Mike Jones
Seedling
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Hi all
Sorry to jump straight in with a thought, but didn't see a 'say hello' section (does anyone read them anyway?
Over the past couple of decades I have had some wonderful Satsuki that sadly died. All were fine until it came to repotting. I've not ever done a bare rooted repot because I never really felt it was appropriate for my trees. All were fine year after year until repotting time.
I know ... the first thought must be I don't have a 'scoob'y about technique. There comes a double edged sword which I'll explain in a moment.
So I have three very nice satsuki, gyouten & two kaho. I have had them for three years and I am going to repot this season but not post flowering; I was intending to do this around about the first week of April (UK) remove almost all flower buds and repot. I use Kanuma, sifted, graded large at the base and smaller as you get towards the rim; I mix in about 10% Sphagnum moss chopped to a good size. On every occasion I have not bare rooted as I felt the root ball was healthy in all cases ... but, all of my earlier repots have been undertaken post flowering. Oh each tree was given a layer of chopped sphagnum to aid humidity.
This time I felt pre-flowering seemed sensible. My question is: To bare root repot or not. If not I would remove around 20% of the depth of the root ball, 20% from the sides and carefully work the surface roots; all the time looking for any damaged roots to remove.
So I would be really grateful if anyone could give me their opinion on bare root pot on or not.
So, now comes the reason/s for the losses I have had. I always felt it was the following Winter, we have had some bad ones these past few years here; and I am in the South West, 'traditionally' milder Winters .... NOT.
I did over winter in an unheated greenhouse and checked for watering once every 2-3 weeks or so, refraining if not required. Indeed when repotted I would drench once and then wait until the tree needed it and also refrained from feeding for 8-10 weeks. Trees tied in using chopsticks for anchor points to save surface or base roots getting damaged. But they all have died. And one was a noted tree ... sigh.
The one thing they all share in common is when I repotted I would soak the root ball in a (here we go, I've been dreading saying this) ... solution of superthrive, around 3-4ml to 5 litres (gallon, near as), pot up and water with a fine rose with the remaining solution containing ST.
OK, I've stopped using it now and have been trialling an organic product especially designed for root stress after repotting from the Netherlands. Far to early to tell, but so far so good (not a rubber boot waved over either Will) nor am I rubbing the pot three times with my left palm whilst standing on one leg.
Repotting 'was' being undertaken in all cases post flowering (I know tree exhausted but all teachings I had studied suggested this other than a weak tree).
ST was used in all cases and I further used ST as a foliar mist to keep humidity going. I am aware of just about everything being said on ST from both sides I should say.
Trees were kept in dappled shade after repotting for 4 weeks, an hour in the morning sun directly and late afternoon. Other than that they were protected from wind, rain and sun. Pots were kept cool.
Apart from the obvious that the ST killed them, what do you think?
Oh and bare root on my three Satsuki or not for repot coming soon?
I suppose I should have added that I have managed many-many repots of varying species of Bonsai and collected material, every single one has survived. yes I used ST on them in the same way.
Thanks
Mike
Sorry to jump straight in with a thought, but didn't see a 'say hello' section (does anyone read them anyway?
Over the past couple of decades I have had some wonderful Satsuki that sadly died. All were fine until it came to repotting. I've not ever done a bare rooted repot because I never really felt it was appropriate for my trees. All were fine year after year until repotting time.
I know ... the first thought must be I don't have a 'scoob'y about technique. There comes a double edged sword which I'll explain in a moment.
So I have three very nice satsuki, gyouten & two kaho. I have had them for three years and I am going to repot this season but not post flowering; I was intending to do this around about the first week of April (UK) remove almost all flower buds and repot. I use Kanuma, sifted, graded large at the base and smaller as you get towards the rim; I mix in about 10% Sphagnum moss chopped to a good size. On every occasion I have not bare rooted as I felt the root ball was healthy in all cases ... but, all of my earlier repots have been undertaken post flowering. Oh each tree was given a layer of chopped sphagnum to aid humidity.
This time I felt pre-flowering seemed sensible. My question is: To bare root repot or not. If not I would remove around 20% of the depth of the root ball, 20% from the sides and carefully work the surface roots; all the time looking for any damaged roots to remove.
So I would be really grateful if anyone could give me their opinion on bare root pot on or not.
So, now comes the reason/s for the losses I have had. I always felt it was the following Winter, we have had some bad ones these past few years here; and I am in the South West, 'traditionally' milder Winters .... NOT.
I did over winter in an unheated greenhouse and checked for watering once every 2-3 weeks or so, refraining if not required. Indeed when repotted I would drench once and then wait until the tree needed it and also refrained from feeding for 8-10 weeks. Trees tied in using chopsticks for anchor points to save surface or base roots getting damaged. But they all have died. And one was a noted tree ... sigh.
The one thing they all share in common is when I repotted I would soak the root ball in a (here we go, I've been dreading saying this) ... solution of superthrive, around 3-4ml to 5 litres (gallon, near as), pot up and water with a fine rose with the remaining solution containing ST.
OK, I've stopped using it now and have been trialling an organic product especially designed for root stress after repotting from the Netherlands. Far to early to tell, but so far so good (not a rubber boot waved over either Will) nor am I rubbing the pot three times with my left palm whilst standing on one leg.
Repotting 'was' being undertaken in all cases post flowering (I know tree exhausted but all teachings I had studied suggested this other than a weak tree).
ST was used in all cases and I further used ST as a foliar mist to keep humidity going. I am aware of just about everything being said on ST from both sides I should say.
Trees were kept in dappled shade after repotting for 4 weeks, an hour in the morning sun directly and late afternoon. Other than that they were protected from wind, rain and sun. Pots were kept cool.
Apart from the obvious that the ST killed them, what do you think?
Oh and bare root on my three Satsuki or not for repot coming soon?
I suppose I should have added that I have managed many-many repots of varying species of Bonsai and collected material, every single one has survived. yes I used ST on them in the same way.
Thanks
Mike
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