Roadman's Deshojo raft project

[RoadManDenDron]

So this Deshojo came from a friend

He had lost interest in it as he has much better trees now, and by chance the picture he sent me something caught my eye straight away...



This morning I noticed the buds were starting to open so it was time for the work to begin, I'm concerned it's a little early and we still have near freezing temps of a night so I will protect in the greenhouse of a night.

Step one: roots were reduced to avoid bleeding when branches were cut off and windows were cut



Step two: branches were removed along the bottom edge



Step three: windows were cut were I hope to get roots, following peter adams book I aimed for around the edges of the bends



Step four: rooting hormone was applied around the windows



For soil I used a really free draining mix as a thick drainage layer with a thin more moisture retentive on the top as I fear the pot staying too wet while I wait for roots, I also packed under the trunk with sphagnum moss and tightly wired the tree in its new position



As I said above i am wary about the cold weather we are still experiencing, would you recommend bottom heat or is it unnecessary?

Thanks for looking

 

[JeffS73]

Can you heel the pot into the ground, or mound some mulch around / over the old rootball? Even a tarp or similar at night would help. We definitely get frosts in March and April in Sheffield, I've lost maples (and others) repotted this early.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

would you recommend bottom heat or is it unnecessary?

Bottom heat wouldn't save the tips of the branches where the growth is emerging right now.
Best to keep it cool in my opinion, since this can delay leafing out by quite a bit. With bottom heat, leafing out will be a given. Any snappy frosts would do your plant dirty.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Thanks guys,

I have a greenhouse I can bring it in of a night and back out sheltered in the days?

 

[Cadillactaste]

T

Thanks guys,

I have a greenhouse I can bring it in of a night and back out sheltered in the days?

Two stepping would be ideal. Protecting from frosts for certain.

Cool project. Love rafts.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Interesting project!

Looking things over one might want to identify the keeper trunks, then get rid of the clutter. This will focus the energy, leaving more for the trunk and new root growth.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[RoadManDenDron]

Thanks @Deep Sea Diver
I will do that, I was thinking more leaves would give more roots like a air later and was going to work on trunks after roots

But I trust your input

 

[JudyB]

Very Nessie- like. In a good way! I hope this does what you set it up to do.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thanks @Deep Sea Diver
I will do that, I was thinking more leaves would give more roots like a air later and was going to work on trunks after roots

But I trust your input

Thanks. Happy Friday.

… This will give enough room for the remaining trunks to leaf out well. The actual root ball should help things stay strong.

Cheers
DSD sends