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[IBC] Larch in Maine
I have been growing American Larch here in Maine for several years and
have been experimenting with pruning and wiring techniques, different soil mixtures, watering and fertilizing, winter care and light exposure and even the timing of repotting. I have fifteen groups of trees each with about five trees. I do see differences in some of the groups from year to year because of the different treatment they receive. Pruning and pinching; I do most of my pinching from early June until the end of the month. I find when I pinch past the middle of July I will often have to tender new growth early in the fall and I end up with a lot of dieback the next spring.I do most of the structural pruning throughthe winter months except on trees I plan on repotting that spring, I find it's a bit hard on the tree to cut from both ends to much all in the same year. Wiring; I do most of my wiring from mid fall (just after needle drop, late October here) to mid winter. I find that wiring the twigy branches in the fall works for me and the larger branches and trunks a little later into the winter. I have also had good luck wiring larger branches in mid summer. Fertilizing; I try to keep it simple. For the most part I use Schultz 10-15-10 from mid May until early September. Depending on how I have pruned will determine how often and how strongly I apply fertilizer. Also the amount of rain and how often I have to water will make a difference. Soil; I use a fairly organic soil mix. About 60% bark mulch and peat mix and 40% coarse sand but I have used a 90% bark mulch/peat and verylittle coarse sand and have had good results. Repotting; I do most of my repotting in early spring (late April) I have repotted in late fall with good results but be sure to give good protection from severe cold through the winter. I try to repot every two to three years. Watering; For the most part I keep them fairly moist and carefull not to let them dry out. Sun; I grow most of them in full sun most of the year but I find if you put them in a somewhat shady area from late summer into the fall you will get muchbetter collor. Winter care; For trees in nursery containers and oversized bonsai training pots I leave them outside on the ground but protected from the wind somewhat. For trees in shallow bonsai pots I find I have to mulch and cover through the winter. Now, after saying all this the one thing that plays a giant role in all the care we give our trees involves another hobby of mine, the weather. The two go hand in hand and by keeping a close eye on the weather will help you keep your trees in better health. Mike Waterhouse Litchfield, Maine ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Have just been talking wi Nick Lenz about fertilzing Larches because I am
just back from Newfoundland and saw Larches there with very short neeedles. Nick's thought is that the area is nitrogen poor, and he suggests very low nitrogen in Larch fertilization. For what it is worth. THanks Mike, We are trying to grow Larches in Vermont, and your knowledge is very helpful. Rodger -----Original Message----- From: Internet Bonsai Club ]On Behalf Of Mike Waterhouse Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 2:40 AM To: Subject: [IBC] Larch in Maine I have been growing American Larch here in Maine for several years and have been experimenting with pruning and wiring techniques, different soil mixtures, watering and fertilizing, winter care and light exposure and even the timing of repotting. I have fifteen groups of trees each with about five trees. I do see differences in some of the groups from year to year because of the different treatment they receive. Pruning and pinching; I do most of my pinching from early June until the end of the month. I find when I pinch past the middle of July I will often have to tender new growth early in the fall and I end up with a lot of dieback the next spring.I do most of the structural pruning throughthe winter months except on trees I plan on repotting that spring, I find it's a bit hard on the tree to cut from both ends to much all in the same year. Wiring; I do most of my wiring from mid fall (just after needle drop, late October here) to mid winter. I find that wiring the twigy branches in the fall works for me and the larger branches and trunks a little later into the winter. I have also had good luck wiring larger branches in mid summer. Fertilizing; I try to keep it simple. For the most part I use Schultz 10-15-10 from mid May until early September. Depending on how I have pruned will determine how often and how strongly I apply fertilizer. Also the amount of rain and how often I have to water will make a difference. Soil; I use a fairly organic soil mix. About 60% bark mulch and peat mix and 40% coarse sand but I have used a 90% bark mulch/peat and verylittle coarse sand and have had good results. Repotting; I do most of my repotting in early spring (late April) I have repotted in late fall with good results but be sure to give good protection from severe cold through the winter. I try to repot every two to three years. Watering; For the most part I keep them fairly moist and carefull not to let them dry out. Sun; I grow most of them in full sun most of the year but I find if you put them in a somewhat shady area from late summer into the fall you will get muchbetter collor. Winter care; For trees in nursery containers and oversized bonsai training pots I leave them outside on the ground but protected from the wind somewhat. For trees in shallow bonsai pots I find I have to mulch and cover through the winter. Now, after saying all this the one thing that plays a giant role in all the care we give our trees involves another hobby of mine, the weather. The two go hand in hand and by keeping a close eye on the weather will help you keep your trees in better health. Mike Waterhouse Litchfield, Maine ************************************************** ************************** **** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ************************** **** -- 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: 6.0.744 / Virus Database: 496 - Release Date: 8/24/2004 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.744 / Virus Database: 496 - Release Date: 8/24/2004 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Evergreen Gardenworks++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
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