Yamadori Hemlock

[MaineBonsaiEnthusiast]

Hey Everyone,
So I'm pretty new here and this is my first post. So in June (I know it was late in the season) I collected a hemlock in Vermont and it still doesnt seem to be recovering well. I'll admit I think the biggest issue was that I wasnt able to save very many feeder roots. I misted the roots and wrapped in a plastic garbage bag as best I could. Got it home the next day and planted in coarse perlite. I put some sphagnum moss directly around the roots. I put it in full shade and have watered and misted it regularly. It seemed to be staying in stasis and finally pushed a small amount of new growth but it all has slowly wilted and died. It is now beginning to lose old needle growth in some spots but some are still rigid and holding to the branch. I'm looking for some advice on what the best course of action would be at this point. I'm aware that the tree likely may not make it but I want to do anything I can to help it along. I noticed the root zone is very cool sitting in the shade so I thought about putting the tree in a place where it gets some morning sun to try and warm the roots and encourage more photosynthesis. Any thought would be appreciated thanks!

 

[River's Edge]

Hey Everyone,
So I'm pretty new here and this is my first post. So in June (I know it was late in the season) I collected a hemlock in Vermont and it still doesnt seem to be recovering well. I'll admit I think the biggest issue was that I wasnt able to save very many feeder roots. I misted the roots and wrapped in a plastic garbage bag as best I could. Got it home the next day and planted in coarse perlite. I put some sphagnum moss directly around the roots. I put it in full shade and have watered and misted it regularly. It seemed to be staying in stasis and finally pushed a small amount of new growth but it all has slowly wilted and died. It is now beginning to lose old needle growth in some spots but some are still rigid and holding to the branch. I'm looking for some advice on what the best course of action would be at this point. I'm aware that the tree likely may not make it but I want to do anything I can to help it along. I noticed the root zone is very cool sitting in the shade so I thought about putting the tree in a place where it gets some morning sun to try and warm the roots and encourage more photosynthesis. Any thought would be appreciated thanks!

It is likely too late but the one extra thing you might do is to tent it for extra humidity! Morning sun is not a bad idea as long as it does not expose the plant to drying winds as well.
Hemlock are typically very dependent on feeder roots near the surface of
the soil and when collecting this zone should remain as undisturbed as possible. Rarely would a hemlock survive collection with few feeder roots.

 

[MaineBonsaiEnthusiast]

I just saw another thread with a collected hemlock and they did that. I definitely should have done that right away, I'll give it a try. Thanks for your help, I'll take this as a learning experience for next time! Thankfully the Birch I collected on the same trip is doing awesome!

 

[MaineBonsaiEnthusiast]

Would it be beneficial to remove branches that seem to be dying off? I've read they rarely back bud or grow new needles.

 

[River's Edge]

Would it be beneficial to remove branches that seem to be dying off? I've read they rarely back bud or grow new needles.

If the branch is dead and you seal the cut no harm is done. If you remove live foliage then you reduce the chance of it surviving.

 

[MaineBonsaiEnthusiast]

Cool, thanks again for the advice!