Curly Willow 2.5 year progression from hard chop to detail wiring

[Mikecheck123]

Also, I don't quite understand what factors control leaf drop. Exactly one year ago in zone 10, it was totally leafless.

But today in zone 7, after several actual frosts, it's still holding on to basically all of them.

 

[rhuarc]

How's it doing now?
This is very inspiring! I've got 7 or 8 different types of willow cuttings 1-2" thick. I'm definitely going to mimic what you did with some of mine.

 

[Mikecheck123]

How's it doing now?
This is very inspiring! I've got 7 or 8 different types of willow cuttings 1-2" thick. I'm definitely going to mimic what you did with some of mine.

It's doing great and leafing out now. The best thing is that there was ZERO dieback this winter, very unlike the previous winter when I pruned during dormancy and lost 15-20% of the branches (as shown in an earlier post).

I thought there might be at least some dieback this winter due to the much colder temps, but zone 7 appears to be no problem at all for them.

 

[Sweetyness]

Wow, a lot of work but a very impressive tree. I cringed at the severe cutback to move as I have a hard time cutting back the beautifully shaped branches. But since yours is so full the branches are mostly hidden.
I have a 10’ tall curly leaf Willow in a tree box and thinking about maybe taking a cutting to root. Not sure if any branches are thick enough yet.
The most impressive thing to me is how small you were able to get your leaves! Originally the leaves are long and curly, but before you moved they were tiny. Did this happen because of all the trimming? I see the new growth in the new location the leave became somewhat larger again, but when you start trimming assume they will reduce. Very cool tree!!

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Im not a big fan of Willows in bonsai they can be a pain in the butt in many ways, but that tree is very nice I would like also a spring photo update!!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Not sure if any branches are thick enough yet.

Any size will root. The only time cuttings fail is if it's too cold out.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Wow, I never noticed that before but you're totally right. Those stems all grew that way in the direction of the afternoon sun.

Sun swept style.

 

[Sweetyness]

Any size will root. The only time cuttings fail is if it's too cold out.

Thank you! I was thinking thickness in worth cutting. Probably better to find a rooted tree at the nursery.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Onward. Major cut back today. I sawed off three more major branches for a cleaner look.

Before:



After:

 

[Mikecheck123]

When the new shoots are long again in July, I'll wire everything, repot into a bonsai pot, and defoliate. About August 1 it'll be time for another portrait.

Edit to add: any beginners out there, do not attempt this schedule with any other species!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Time for some root work. I decided against a bonsai pot for this season. Too risky with winter so close. Just gonna try to improve the nebari situation and make the root mass flatter.

It's a bush!

 

[Mikecheck123]

Roots porn!! If anyone wants to claim that willows grow roots better in something that isn't traditional free-draining bonsai soil, I don't believe you.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Raked out.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Trimmed up. Next steps are full defoliation and wiring. Then a picture.

 

[AlainK]

Nice job !
I have one from a 4 mm cutting, but I've never done anything with it, except making other cuttings fro friends.
I think mine is a slightly different variety, the young branches are reddish turning to yellow. It's in a tray, with a big Metasequoia and two Taxodium, where I keep some water in summer and it's been so neglected that the roots coming from the hole in the pot are pushing it aside, it's tilting about 2.5 cm (1 inch). A lot of branches dying too. Your experience makes me feel I should try to "revive" it...

 

[Mikecheck123]

Nice job !
I have one from a 4 mm cutting, but I've never done anything with it, except making other cuttings fro friends.
I think mine is a slightly different variety, the young branches are reddish turning to yellow. It's in a tray, with a big Metasequoia and two Taxodium, where I keep some water in summer and it's been so neglected that the roots coming from the hole in the pot are pushing it aside, it's tilting about 2.5 cm (1 inch). A lot of branches dying too. Your experience makes me feel I should try to "revive" it...

View attachment 449045 View attachment 449046

Yes, the leaves look similar, but the branches look very different--emerging a sort of yellow rather than green.

 

[_#1_]

Roots are looking really good!

Maybe it's the 2D effect but tree seems to be getting more top heavy? Is it really inverse taper?

 

[Mikecheck123]

Roots are looking really good!

Maybe it's the 2D effect but tree seems to be getting more top heavy? Is it really inverse taper?

Yea the primary branches continue to thicken quickly, so it's a bit of a jumble at the top. I was thinking of cutting something off, at the expense of throwing away a year of development on that part.

 

[_#1_]

Yea the primary branches continue to thicken quickly, so it's a bit of a jumble at the top. I was thinking of cutting something off, at the expense of throwing away a year of development on that part.

They grow so fast thought lol. What's a year in the long game?

Speaking of, how do these heal? From my brief encounter with Salix Discolor, wood rots a bit in one season. But wounds rolled over pretty fast too. Wonder if Salix Babylonica is similar/

 

[Mikecheck123]

They grow so fast thought lol. What's a year in the long game?

Speaking of, how do these heal? From my brief encounter with Salix Discolor, wood rots a bit in one season. But wounds rolled over pretty fast too. Wonder if Salix Babylonica is similar/

Every willow species is garbage for bonsai except this one. IMHO.