Grow Beds 2020

[JoeR]

This ugly one has grown explosively.. late spring I wired the right branch for a future design but the tree said otherwise. Any input on this one would be appreciated. Thinking about chopping the main trunk now so that the leader i wired can take over and fix the differences in girth.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Good plan

 

[JoeR]

This was a group/forest zelkova planting that I put in the grow beds this last spring to thicken up. Well, sure didnt realise how fast zelkova grew left to their own devices. In hindsight, I should have stayed on top of them.

No plan for this yet, maybe a clump. Largest trunk is over 3" id estimate.

 

[JoeR]

Ume all grew strongly this year. All of them sent huge roots out too so now I know they have to be lifted yearly to prevent this.

However, I did manage to retain some fine branching at the base of the trunk, so come spring when I dig this one out it will be ready for quick development.

 

[Pitoon]

I like that! When you plan to pull some up for root training?

 

[JoeR]

I like that! When you plan to pull some up for root training?

Probably right before bud break, somewhere around March here usually. Going to space the trees that im re-planting in the beds out more as well

 

[Pitoon]

Probably right before bud break, somewhere around March here usually. Going to space the trees that im re-planting in the beds out more as well

Sounds good. I have several plants to put in the ground here myself.

 

[JoeR]

Sounds good. I have several plants to put in the ground here myself.

Make sure to use a board, tile, washer, anything to keep the roots flat. I really am kicking myself over the other ume, they all formed huge tap roots and ruined the nebari.

 

[MrWunderful]

Looks like some great stuff in there.

I am going to try root bags in the bed this year, to not let the roots run as far (also for space as my home growing bed is on the small side)

 

[JoeR]

Looks like some great stuff in there.

I am going to try root bags in the bed this year, to not let the roots run as far (also for space as my home growing bed is on the small side)

Solid plan, are you talking about those felt growing bags? I think its best to grow the trees in pots or colanders for a year or two before planting, the bags should be just as good. Can roots grow through them?

 

[MrWunderful]

Solid plan, are you talking about those felt growing bags? I think its best to grow the trees in pots or colanders for a year or two before planting, the bags should be just as good. Can roots grow through them?

Yes.

And My plan is to let seedlings run one year, ground layer/tourniquet 2nd year to start nebari, then go in grow bags for another 2-3 years before putting in a pot (working the roots yearly based on vigor)

And I dont think they can grow through - I will let you know in a year how they turn out!

 

[leatherback]

I really am kicking myself over the other ume, they all formed huge tap roots and ruined the nebari.

If they grow that fast, would you not be able to fix this reasonably fast too?

 

[clem]

This was a group/forest zelkova planting that I put in the grow beds this last spring to thicken up. Well, sure didnt realise how fast zelkova grew left to their own devices. In hindsight, I should have stayed on top of them.

No plan for this yet, maybe a clump. Largest trunk is over 3" id estimate.

maybe cut the trunks (straight with no tapper) at the ground level and make a "korabuki" ? ("turtle back"). Maybe you have a promising base & nebari... i don't see what else you can do than cut those trunks because they lack of tapper & movement.

hope gives life ->

 

[JoeR]

If they grow that fast, would you not be able to fix this reasonably fast too?

I'm not sure until I actually get in there and dig them up. I'll post a picture of how bad one of them got so you can see

 

[leatherback]

I'll post a picture of how bad one of them got so you can see

great!

I do like the fused turtle-back clum thing suggested before.

 

[JoeR]

maybe cut the trunks (straight with no tapper) at the ground level and make a "korabuki" ? ("turtle back"). Maybe you have a promising base & nebari... i don't see what else you can do than cut those trunks because they lack of tapper & movement.
View attachment 347812
hope gives life ->
View attachment 347813

Thanks for the idea Clem. It is indeed a difficult piece of material, but I think this is a promising option assuming the bases have fused, correct? I'm not sure what the roots on these look like, cant remember if they were on a tile or not. I'll dig around some and see

 

[clem]

Thanks for the idea Clem. It is indeed a difficult piece of material, but I think this is a promising option assuming the bases have fused, correct? I'm not sure what the roots on these look like, cant remember if they were on a tile or not. I'll dig around some and see

i don't know if the trunks bases have fused together, but the roots are probably already intertwined. I think the sooner you cut those big trunks, the better because if you do nothing they will continue to thicken and the future scars will be bigger & bigger with time.. you have nothing to loose trying, imho

 

[JoeR]

great!

I do like the fused turtle-back clum thing suggested before.

Not that this one has any potential as-is, but damn that root...

 

[JoeR]

i don't know if the trunks bases have fused together, but the roots are probably already intertwined. I think the sooner you cut those big trunks, the better because if you do nothing they will continue to thicken and the future scars will be bigger & bigger with time.. you have nothing to loose trying, imho

I couldn't dig far enough to see if they have fused, as there are fine feeder roots right below the soil that are intertwined.

 

[JoeR]

Another weird tree i threw in the beds last year- toyo nishiki quince. Has a nice big trunk now, for a quince anyway, but I don't have any plans for a future design. It leans away from the viewer in these snaps