Thuja Occidentalis (1 and 2) -

HorseloverFat

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I have been starting a couple threads on plants in my possession which I’d like to document.

This pair of thujas have not been worked at all since collection in Feb 2020....

These specimens are not too much to take in visually at the moment, but I’m planning big(ish) things. 😆

They are taking a year-long sabbatical to focus on “themselves”..

(pardon the hilariously “po’folk” containers, as usual.)

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HorseloverFat

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Prune and new angle on number 2.
Just gotta slap some wire on..UNstraighten a few things... drop some others. ;)
I shall do it in the early morning..
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HorseloverFat

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UPDATE Thuja 1

Gave it it’s first rough “shaping”... that zip-tied branch at the BOTTOM.. is for a future “jin”..

I will be “rough wiring” both of these Thujas in the morning.. so set them on their way.
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I’m bringing in that foliage.. but slowly.
 

HorseloverFat

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Number 2..

Set with wire (and a zip-tie🤣) to begin it’s journey..

Gave it a slight haircut to “Chase” the foliage back. 🤓
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HorseloverFat

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Thuja 1... “Set” with Wire and zip tie.. slowly reducing branch length.. chasing foliage..

The lowest branch is be grown out for “Jin” purposes.

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HorseloverFat

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Going to go ahead and document MOST of my Thuja work in this thread... waste not, want not.

I collected these two dudes, yesterday.
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HorseloverFat

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Update: 1 & 2

due to damages sustained this winter... number 2 needed a change of idea/intent.. and now.. just needs to be left alone for a good while. 🤓
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Number 1, unwired... i’m pleased with it’s performance... It will be reduced, quite considerably, in the fall..
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HorseloverFat

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Ok... it was time.... I was JUST discussing a similar matter with @JesusFreak in his olive tree thread....

I was trying to “hang on to” and style parts of the tree that would never be realistically “in scale”

So here it is, the first tree (that wasn’t a seedling) that I ever collected... next step.

I KNOW the wire is slack ‘round that ONE corner... I just didn’t want to impede the healing of the wound i just made. (@JesusFreak ’s wiring was better ;) )C8B27CC1-052E-4797-AF62-1FCC2C079A90.jpeg43BE21BB-3A7A-45E4-B39F-E3964E6ED2D0.jpeg6C5C3F2C-E1C3-4CB8-92A0-0D7048A5CA17.jpeg
 

HorseloverFat

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Ok! It was time to repot Number 1 .... actually the FIRST tree I've ever collected...(had to rinse clay out of the 'heart' (shin) (sp?)

I was able to get new growth where I wanted it on that first branch!

Spring 2024... it will be ready for a bonsai pot. 🤓C03CFE33-1C8A-4C2F-AB39-B91089CEFA9A.jpegA45D0550-1D26-4C1A-91B9-7038FBDFC140.jpegA5FDDEF2-4EF4-44A7-8DE4-3A0207284D5F.jpeg66F85201-1343-4D50-8BEB-A284684A6671.jpeg
 
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Frozentreehugger

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Nice work Bro . Like the 5 gallon pot . Think we have the same pot maker . Thuja will grow fast . In full sun . But water loving tree . Needs established good roots . For such a tough grow in extreme conditions tree . You can kill a Collected or fresh reposted one . In one hot summer day will take extreme cold . Dormant but if the roots are froze needs wind protection . Mine freeze solid on the bench .then go full dark I heated building .
 

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Thuja number four...

Sat and pondered on... for a good while... I have a plan, now. A fairly realistic and only SLIGHTLY, extremely lengthy. 😂

So I removed some obvious non-branches.. leaving some of those "post-summer" leathery new chutes emerging from locations throughout the mid-trunk.

I then brought back "better" branches a TOUCH.. not nearly where they need to be before beginning taper prunes... just chasing the foliage for next season..

I need a dremel. 😂 Well.. my SON will.. when he inherits this tree! 😂😂



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Frozentreehugger

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You pinch them in refinement to get tighter ramification . But not in development . You need established roots best at start second year after repot . Full sun lots of water and feed . It will get leggy . Let it grow mid summer to very early fall prune it hard . Must leave green . Thus we’ll get best back budding . Tough on old trees but this is your best shot at back budding . Your trees are young . Sun water feed you can probable prune earlier . Get back budding well going before winter .
 

Frozentreehugger

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Been carving the old dead bark off mine . Long anticipated get you guys a better look at it . And want it done before repot . No dremal just blades and patience . Been at it since daylight . Break time for lunch . A far bit different then peeling fresh bark off. . Stuff is nasty stuck there
 

HorseloverFat

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You pinch them in refinement to get tighter ramification . But not in development . You need established roots best at start second year after repot . Full sun lots of water and feed . It will get leggy . Let it grow mid summer to very early fall prune it hard . Must leave green . Thus we’ll get best back budding . Tough on old trees but this is your best shot at back budding . Your trees are young . Sun water feed you can probable prune earlier . Get back budding well going before winter .
Yes sir.. that's why those lil new chutes are staying... I know that they will back bud readily on old wood IF green growth at that "level" exists.. (Or super vigorous like some thujas grown on natural nurse-logs)

I have those little chutes.. or pre-thuja "rockets" at the crotches of almost every branch (on number 4) So I have foliage and options for growth every where I NEED... I just want MORE of my resources USED there. My, personal, way of accomplishing this is slowly, sometimes only one internodal branch segment at a time, redistribution of hormones... so that equal amounts of resources are being utilized at each maristem cluster.

Yeah.. I'm not just trimmin the edges, working on pads or anything like that.. 😂

Just "set 'er up" and "let 'er rip"

I, also, normally prune again( when needed) in early fall, as you've outlined.

🤓
 

HorseloverFat

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Been carving the old dead bark off mine . Long anticipated get you guys a better look at it . And want it done before repot . No dremal just blades and patience . Been at it since daylight . Break time for lunch . A far bit different then peeling fresh bark off. . Stuff is nasty stuck there
I can't wait to see it!

I have carving tools... but I'm not great at using them.. yet..

😂
 
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