5 Year Native Tree/Native Pot - Ribes Considerations.. (HorseloverFat)

[HorseloverFat]

5 Year Native Tree Native Pot -Ribes CONSIDERATIONS. (HorseloverFat)

As I pondered this WONDERFULLY immersive and though-provoking challenge... I KNEW eventually that I would “set my sights” on a black currant “goal”

For the most part, naturally occurring specimens are fairly uninteresting... but that “one in 5 thousand”.... is a dark, ancient, gnarled beast... so I collected these guys from sand and rock.... just as their foliage is “waving goodbye” for CONSIDERATION...

spring will REALLY “tell”

 

[HorseloverFat]

I figured this was worth documenting, as well.

On the left, an average-sized leaf ftom the black currants I just collected.

On the right, an average-sized leaf from a black currant that was (accidentally) defoliated during “high summer”.


(also notable health snd maturity differences, I am aware)

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Looks workable.
They do make nice small bonsai. (or sometimes they are used as kusamono).

which of the many native currants or gooseberries do you have? Do you know? Ribes hudsonianum is the one that is in your area that is called black currant. But other native currants that could occur in you area include:

Ribes aureum? the clove currant? - this currant has black colored fruit. Could easily be called "black currant".
Ribes glandulosum?
Ribes hudsonianum - the northern black currant
Ribes lacustre - black gooseberry
Ribes triste - red currant - has circumpolar distribution that extends south from artic circle to Great Lakes.

I did not include the gooseberries, there are several native to Wisconsin. They are all in the genus Ribes.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Looks workable.
They do make nice small bonsai. (or sometimes they are used as kusamono).

which of the many native currants or gooseberries do you have? Do you know? Ribes hudsonianum is the one that is in your area that is called black currant. But other native currants that could occur in you area include:

Ribes aureum? the clove currant? - this currant has black colored fruit. Could easily be called "black currant".
Ribes glandulosum?
Ribes hudsonianum - the northern black currant
Ribes lacustre - black gooseberry
Ribes triste - red currant - has circumpolar distribution that extends south from artic circle to Great Lakes.

I did not include the gooseberries, there are several native to Wisconsin. They are all in the genus Ribes.

I am not sure! i will look into that and “get back to you”

 

[HorseloverFat]

Upon further examination it appears that THESE two specimens are americanum.. while my OTHER plant is grandulosa or skunk currant (a gooseberry, i think).. but I still may be incorrect.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Could be. Actually, as long as it is not one of the European species, it really doesn't matter which one. I've got the European growing on the farm.

 

[Bu-Jetjet]

5 Year Native Tree Native Pot -Ribes CONSIDERATIONS. (HorseloverFat)

As I pondered this WONDERFULLY immersive and though-provoking challenge... I KNEW eventually that I would “set my sights” on a black currant “goal”

For the most part, naturally occurring specimens are fairly uninteresting... but that “one in 5 thousand”.... is a dark, ancient, gnarled beast... so I collected these guys from sand and rock.... just as their foliage is “waving goodbye” for CONSIDERATION...

spring will REALLY “tell”


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I like where you're going with this! Those flares are great foundation.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Thank you!

I went a little crazy with my Last autumn collection “considerations” for this contest.. i’ve got a bunch IN.. and a looming decision to make.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Cut back to visible swelling buds...

Being careful.. not sure exactly how well they back-bud.

 

[Esolin]

Nice starts! The first one's round fat trunk reminds me a little of a turtle. I Iike it!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Nice starts! The first one's round fat trunk reminds me a little of a turtle. I Iike it!

Thank you!!

 

[HorseloverFat]

So, as Leo had suggested.. the majority of my “Ribes” DID turn out to be “Gooseberry species”.. I am FASCINATED with learning to “train” them.. they aren’t straight-forward, with their habits, AT ALL...

I have been practicing a few strange techniques with the “duct-tape” pot specimen.. leaving the other “normal” as a “control” for internodes and foliage..

Control..
Guinea pig (back)
Front.. hard to see the movement with the leaves PRE-reduction.. there IS a pic of the reduced gooseberry higher up in this thread.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Already yielding results... Left: Control (1st set) Right: Special conditions/treatment (1st set)

“Training” is strange... very herbaceous and slightly tubular () at first.. hardening QUITE... well.. hard.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Loosely set the lowest branch on one of the gooseberries.

And inspired by varying defoliation experiments on the “control” chutes..
.

I performed some partial defoliation on portions of the gooseberry in the smaller pot.. hoping to keep that tender inner growth alive.
Different in response than I’ve experienced..

I really like these. I feel like it’s worth my time to “figure out” some of these native berries.

 

[Esolin]

Ah, the turtle's grown a new head! Looking good!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Ah, the turtle's grown a new head! Looking good!

Hehe! Thank you!

I’m actually “learning” a few of the more esoteric native/endemic berries and their “different” growth habits..

Probably start a new thread..

Call it “So ‘Berry’ Interesting”..,

Or SOMETHIN’ like that.

 

[HorseloverFat]

I’m beginning to “understand“ the gooseberry.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Some progression on one..
And today... I’m pretty pleased with the training results.

 

[HorseloverFat]

Other one..

today...

 

[HorseloverFat]

It was, what I think, time for final “selection” and an inner defoliation for these trees... I am enjoying learning a new “approach”
Number 1
Number 2... the inner defoliation on this one is quite light.