Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up. So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -

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************************************************** ******************************
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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Jay: For future reference, I would have simply brought the azaleas home, cleanly
pruned any torn ends of branches or roots, then planted them in landscape mix
(mulch) to let them recover from the ordeal until after flowering next spring.
Fortunately, azaleas have a shallow root system, and you usually can come up
with sufficient rootage, even if they were roughly pulled out.
I hope all that top pruning combined with the root work hasn't stressed them
too much. I would still recommend mulching them in the ground or a raised bed rather
than individually potting them at this time. If you have a greenhouse, it would be
good to protect them from extreme winter weather this year. If you have space in
your garage or storage building, you can do like Carl Rosner and build a raised bed
by laying out a couple of courses of cinder blocks and filling in the middle.
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com
================================
"Beckenbach, Jay" wrote:
Or what I did on my "vacation"
I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked, and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up. So wrong!
First, they were removed Monday morning and just piled back behind a utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the local bonsai
group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been planted over twenty
years ago and some of them much too deep so the visible portion of the plants were
really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.
I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered with a wet
sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones with leaves looked
happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where they are acceptable (some
were not planted as low as others and two never had their original roots spread when
initially planted so the original roots didn't grow much). The 6 have been
re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix of vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for
those on the old side of the pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and
are keeping the roots wet with the sheet.
Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay
Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Never collected large Satsuki myself, you lucky *********! I doubt they
are going to be much different to many other broadleaved shrubs other
than in their need for an acidic mix.

I have lifted smaller Satsuki that have been grown on in the garden for
a few years but I did this at the right time, spring.

That said, a rescue of something like this is too good to pass up and I
would recommend shade, regular misting and protection from wind. If you
are likely to be getting frosts anytime soon then some protection from
that would be helpful too. Avoid keeping the roots too wet. Water them
just the once and then let them get a little on the dry side so the
roots are hopefully prompted into going looking for water.

Most of all, good luck!

Cheers

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Beckenbach, Jay
Sent: 24 September 2003 18:53
To:
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed

Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups
as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up.
So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a
utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the
local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the
visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the
tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered
with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones
with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two
never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original
roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix
of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the
roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch
entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -

************************************************** **********************
********
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** **********************
********
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

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+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Kev, thanks for the note. Thought about the misting. Can do if you think
it'll help. Set up a short duration misting operation to carry my plants
over a two week vacation (with neighbor backup). Worked like a charm.
Shade isn't a problem as my yard is covered with specimen oaks, definite
high shade but very little direct sun. I'm in north-central Florida so I
expect a few more months before frost and then I have a hoop house which I
set up this summer in preparation for this winter. Who would have guessed
that the first thing I'd need it for is a salvage operation. Good stuff.
Some of the trunks seem over 2" (5cm for you) between the two root systems.
That's why I hope to put most of them on their original roots, to get that
lovely trunk. I hope the moss peat covers the acid point, yes? The
vermiculite seems a bit fine but I felt I needed it to get in between the
roots after the original dirt (probably the original potting soil) out.
When I soaked the ones I potted up today, it seemed to drain slowly. Is
this possibly caused by the dry conditions of the vermiculite and moss peat?
As to how large, I hope to be in the 12"+ range (30 cm). Might get to 18"
(50 cm). Lovely flower, double red self with dark red blotch. Do you know
the variety? After 20 years, no one around here can be sure what was
planted so I'll have to go with an identification.

Thanks again for the help and have fun - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -


-----Original Message-----
From: kevin bailey ]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 2:57 PM
To: 'Beckenbach, Jay';
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Never collected large Satsuki myself, you lucky *********! I doubt they
are going to be much different to many other broadleaved shrubs other
than in their need for an acidic mix.

I have lifted smaller Satsuki that have been grown on in the garden for
a few years but I did this at the right time, spring.

That said, a rescue of something like this is too good to pass up and I
would recommend shade, regular misting and protection from wind. If you
are likely to be getting frosts anytime soon then some protection from
that would be helpful too. Avoid keeping the roots too wet. Water them
just the once and then let them get a little on the dry side so the
roots are hopefully prompted into going looking for water.

Most of all, good luck!

Cheers

Kev Bailey
Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of Beckenbach, Jay
Sent: 24 September 2003 18:53
To:
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed

Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups
as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up.
So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a
utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the
local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the
visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the
tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered
with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones
with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two
never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original
roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix
of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the
roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch
entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -

************************************************** **********************
********
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** **********************
********
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++

---
Incoming mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.520 / Virus Database: 318 - Release Date: 18/09/2003


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.520 / Virus Database: 318 - Release Date: 18/09/2003

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the
survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch
entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason.
TIA - jay

Put them in the ground. Mulch heavily with OAK leaves (MUCH
better than pine straw), if possible. Leave them alone for a
couple of years, except for watering and judicious pruning.

Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - The phrase
'sustainable growth' is an oxymoron. - Stephen Viederman

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Since you have so many plants, you could build a raised bed for them (
bordered with 2 x 10 boards). Fill the bed with a mix of peat and perlite,
plant them about the same level they were at in the park. Good luck!
Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beckenbach, Jay"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 1:52 PM
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups
as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up.
So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the
local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the
visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the
tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered
with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original
roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the
roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

Marty, thanks for the idea. These plants don't need additional ground
growing but the raised bed and perlite idea isn't really ground growing. I
have a hoop house I've just put up for next winter so it might go into that.
This needs thought. If I go this way, when would the plants come out of the
bed, next spring or in '05? These plants are strong now. Would two
transplanting so close together help or harm? With the double roots and
nice trunk between on many plants, would they be better put back on their
original roots now or when the come out of the bed? Nice idea, thanks - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -


-----Original Message-----
From: Martin ]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6:35 PM
To: Beckenbach, Jay;
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Since you have so many plants, you could build a raised bed for them (
bordered with 2 x 10 boards). Fill the bed with a mix of peat and perlite,
plant them about the same level they were at in the park. Good luck!
Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beckenbach, Jay"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 1:52 PM
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups
as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up.
So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the
local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the
visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the
tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered
with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original
roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the
roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Lisa Kanis++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

In reply to your 2 questions: Yes, it would be better to plant them in the
raised bed, mulch them after the first hard frost, and leave them there
until the spring night temp. remains above 40F consistently. Placing them in
a poly house is not advisable because there would not be a consistent
dormancy. If left in the raised bed it will be safe to pot and prune them in
the spring.. As to 2 transplants fairly close together, I think a 4 month
interlude should be OK, provided they go thru a normal dormancy.
Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beckenbach, Jay"
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 8:27 AM
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Marty, thanks for the idea. These plants don't need additional ground
growing but the raised bed and perlite idea isn't really ground growing.
I
have a hoop house I've just put up for next winter so it might go into
that.
This needs thought. If I go this way, when would the plants come out of
the
bed, next spring or in '05? These plants are strong now. Would two
transplanting so close together help or harm? With the double roots and
nice trunk between on many plants, would they be better put back on their
original roots now or when the come out of the bed? Nice idea, thanks -
jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -


-----Original Message-----
From: Martin ]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6:35 PM
To: Beckenbach, Jay;
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Since you have so many plants, you could build a raised bed for them (
bordered with 2 x 10 boards). Fill the bed with a mix of peat and
perlite,
plant them about the same level they were at in the park. Good luck!
Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Beckenbach, Jay"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 1:52 PM
Subject: [IBC] Satsuki Help Needed


Or what I did on my "vacation"

I took yesterday afternoon and this morning off because the Grounds
Department told me they were removing some satsuki yesterday. I had
previously looked and they seemed to be planted in fairly uniform groups
as
a decorative mass plantings. So I brought my hand tools and showed up.
So
wrong!

First, they were removed Monday morning a just piled back behind a
utility
shed. Next, no one told the crew doing the work that someone from the
local
bonsai group was going to be coming by. Finally, the plants had been
planted over twenty years ago and some of them much too deep so the
visible
portion of the plants were really branches of bigger plants. Naturally,
they ground layered at that point giving many plants two root systems.

I took 22 plants home with me last night after drastically pruning the
tops.
Boy are my hands sore. I've washed out the roots and have them covered
with
a wet sheet in the shade near my potting shed. This morning the ones
with
leaves looked happier so I've potted up 6 using the original roots where
they are acceptable (some were not planted as low as others and two
never
had their original roots spread when initially planted so the original
roots
didn't grow much). The 6 have been re-washed and put into a 50/50 mix
of
vermiculite and peat moss (or moss peat for those on the old side of the
pond). I plan to do the rest as soon as possible and are keeping the
roots
wet with the sheet.

Here's the question, what can I do to increase the survival rate? All
suggestions gratefully accepted. I get the digest for lunch
entertainment
so if I do not respond immediately, that may be the reason. TIA - jay

Jay Beckenbach - Melrose, FL - Zone 8b/9a -



************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Dale Cochoy++++


************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/
--
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail
+++++


************************************************** **************************
****
++++Sponsored, in part, by Lisa Kanis++++

************************************************** **************************
****
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by Lisa Kanis++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++