SoHem Nation, Kiwi Check-in.

[jonathanvperth]

I don't know if this is a relevant answer, but if you're looking for info on NZ native trees, https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/forum/ is probably the place.

Although AusBonsai is Australian, there are members from the same geographic area, and New Zealand is much more comparable than a lot of places in Australia to Illinois.

Stfu...gatekeeper

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Hi,
So a couple of photos to add here. The Totara forest starting in the black crate.



Also, the Mountain Beech (Fuscaspora solandri) from two different angles. I have not found a front yet and lots of wiring to do over winter.


Charles

 

[Greenman99]

Hi,

Hi,
So a couple of photos to add here. The Totara forest starting in the black crate.
View attachment 294340
View attachment 294341

Also, the Mountain Beech (Fuscaspora solandri) from two different angles. I have not found a front yet and lots of wiring to do over winter.
View attachment 294342
View attachment 294343
Charles

So a couple of photos to add here. The Totara forest starting in the black crate.
View attachment 294340
View attachment 294341

Also, the Mountain Beech (Fuscaspora solandri) from two different angles. I have not found a front yet and lots of wiring to do over winter.
View attachment 294342
View attachment 294343
Charles

That's amazing material! Both totara forest and the single beech. Lots of potential, that maybe also makes it difficult too choose which direction to go.. .

 

[Greenman99]

Hi all, Kauri is throwing out new apex after pruning some weeks ago. See pics top left. It's the first (and only) new growth this season. It pops up from a leading branch that I pruned last year June. I see 2 options: 1. remove it to stimulate ramfication at the branches pruned some weeks ago. 2. let it grow for a year to give the tree a break after repotting and pruning. Going save think option 2 is the best. Any suggestions?

 

[SpOoNzL]

@Greenman99 I think since it has grown so little in almost a year I would leave the tree recover to gain vigour before I pruned again. May I ask what soil mix you are using for this tree? I plan on getting a few Kauri this winter and I think ill put them in quite a high organic mix probley lots of sheep poop, bark and pumice as I think like a lot of our native trees they prefer been on the damper side and hate drought. This is just my way though as I don't want to have to water my trees more then 3 times a day on hot days. The tree looks like its coming along nicely though!

 

[Greenman99]

@Greenman99 I think since it has grown so little in almost a year I would leave the tree recover to gain vigour before I pruned again. May I ask what soil mix you are using for this tree? I plan on getting a few Kauri this winter and I think ill put them in quite a high organic mix probley lots of sheep poop, bark and pumice as I think like a lot of our native trees they prefer been on the damper side and hate drought. This is just my way though as I don't want to have to water my trees more then 3 times a day on hot days. The tree looks like its coming along nicely though!

Yes I agree, I let it recover this growing season, no more pruning this year. The soil mix I am using is akadama/kiryuzuna 60/40, without adding any organic material. It's true your native trees prefer more damp conditions indeed. An highly organic mix will also do if you add plenty of bark and pumice I guess. Interesting to follow how they will do in that kinda soil.

My tree was in organic soil for the first 12 years or so. Last 2 years it was in a mix of akadama/lava and rootball developed very well. Now replaced the lava for kiryuzuna because lava seems quite sharp and could damage the roots. Also the pot it was in was too small too keep it in there for the next couple of years. I read that Kauri are able the grow in drier areas through the help of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi growing in the roots and help to increase the ability to absorb water and nutrients. As temperatures now stable around 20 degrees C for a longer period I will feed it once with some blood and bone. Besides that also adding some slow release fertilizer (Osmocote).
Finally topping it with a 2 inch layer of organic mulch. It is in full sun during the morning, half shade until mid afternoon full shade after that.

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Hi all,
Time to add a few more natives to this thread from my bonsai starter collection.

Podocarpus nivalis ( mountain totara) -really slow and was bought a few years ago similar to this. A bit more ramified and still trying to find a direction etc.

Southern Rata forest in the making. Slow going with this too, and very brittle so wiring I haven’t tried yet after breaking a couple of branches assembling. Spacing to even so next repot I will try again.


Podocarpus Lawrenceii (I think) - Aussie native but fun to grow so I will own this lol.
I think this has come a long way, and still more to do etc. Trunk thickening doesn’t happen, tempted to try the ground for a while.


I have had this Southern Rata the longest (5 years for me plus 3-5 years on the nursery. I am pleased with the progress and at least this one is way fun as it ramifies easily, won’t flower tho dammit.
I can’t remember if I have shown this before, and I might try wiring this to open out more. And needs to be thinned out a bit at the bottom as is more basal dominant.
That’s all for now.
Charles

 

[Greenman99]

Hi all,
Time to add a few more natives to this thread from my bonsai starter collection.

Podocarpus nivalis ( mountain totara) -really slow and was bought a few years ago similar to this. A bit more ramified and still trying to find a direction etc. View attachment 339509

Southern Rata forest in the making. Slow going with this too, and very brittle so wiring I haven’t tried yet after breaking a couple of branches assembling. Spacing to even so next repot I will try again.
View attachment 339510

Podocarpus Lawrenceii (I think) - Aussie native but fun to grow so I will own this lol.
I think this has come a long way, and still more to do etc. Trunk thickening doesn’t happen, tempted to try the ground for a while.
View attachment 339511View attachment 339512

I have had this Southern Rata the longest (5 years for me plus 3-5 years on the nursery. I am pleased with the progress and at least this one is way fun as it ramifies easily, won’t flower tho dammit.
View attachment 339513View attachment 339514View attachment 339515I can’t remember if I have shown this before, and I might try wiring this to open out more. And needs to be thinned out a bit at the bottom as is more basal dominant.
That’s all for now.
Charles

Thanks for sharing, great collection. That southern rata is really awesome, well done!

 

[sorce]

@scubily

Sorce

 

[scubily]

Thanks.
@sorce @KiwiPlantGuy

 

[Weta]

Lancewood that popped up wild in this about 15 years ago, decided to experiment and gave it a chop as a smaller one I've got reacted well, there is a small leaf real low, see what happens.

 

[Weta]

Totora.
My first attempt at an Air layer.
Gutted that the cows just had a munch damaging the small branches, oh well see how it goes.

 

[Weta]

Back buds on the Lancewood (from above) have appeared, happy happy joy joy.
Repot next year I think, been through enough stress.

 

[Weta]

Kowhai repot
Broke it's pot last year and was in a temporary subway salad dish lol.
Went hard on the root trim to spread out future growth

 

[Weta]

Found more slaters than roots on checking my Totara airlayer.
Maybe it was a mistake to do it around the knot, being the widest part I thought I'd give it ago.. Keep an eye on it until next spring.

 

[scubily]

@Weta - did your kowhai survive. I killed mine the last time I tried to chop the roots like that. i have another one that needs some root work but not sure how hard to go.