Sumo Twisted Pomegranate

[halfclueless]

Went shopping today at House of Bonsai today to see if I could find a new species that I didn't have yet to work on. During the summer I saw that Vicki had several twisted pomegranate in 5 gallon containers with good size trunk, but during that time I could not see any of the trunk. Now in the middle of an 80*F winter I ran across this sumo of a pomegranate and had to have it.

The question is now how should I style it?

What type of pruning does it take to shape it?

It is my very first pomegranate!

.

These are the 2 possible fronts.

 

[JudyB]

That is an awesome stump. I don't know anything about the species, but this looks like a pretty natural start on a broom. I would've had to have it too!

 

[bonsai barry]

i agree with Judy, I'd go with broom style. I would remove any unsightly straight branches and then simply work on ramification.

 

[halfclueless]

I thought of going broom also, I just wanted to see if anybody saw something else. The other issue with this bad boy is there are a ton of large straight branches. I just don't know where I should start!

 

[edprocoat]

Nice looking tree, I have never worked with those either. It looks like several trees that have fused together, especially looking at the second pic.

ed

 

[halfclueless]

Who knows it could be a fused tree but, the other side is a solid side. I had a chance to poke around and it did have some rootage on that side. But, the nebari is much nicer on the 2nd photo.

 

[JudyB]

I thought of going broom also, I just wanted to see if anybody saw something else. The other issue with this bad boy is there are a ton of large straight branches. I just don't know where I should start!

If it's healthy, and vigorous (don't know the specie as I've stated) Then you can give it a hard cut back and start the branching over. Otherwise the branches will always be a problem. Take a look at my thread for my montpelier maple, somewhat the same problem on a different scale.
http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9562-Montpeiler-Maple

 

[bonsaibp]

They can be cut back hard and new buds will pop all over. You need to be carefull though because they'll thicken really quickly. I have a bunch of shohin sized ones that I have to trim almost weekly when they're growing.

 

[Brian Underwood]

This is GREAT material. I've had a couple Pomegranates over the years, and I can say that this tree is most likely not a fused trunk, not that it matters. As they get older they start to twist. So, that said, I would cut this guy back HARD. There are a lot of large, straight branches coming off the trunk, so each one should be cut as far back as possible, only saving the movement in each (see attached pic). This should encourage back budding and you can figure out your new plan from there. The ultimate goal is a well ramified broom style tree. Also, make sure to FERTILIZE come spring.

 

[halfclueless]

Thanks Judy, Bob and Brian for the advise!

I'm going to probably have to study it abit more over the next couple of weeks. I want to repot it this winter into a slight smaller pot and start working down those roots. During that repotting I can see the nebari and decide which will be my front. I like both sides but the photo #2 has the better nebari w/o dugging further.

Bob and Brian I will cut them back hard. The question is when can I start cutting those branches back without having much die back on them?

This goal one day! I'm sure that I probably want be able to pull something off like this but I can sure hope!

 

[nathanbs]

I suggest waiting until late winter, early spring for both repotting and cutback. Watch to see the buds start swelling. This is the time in my opinion

 

[bonsaibp]

They seem to bud out earlier then most so I wouldn't be surprised if the buds start swelling by late jan. I'd cut it and repot when you see the buds just start to move. If you're going to wire the new shoots do it quickly because they;ll harden off and become difficult to wire.

 

[halfclueless]

Thanks Nathan and Bob!

Seems like I'm going to cut it hard this January/February! With this weird hot weather I'm not sure its going to be that late.

 

[nathanbs]

Another thing to think about and I would defer to Bob on this one but this thing was dug out last winter correct me if I'm wrong? Did you say it put on some heavy growth this year and then was pruned again? If it was allowed to grow unrestrained over the last 12 months it should be fine but if the tree didn't really get a chance to build up any reserves from being dug out only 10-12 months ago I would be a little cautious

 

[bonsaibp]

Nathan has a good point but if you let these grow too long without pruning the branches get to thick too fast and you wind up with branches out of proportion. I would prune hard let the new growth extend to 7-8 leaves then lightly prune the tips of those branches you want to keep. That will slow down the thickening of the branches and still allow the tree to gain strength. Let the tree tell you how to proceed if it's growing strong you can be a little more aggressive if its not then back off a little.

 

[nathanbs]

I guess what I would be more worried about is the repot again this winter. Prune to your hearts content this year should be fine to repot next year. I would rather be safe than sorry. No immediate hurry as you have years upon years of branch development ahead of you

 

[fignewton]

tree

how much you spend on it if dont mind saying

 

[halfclueless]

$225 for a 20 year old one. Which for about 12 bucks a year for growing it is totally worth my money and time. As they say time is money and money is time. I know she has some on Ebay but they are 10-15 year old ones.

Best,

Tom

 

[halfclueless]

I actually started to cut back the branches and crave some of the larger wounds on this twisted pomegranate. I'll post some pictures later today when i get a chance.

Best,

Tom

 

[bonsai barry]

What may look like a fused trunk is the twisted trunk of this variety of pomegranate. Great piece of material.