Bald cypress… ok to submerge again?..

[rdb00]

I have been reading a few threads on here that suggests not flooding BC confined to pots, which makes sense.

Mine was flooded in a pot with pretty stagnant water. Got it on sale at rural king for like $20 and submerged it since day one after slip potting.

The soil I have it in now is like almost all pine bark because a lot of the other components I had in there got washed out over time and I haven’t gotten around to topping it off given it has been submerged. Other than a bad case of mites which I just treated. Tree seems to be doing alright… looks like some possible new roots emerging from the original ball?

Any of the more seasoned folk on here think I need to Do-over on soil and not submerge? Any insight would be great.

@BillsBayou I read your post here (https://forum.bonsaimirai.com/t/new-bald-cypress-nursery-stock-advice-needed/3746) and thought the restaurant bus tubs was a great idea! The rootball on this BC was pretty big a tangled up so I didnt bother trying to reduce when I got it and figured I would wait until I did a more permanent repot... thoughts on cleaning rootball up and potting as you suggested on the mirai forum? I'm in zone 7a,. temps in 90's daily and humid right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Shibui]

Definitely top up the lost soil. That should help the surface roots grow. After all, its the surface roots you want to encourage for bonsai.
Not sure how deep your 'submerged' or 'flooded' is but, given the soil has washed away I'm guessing water above soil level?
I know Bald Cypress can cope with completely flooded for long periods but the roots do still need some oxygen occasionally. I think water up to around 1/2 pot depth is probably safer with occasional lower (think dry season) and occasional higher (flood) if you feel inclined.
They certainly don't need to be completely submerged all the time and will grow well in just shallow water tray full time. Mine are only in the shallow tray (around 2" deep) through summer. In winter, rainfall and occasional watering is enough.
It is possible the mite problem could be related to stress of keeping the roots completely submerged for too long? Mites are definitely worse where trees are not completely healthy.

Definitely repot and sort out the roots as soon as you are able. Roots that were circling the previous pot are still there and are still circling. They will not straighten out but will get thicker, making it more difficult and frightening to do the eventual root reduction.

 

[rdb00]

Definitely top up the lost soil. That should help the surface roots grow. After all, its the surface roots you want to encourage for bonsai.
Not sure how deep your 'submerged' or 'flooded' is but, given the soil has washed away I'm guessing water above soil level?
I know Bald Cypress can cope with completely flooded for long periods but the roots do still need some oxygen occasionally. I think water up to around 1/2 pot depth is probably safer with occasional lower (think dry season) and occasional higher (flood) if you feel inclined.
They certainly don't need to be completely submerged all the time and will grow well in just shallow water tray full time. Mine are only in the shallow tray (around 2" deep) through summer. In winter, rainfall and occasional watering is enough.
It is possible the mite problem could be related to stress of keeping the roots completely submerged for too long? Mites are definitely worse where trees are not completely healthy.

Definitely repot and sort out the roots as soon as you are able. Roots that were circling the previous pot are still there and are still circling. They will not straighten out but will get thicker, making it more difficult and frightening to do the eventual root reduction.

Thank you so much for all your insight! Do you think it is safe for me to perform root work right now? Where I am located we have been seeing low 90’s with full sun most days. Zone 7a.

 

[Shibui]

I would not be root pruning trees in Summer. By 'as soon as you are able' I meant at your next normal potting time which will probably be next Spring. I intended to add that in the post but got distracted. Apologies for not being more clear.

 

[Cadillactaste]

My BC is submerged as soon as warm weather is upon me. If comes out in late fall and while it's dormant in my controlled cold greenhouse.

The only time I've seen ones lose these are lack of water... for the most part.

Repot when it begins to wake from dormancy. But before buds turn to brush.

 

[rdb00]

I would not be root pruning trees in Summer. By 'as soon as you are able' I meant at your next normal potting time which will probably be next Spring. I intended to add that in the post but got distracted. Apologies for not being more clear.

All good, I figured that’s probably what you meant!

 

[rdb00]

My BC is submerged as soon as warm weather is upon me. If comes out in late fall and while it's dormant in my controlled cold greenhouse.

The only time I've seen ones lose these are lack of water... for the most part.

Repot when it begins to wake from dormancy. But before buds turn to brush.

Thank you for sharing your insight!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thank you for sharing your insight!

Welcome... I imagine those who don't submerge may have a nice watering system. That keeps theirs hydrated. I water by hand. Mine is so in a tray of water... for peace of mind.

 

[rdb00]

Welcome... I imagine those who don't submerge may have a nice watering system. That keeps theirs hydrated. I water by hand. Mine is so in a tray of water... for peace of mind.

Yeah, where I am located it gets very hot this time of year and the trees dry out quickly even in organic substrate.

I think the tree is loose in my case because I didn’t match the nursery soil well enough when I slip potted