How to grow Nothofagus antarctica experiences thread

[leatherback]

Hi All,

I have now killed 2 specimens of this species. I have last fall acquired a third one. However, I am hard pushed to find long-term experiences working with this species, even though they SEEM to have all you want for bonsai; Small leaves, fast growing, good back-budding. Nice bark, cold-hardy.. But maybe.. They take poorly to bonsai culture, or require different repotting times & practices?

Lets bundle our experiences, even if it is just a once-off.
Personally, I would love to hear positive experiences with airlayering, or even a prooven route to cuttings so I have more trees to experiment with. Using my main tree every time to figure something out leads to a road paved with dead trunks.. .

If you do not know the species: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothofagus_antarctica

 

[Shibui]

We have several related species in Australia - N. gunnii and N. moorei. Both are from cooler, rainforest habitats.
I've tried N. gunnii a few times but they don't survive long under my conditions. I suspect too hot and dry here in summer.
Other Aussie growers seem to be able to manage them as bonsai so it is obviously possible.
New Zealand also has a few related species.

Mentioning these other species as there may be some parallels between N. antarctica and some of the other species in this genus. Will try to track down any info that might be relevant.

 

[Betula1]

Ive been growing a similar looking evergreen Nothofagus spp from a cutting @10 years ago. Not positive about species but possibly N. betuloides. Slow growing compact growth, with fragrant glossy leaves , it seems to root from semi ripe cuttings easily, and has air layered successfully several times. It seems to prefer acidic soil and semi shade.

Hi All,

I have now killed 2 specimens of this species. I have last fall acquired a third one. However, I am hard pushed to find long-term experiences working with this species, even though they SEEM to have all you want for bonsai; Small leaves, fast growing, good back-budding. Nice bark, cold-hardy.. But maybe.. They take poorly to bonsai culture, or require different repotting times & practices?

Lets bundle our experiences, even if it is just a once-off.
Personally, I would love to hear positive experiences with airlayering, or even a prooven route to cuttings so I have more trees to experiment with. Using my main tree every time to figure something out leads to a road paved with dead trunks.. .

If you do not know the species: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothofagus_antarctica

 

[leatherback]

it seems to root from semi ripe cuttings easily

Hm.. Maybe I should just give it a try then?

 

[Shibui]

I've found several references to Nothofagus being relatively easy to grow as cuttings. One (general hort reference) qualified that by saying the species can be susceptible to Myrtle Wilt so recommended against pruning them to obtain cuttings. Not sure how you'd get a bonsai without pruning though.
I would certainly be trying some cuttings.

 

[baron]

Danny has a few big specimen trees in his garden and one of em was about to be removed, so last year we took a bunch of airlayers (around 12).
They went really well and all but 1 took, so after a few months they got put into plastic containers.

I have one of them waiting at home to start styling, but Danny told me to wait untill fall/winter. Will be put in a better pot next spring.

No experience apart from this.

 

[bluone23]

Thanks for this question, I just bought one to see how they grow

 

[leatherback]

Danny has a few big specimen trees in his garden and one of em was about to be removed, so last year we took a bunch of airlayers (around 12).
They went really well and all but 1 took, so after a few months they got put into plastic containers.

I have one of them waiting at home to start styling, but Danny told me to wait untill fall/winter. Will be put in a better pot next spring.

No experience apart from this.

View attachment 607434 View attachment 607428 View attachment 607429 View attachment 607430 View attachment 607431

that looks really successfull. Did he sell the rest of them too?

I certainly need to give rooting them a try.

 

[baron]

I would say so yes. Wasn't any harder compared to layering a maple.. Maybe I got lucky with the amount of rain and humidity last year.
They aren't for sale (yet). This one was a gift for doing the airlayers and other work.

Did some trimming a little while ago, and got reaction pretty quick.
Current growth is still strong on mine.

 

[leatherback]

I would say so yes. Wasn't any harder compared to layering a maple.. Maybe I got lucky with the amount of rain and humidity last year.
They aren't for sale (yet). This one was a gift for doing the airlayers and other work.

Did some trimming a little while ago, and got reaction pretty quick.
Current growth is still strong on mine.

View attachment 607524

Well.. If you see a nice fat one there, and you can convince danny to pop it in the load for the Trophy..
Please let me know and/or keep one on the side for me.

Mature trunk specimens are rare finds

 

[baron]

I doubt they will be going to the Trophy, but I'll keep it mind.
There will be loads of other interesting material for sure!

 

[baron]

Btw, I don't know if you are able to get in touch with Corin?
He seems to also be having some experience with them.

 

[TrimmyWhimmy]

I'm growing Nothofagus Moorei and Cunninghamii. Cunninghamii takes easily from cuttings. Currently attempting the same with Moorei. The cuttings look healthy after a couple of months so I expect they will work. One of my Cunninghamii seemed to drop dead from overwatering, which I didn't expect being a rainforest tree. I think I pruned it around the same time so might have been fungal. ?

 

[leatherback]

Btw, I don't know if you are able to get in touch with Corin?
He seems to also be having some experience with them.

excellent, thx!

 

[Betula1]

Into the 4th serious heatwave here in England this summer and persistent drought, both species of my Nothofagus are showing what I assume is signs of heat stress , whereas most of my other trees are still doing OK
Nothofagus antarctica and procera both suddenly started yellowing this week- is it early onset of autumn?! Has anyone else experienced this?
First is Nothofagus antarctica which was grown from air layer 3 years ago and second is Nothofagus procera, @10years old .