I know that some will dunk their redwoods and treat them similar to BCs. I don't personally do this (I do keep them well watered though), but the practice seems to make a lot of sense. Attached are some pics I found of redwood forests in China. The trees are growing directly in or right near a body of water (again, similar to BC).
Re: Dunking Dawn Redwoods
- Thread starter dbonsaiw
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Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
cool pictures
Though they might be related, they are probably not the same species
Tolerances for things can vary from species to species in the same family so I wouldnt necessarily soak them
Though they might be related, they are probably not the same species
Tolerances for things can vary from species to species in the same family so I wouldnt necessarily soak them
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
The Chinese redwood in the pictures is Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia glyptostoboides. It is related to the American redwoods (Sequoiadendron and Sequoia).
Also very similar in growth and habitat the American bald cypresses (Taxodium) as can be seem from the photos. The only real visible difference is leaf arrangement - opposite in dawn redwood, alternate in BC.
Dawn redwood loves water as shown in the photos. I treat mine very similar to the bald cypress and give them a shallow tray of water through summer and have no problems. They definitely don't like getting dry.
Also very similar in growth and habitat the American bald cypresses (Taxodium) as can be seem from the photos. The only real visible difference is leaf arrangement - opposite in dawn redwood, alternate in BC.
Dawn redwood loves water as shown in the photos. I treat mine very similar to the bald cypress and give them a shallow tray of water through summer and have no problems. They definitely don't like getting dry.
Cruiser
Chumono
This developing dawn redwood was kept in a tub of water throughout the season. It put on about 4’ of top growth. No problems.
(Don't let the skimpy appearance fool you, that’s residual inner growth following a massive haircut).
The tree is planted in pumice with a bit of df bark in an Anderson flat. Water level submerged 1/4 to 3/4 the height of the flat most of the time.
Root growth was very strong. Numerous tentacles extend through the water.
The high water table appears to have prevented fine roots at the soil surface from drying out.
In my case, the only notable downside to growing the tree this way appears to be the mosquito larvae that also grew in the tub.
(Don't let the skimpy appearance fool you, that’s residual inner growth following a massive haircut).
The tree is planted in pumice with a bit of df bark in an Anderson flat. Water level submerged 1/4 to 3/4 the height of the flat most of the time.
Root growth was very strong. Numerous tentacles extend through the water.
The high water table appears to have prevented fine roots at the soil surface from drying out.
In my case, the only notable downside to growing the tree this way appears to be the mosquito larvae that also grew in the tub.
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Related: this season I mis-ID'd some Dawn Redwood cuttings that I struck last year as BC. I treated them as BC and watered them more aggressively (but not full soak). They seeemed happier and to put on more growth than my other DRs.
I have two small versions of each and looking to see what can be done with them in the coming years... I just think they are both beautiful trees.
We have lots of full-size Dawn Redwoods here in SE Michigan and they look great in the fall!
We have lots of full-size Dawn Redwoods here in SE Michigan and they look great in the fall!
gooeytek
Shohin
Nice pics! Makes me want to try a redwood now...
