One of the best grow schedules (actually the only one I know of) for Larch
is in the out-of-print 'Bonsai Design: Scots Pine, Common Juniper, Japanese
Larch' by Peter Adams. It's rather scarce but you can sometimes find it at
bonsai conventions. The ISBN is 0 948224 00 2 (1985)

David J. Bockman, Fairfax, VA (USDA Hardiness Zone 7)
Bunabayashi Bonsai On The World Wide Web: http://www.bunabayashi.com
email:


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf
Of Neal Ross
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 6:26 AM
To:
Subject: [IBC] developing larches from seedlings


I have tried to find info on developing Larches as bonsai and the
only really good info I can find is by Colin Lewis. Unfortunately
his books and article in Bonsai Today deal with maintaining or
styling already developed trees. I am wondering how one develops
ramification while they are still at an early age.

If I understand Colins articles correctly the larches grow
extending shoots and you can pinch them back to within a couple
millimeters of the base and they will produce buds at the base of
that shoot. Also under optimum conditions you can prune back on a
branch and some of the spurs will regain their juvenille state
and start extending.

So my question is when you want to grow out a branch and get your
ramification should you allow the branch to grow out to the
desired thicknes and then prune back to a spur and hope that it
will start extending, (clip and grow), or do you pinch back the
extending shoots and allow the new buds that form time to grow
out and harden up, then repeat the process further down on the
new growth.

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