Viburnum leaf hazing and styling question

[dahender]

Hi All,

You guys have been really inspirational for this first year bonsai student. Thanks a bunch!

One of my experiments is this Viburnum, purchased from a big box store here in northern CA.
It was discounted because it was struggling, but the tree had some interesting exposed roots and trunk characteristics so I bought it.


Questions:
- I'm thinking about cutting off one of the 2 main branches to simplify the growth pattern. Otherwise looks like an odd broom shaped tree. The tree is about 14" tall from the bottom of the trunk. I've had it for about 5 months, and overall it seems to be in good health. Any ideas? If i cut it back, do i need to wait until winter?

- Most of the leaves have some white hazing on them, mostly the older growth. We had a late warm season here in norCal, but can't figure out if this hazing is normal or something which needs to be treated?

All opinions are welcome as I'm completely in learning mode right now.

Kind Regards,

Dave

 

[gergwebber]

ummm looks like hard water stains...???

do you:


A) live in a city with a ground water source?

B) water the leaves or irrigate top down?

you could get a really awesome filtration system.

or water by hand only getting the soil. but hard water essentially has a high concentration of salts, and this will build up in the soils of most potted plants.



or it may bee powdery mildew... I guess I need a close up pic

see this walter pall video and listen to the advice of a modern bonsai prophet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccOGUj9b6dc

 

[JudyB]

Welcome Dave.
I think you would want to wait till late winter to do this major of a cut on the tree. But I don't have viburnums, (except in the yard...) so maybe someone who has this type can tell you more.

 

[dahender]

thanks

ummm looks like hard water stains...???

do you:


A) live in a city with a ground water source?

dh: Yes, i'm in the suburbs with city water, no filter

B) water the leaves or irrigate top down?

dh: the trees only get watered from above when it's really dry out, maybe once per month. All watering is with low drip feeders which broadcast the water in about a 6" circle.

you could get a really awesome filtration system.

dh: Thanks, i'll look into this!

or water by hand only getting the soil. but hard water essentially has a high concentration of salts, and this will build up in the soils of most potted plants.



or it may bee powdery mildew... I guess I need a close up pic

see this walter pall video and listen to the advice of a modern bonsai prophet:
dh: Thanks for the Walter videos, he's really knowledgable.

 

[dahender]

It was fungus

I brought the plant into the house last night and found that it smelled like stinky socks. Sprayed it with an anti-fungal solution and now it already looks much better.

Thanks again for the help! Now to figure out what kind of style to give this thing.

Dave

ummm looks like hard water stains...???

do you:


A) live in a city with a ground water source?

B) water the leaves or irrigate top down?

you could get a really awesome filtration system.

or water by hand only getting the soil. but hard water essentially has a high concentration of salts, and this will build up in the soils of most potted plants.



or it may bee powdery mildew... I guess I need a close up pic

see this walter pall video and listen to the advice of a modern bonsai prophet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccOGUj9b6dc