October 2007
Arbutus unedo or Strawberry tree is a native of Mediterranean regions and much of western Europe and Ireland where it is known as the Killarney
strawberry tree. I had never heard of the species prior to adding this big lump to my collection….I fancied the challenge of something new. Seen here after two seasons growth (it was almost bare of foliage before that) and ready for some work to begin.
These flowers appear in late autumn.
The following summer the edible “strawberries” look very tempting.
Trunk detail before the work.
Definitely not shohin bonsai material!
Trunk detail after the work is completed.
Much more compact. Initial branch lines selected and placed in position. Deadwood cleaned and some small areas of carving started. 3-4 years from collecting we begin to see the bonsai emerging. This year has seen the leaf size reduce dramatically.
Me and the “Strawberry tree”.
This is one of the most rewarding trees I have ever owned.
November 2007.
Hi. My name’s Paulo. I’m from Portugal.
I work with “Strawberry tree”. I loved you bonsai of “Strawberry tree”. Never seen like this in Portugal.
Please email me…i would like to talk better with you.
Tank you!
A bonsai tree is any type of tree punerd or manipulated to keep it small. I have never heard of such a thing as a bonsai tree seed? Sounds like someone trying to make a buck, suckered you in. You can buy a small bare root evergreen seedling from any good nursery and have a better head start on a bonsai tree. They will probably have a wide variety to offer too. Then go to the local library and get information on how to wire, prune and shape your little tree.
Roots use oxygen in the process of respiration that is part of cell division. ‘Breathing’ is an ambiguous term.
I am of the opinion it takes a lot more than a shake of commercially produced product to develop an effective and bio active soil mix. Akadama is at best what we might call a hand watered hydroponic mix. If you want to go to all the trouble of making that work for you then respect is due. Products like that will support life and in some climates work well enough but I am of the opinion we can do a lot better.
G.
I am fascinated by your videos and the many description of methods and why they are done. May I ask you a few questions which puzzle me?
1 There is so much written about ‘roots breathing’. I have a degree in botany but never have I recognised an organ structure in the root which can metabolise gases, any gases. What is true is that the many microorganisms of all sorts are able to convert gases in the soil into absorbable electrolytes. Loose well drained soil means just that; soil which does not retain water to create a soogy mass; it allows water to drain not gases to take over for absorption.
2 I used the mycorrhyzal granules some years ago and when the plant required repotting, I was amazes to find the granules as they were when the plant was potted originally. I could only explain by thinking that a/ the granules had passed their shelf life or, b/ because I used pure akadama, the absence of humus was the cause of their inaction.
What do you think? And by the way do you have any cascade pots on sale!!
John Dowse
Sorry. it’s not a comment on your article.
2. Hope to see more of your work soon.
Hi. My name’s Paulo. I’m from Portugal.
I work with “Strawberry tree”. I loved you bonsai of “Strawberry tree”. Never seen like this in Portugal.
Please email me…i would like to talk better with you.
Tank you!
A bonsai tree is any type of tree punerd or manipulated to keep it small. I have never heard of such a thing as a bonsai tree seed? Sounds like someone trying to make a buck, suckered you in. You can buy a small bare root evergreen seedling from any good nursery and have a better head start on a bonsai tree. They will probably have a wide variety to offer too. Then go to the local library and get information on how to wire, prune and shape your little tree.
Very good”thank you
Roots use oxygen in the process of respiration that is part of cell division. ‘Breathing’ is an ambiguous term.
I am of the opinion it takes a lot more than a shake of commercially produced product to develop an effective and bio active soil mix. Akadama is at best what we might call a hand watered hydroponic mix. If you want to go to all the trouble of making that work for you then respect is due. Products like that will support life and in some climates work well enough but I am of the opinion we can do a lot better.
G.
I am fascinated by your videos and the many description of methods and why they are done. May I ask you a few questions which puzzle me?
1 There is so much written about ‘roots breathing’. I have a degree in botany but never have I recognised an organ structure in the root which can metabolise gases, any gases. What is true is that the many microorganisms of all sorts are able to convert gases in the soil into absorbable electrolytes. Loose well drained soil means just that; soil which does not retain water to create a soogy mass; it allows water to drain not gases to take over for absorption.
2 I used the mycorrhyzal granules some years ago and when the plant required repotting, I was amazes to find the granules as they were when the plant was potted originally. I could only explain by thinking that a/ the granules had passed their shelf life or, b/ because I used pure akadama, the absence of humus was the cause of their inaction.
What do you think? And by the way do you have any cascade pots on sale!!
John Dowse
Sorry. it’s not a comment on your article.