treeline
Sapling
Anyone who spends time in the American Rockies has likely come across Mountain Mahogany (C. ledifolius). In the Great Basin, we have a variety that produces very small leaves, twisting trunks, and abundant deadwood. This shrubby plant is Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany (C. ledifolius var. intricatus) and it's one of my absolute favorites. This thread shows the progress of one I collected: a slender example that grew on an exposed ridgecrest above Great Salt Lake. Clearly, the wind had done a number on this plant.
According to my notes, I collected it in February of 2022 and potted it in sifted perlite topped with shredded sphagnum.
Six months later, August of 2022, it blew off the bench and shattered its pot. To my surprise, the roots looked to be actively growing in August. Regardless, into a box it went with a healthy drainage layer of hard Idaho pumice. Over the next couple of years I applied a few guy wires and did some light pruning to gradually move toward the image I had in mind.
After a really strong season of growth in 2024, I set about changing the planting angle to make a less tippy looking composition.
I plan to rewire in summer as long as the plant seems happy with the new arrangement. And then maybe a bit more branch removal in the fall if it feels right. I'm in no rush here though as these are very slow growing and I'd like to keep the momentum up. More to come -- including more Mahogany projects.
According to my notes, I collected it in February of 2022 and potted it in sifted perlite topped with shredded sphagnum.
Six months later, August of 2022, it blew off the bench and shattered its pot. To my surprise, the roots looked to be actively growing in August. Regardless, into a box it went with a healthy drainage layer of hard Idaho pumice. Over the next couple of years I applied a few guy wires and did some light pruning to gradually move toward the image I had in mind.
After a really strong season of growth in 2024, I set about changing the planting angle to make a less tippy looking composition.
I plan to rewire in summer as long as the plant seems happy with the new arrangement. And then maybe a bit more branch removal in the fall if it feels right. I'm in no rush here though as these are very slow growing and I'd like to keep the momentum up. More to come -- including more Mahogany projects.
