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Newly acquired larch questions
http://www.weetrees.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13825		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  BrendanJ [ 28 Jul 2015, 16:27 ]
Post subject:  Newly acquired larch questions
Hi all

Just picked up a new larch, but some points puzzling me, any advice please

I like this tree and was particularly attracted to the cones, but on reading found out they sap the energy so have already removed over half of them
This set me thinking
The growth is very sparse and not pushing out at all, is this the age of the tree, ie mature or is it weak in need of care? It's clearly not trying to produce more branches
Also the soil is very water retentive, but the tree is otherwise ok it seems. Should it be repotted in spring
The owner was very experienced bonsai-er but I forgot to ask
Any advice on next steps health wise and whilst your at it, any styling ideas welcome

I suppose the answer will be leave it for a season :132doh:
Image
Author:  Paul B [Swindon] [ 28 Jul 2015, 16:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
I would remove all the cones, keep it in the soil, remove all the other grass in the pot and give it a light feed. The soil looks fine for now.

Re pot next early spring and don't pot it as high as it is at the moment. Don't cut anything off it until it recovers from the re pot.

It will need time to build up its strength again.

When you re pot try it at other angles, you may find a better position which you like
Author:  BrendanJ [ 28 Jul 2015, 17:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
Hi Paul
Thanks for your advice.
The trouble is I really like the cones, and I am thinking they have now already largely grown so any damage already done, I hope
Now if they will kill the tree that's different but if not I'd like to keep them
Far as the wet soil, with the current rain I have put it under cover for now to better control the watering
Will have to take care this winter me thinks
Author:  keithmart [ 28 Jul 2015, 17:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
Hi

How do ripe cones use energy?


As I understand it:
While cones are developing they certainly will absorb energy from the tree, but once ripe they are dormant.

This can be proved by removing the cones, where they will react to weather and distribute their seeds without the help of the energy of the tree.

The same goes for pine cones.
Author:  Paul B [Swindon] [ 28 Jul 2015, 18:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
I am no cone expert, :132doh: ...... but would think that they will still take something from the tree until it has discarded the seeds that are being formed in the cones at the moment. They all look tightly shut and no where near fully formed.

It's the risk that we all take by leaving them, my tree is in good health and I leave a few for showing only, and the tree can cope with this.

This tree has been stressed due to the lack of good growth and I wouldn't want to take the risk of leaving any at the moment. Built the growth first then enjoy the cones ..............maybe???
Author:  paulpash [ 29 Jul 2015, 09:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
The cones still have a green hue by the photo so IMO they could still be maturing. Is it better to forego the cones now and enjoy them later when it's healthy or keep them on and risk the health of the tree?

I'd be quite concerned at the lack of extension growth - something is wrong if this is all the growth it has made over the year. I'd apply a vine weevil drench and keep it on the dry side if you can't easily visually inspect the roots.
Author:  BrendanJ [ 29 Jul 2015, 10:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
Hi Paul
You seem to have summed it up quite well. As mentioned I have reduced the cones by half already. I now have it undercover because of the endless drenching rain we are getting, so I can control the watering. I will also treat it with Provado and see if I can delicately inspect the roots a little. I will also try some free draining grit around the sides of the pot if possible and then I think its just wait and see and let nature take its course.
My feeling in this case is the pines are not the root cause of the issue but maybe a symptom of the problem of underlying weakness, so as you I am guessing look to the roots. Depending on what I find I may dispense with the cones or not
Hi, Ho, another Bonsai challenge :think:
Author:  JotaBe! [ 29 Jul 2015, 13:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
I think this Larch is OK, it's not the strongest tree I have ever seen, I belive that it hasn't enough ramification to see it dense.
The larches have two different shoots: ones which grow and other that simply have needles, isn't it?
I'd control the watering and I'd put somewhere with sun.
About the cones, I'd discarded some of them but it doesn't matter because I see it well.
Nice tree BrendanJm I like it!
Author:  BrendanJ [ 29 Jul 2015, 15:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
Jotabe

I think you are on to something. I think the phrase is Dimorthic. 2 types of growth, typical long growth with multiple buds which become new branches and short growth that just remains as a kind of flower or becomes a cone.
Can someone confirm? This would explain what I am seeing and have seen smaller example on another larch. Question Will it resume normal growth in future or just remain as is, in which case I can forget about developing the tree further it seems.
Author:  Gary Jones [ 29 Jul 2015, 16:11 ]
Post subject:  Re: Newly acquired larch questions
I'm no expert but Wikipedia says

Quote:
Although a conifer, the larch is a deciduous tree and loses its leaves in the autumn. The shoots are dimorphic, with growth divided into long shoots typically 10–50 centimetres long[citation needed] and bearing several buds, and short shoots only 1–2 mm long with only a single bud. The leaves are needle-like, 2–5 centimetres long, slender (under 1 cm wide). They are borne singly, spirally arranged on the long shoots, and in dense clusters of 20–50 needles on the short shoots. The needles turn yellow and fall in the late autumn, leaving the trees leafless through the winter.


As you say if this is going on what is the environmental cause behind it? Perhaps it's a self defence mechanism in the tree in response to a stressful event causing all the shoots to be the short variety.
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