem was pushing secondary branches if it didn't already have them, or the secondary branches were growing even stronger, and in some cases, I've noticed tertiary branching starting to grow. For me, at least, this is very interesting

 

[gergwebber]

yeah, that vigor is usual for most of the prunus gang. I have an abundance of prunus americana and have already pruned this years growth at least once per tree. those that are getting trunk chops look like they are oozing green dred loks. if you don't keep at them you end up growing fishing poles!

 

[daygan]

Good to know!

 

[daygan]

Nothing earth-shattering here - just an update on growth. I've been away from my "bonsai home" for a few weeks and came back to find my tree had become a bush! Here are some before / after / after-after photos:

 

[daygan]

On May 23rd, I did another near-total defoliation. The new leaves are starting to show, so I thought I'd post a quick update.

First - the whole tree. (all of that "undergrowth foliage" is sacrifice branches)

A close up branch development (yes, out of focus - In truth, I've never actually owned a decent camera)

And two close ups of some of the branches with tighter internodes (with my hand/finger for perspective)

 

[gergwebber]

they are responding great! I can see them being great trees soon!
One of the reasons I like fruit trees in general is that you can do all of that in a year and they love it. It allows me (one who is relatively inexperienced and impatient) to put a lot of energy into a few trees that can take it a leave my slower more finicky trees alone.

 

[daygan]

Here's the newest photo I have (from June 5)

 

[daygan]

One of the reasons I like fruit trees in general is that you can do all of that in a year and they love it. It allows me (one who is relatively inexperienced and impatient) to put a lot of energy into a few trees that can take it a leave my slower more finicky trees alone.

I'm definitely finding the same to be true

 

[thumblessprimate]

How's she looking now? I imagine there being and abundance of foliage and branches now. Perhaps when I'm braver (usually after some liquid courage), I'll share with you the nectarine I'm working on. Not much to look at yet.

 

[daygan]

I should be able to get updated photos by next Wednesday... currently not in the town where most of my bonsai are...

 

[daygan]

Setback

Well, I came back on Wednesday to find that the superintendent of the building had evidently decided to go into my apartment and turn off the water that was feeding the watering system for my trees. Fortunately there has been enough rain that this tree was able to survive, but I lost quite a few important branches (they were just dry husks when I found them on Wednesday). I think for the rest of the year I'll just let things grow unchecked, and then next Spring, depending on vigor, I'll probably prune back hard to induce back-budding and get more branches in the places that I want them.