Collected Bald Cypress

[markyscott]

Fun and rewarding work. Here's the process.

After collecting, I use packing stretch wrap to protect and hold together the rootball. With bald cypress, you can just leave the wrap on and set the rootball in water until you're ready to repot.



Cut the plastic off with a sharp knife to expose the rootball.



This is a cool tree - it has some movement and taper. Tough to find on bald cypress.

Scott

 

[markyscott]

With a single root hook slowly work the field soil from the tree. Draw the hook radially from the tree. Work from the outside of the root ball inwards. When most of the field soil is cleared away, the rest can be cleaned with a gentle stream of water from the hose. Be gentle on the fine feeder roots - you want these to come through the process with as little damage as possible. Protect the bark.

Here's rootball with the field soil removed. It's a dirty job. You can see the field cut on the tap root.





Scott

 

[markyscott]

No time like the present - cut what remains of the tap root flush with the bottom of the trunk.




Scott

 

[markyscott]

Then carve that stub flush with the root base. You want it flat and even with the root base.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Now let's work on the roots - big roots get cut back hard to finer lateral roots. If it's smaller than a pencil, just cut back hard. Fine roots just leave alone.



Done for now.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Now let's prep the grow box. First let's add a few drain holes.



That looks like enough.



Cover them with drywall tape.



With drain holes, you need feet, so let's add some of those.



Grow box is almost ready.




Scott

 

[markyscott]

Now let drill four holes for the wire. Test fit the tree first you want to position the holes between the larger roots so you can secure the tree. Cut two lengths of wire and feed the through the holes. I used 2.5 mm wire for this tree.



Grow box is ready.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Next the drainage layer and some soil.


Place the tree in the box. Push down firmly and rotate the tree back and forth to work the soil into the roots. Not too much effort on a tree like this where there are hardly any roots left. Then wire the tree to the box. Use the big roots to secure the tree.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Add more soil and work it into the roots.



Then water it in.



Scott

 

[markyscott]

Done for now. Next I've got to do some pruning up top but I'll do that next week. For now I'll just enjoy what I hope will be a good bald cypress bonsai one day.



Scott

 

[fredman]

Fantastic Very well laid out. Thanks for the effort. Very much appreciated.
This has the makings of a unusual baldy with that movement. Looking forward to updates on it...!

 

[mcpesq817]

Really nice movement on that one. That should work out nicely.

In your first post, is that a live oak in the back right? Another nice tree!

 

[markyscott]

Really nice movement on that one. That should work out nicely.

In your first post, is that a live oak in the back right? Another nice tree!

Thanks - bald cypress with movement are a little hard to find. They usually grow sick straight.

The tree in the background is a live oak. Collected from near the Pearl River and grown in the ground for a few years. Dug up three years ago and beginning its journey. Lots of grafting in store for it this year. I'll post more on it at some point.

Scott

 

[mcpesq817]

Great movement on your live oak too - very nice tree! Rockm has a great one that was collected in Texas many years ago in case you have questions and want to compare notes.

 

[markyscott]

Great movement on your live oak too - very nice tree! Rockm has a great one that was collected in Texas many years ago in case you have questions and want to compare notes.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, I've seen his southern live oak thread and have followed it with interest. Outside of California, oaks are underutilized as bonsai. I've seen few southern live oak, for example, in exhibition or in private collection. But they are such a striking tree in nature and adapt so well to bonsai culture, that it would be a shame to not try at least one.

Scott

 

[Borg]

Very cool. I love the step-by-step.
I plan on getting my hands on one or more bald cypress in the near future when I visit my grandfather in Louisiana... He has also offered me a couple live oaks that he started as seeds 5-6 years ago. Hopefully I get to get down there soon for another visit.

 

[markyscott]

Very cool. I love the step-by-step.
I plan on getting my hands on one or more bald cypress in the near future when I visit my grandfather in Louisiana... He has also offered me a couple live oaks that he started as seeds 5-6 years ago. Hopefully I get to get down there soon for another visit.

Thanks. I have several - mostly collected. Very satisfying trees to grow. Keep us posted on your progress!

Scott

 

[Borg]

Thanks. I have several - mostly collected. Very satisfying trees to grow. Keep us posted on your progress!

Scott

Will do. Currently I am starting a collection. I have a few trees that might be worth working on in 5 years, as they are all newl collected. I'm trying out with some natives that grow around my house ( red maple, black cherry, dogwood), and I will be getting some nursery stock to play around with as well.... I just need to find a place to get the correct ingredients to make good soil... All I can seem to find around here is regular topsoil...

 

[Anthony]

Mark,

that was very educational, and hopefully, you will show in leaf.
Great boxes, very tidy/efficient !!!

Any advice on cuttings or airlayers for the swamp cypress?
We have a neglected one here and it's time to produce some young ones.
Strangely enough, this one from Louisiana, does not need winter.
It is self dormant and gives no problems, just neglected for years.
Thanks for any help.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[LanceMac10]

Nice sequence, thanks for sharing. Especially like the, "camera in one hand, chopsticks in the other" shot!
Good luck and good growing!