. I was told it still may have some life in it. It was largely ignored for 5 years and was extremely pot bound. I transplanted it in pumice, pearlite, orchid bark and a small amount of potting soil mix (20% maybe). It is very well watered and drains really well. Thus far all I have gotten is a profuse quantity of suckers around the base of the tree. I have attached a photo below. Other than continue to pray, is there anything else I should consider doing? I live in Southern California.
Mitch
I am pretty sure it is alive due to the suckers at the bottom. However, I think you are going to end up with an interesting lightening struck style tree where the main trunk is a jin.
This year I would let it grow to gain strength. Early next spring I I would prune it back leaving some of the woodier bits - leaving more than you want from the design - and start wiring them up. I would envision a clump style tree where it sprouted from the roots after lightening killed the main trunk. As part of that I would plan to do some major carving - perhaps splitting the trunk from the top for 1/3 - 1/2 the height. I think you can tell a really neat story with this tree. Not the traditional bald cypress story, but the atypical stories can be among the best.
Thanks for you input Marty. I never thought of the design elements you described and I can see that the possibility of a striking bonsai are possible. Hopefully I don’t kill it off in the process. I am still looking for signs of strength.
I’m with @Bonsai_Bentley, looks like type of asparagus fern to me too.
Not sure that it is actually a fern vs. the common name. There’s a bunch of Asparaus spieces that have common name of Asparagus Fern ( Asparagus virgatus, A. aethiopicus, A. macowanii are a few).
Maybe scratch around a bit and see if it is connected to the trunk (or has a rhizome or corm, which the asparagus ferns do)
No I have not seen that stream but I will start watching it today. Thanks for the heads-up. The fern diagnosis is interesting. When I brought the tree home and started watering it, the suckers started coming from the base of the tree (eg appeared to be growing out of the roots of tree). I removed them hoping that whatever strength they were using would be directed to the top of the tree.
After repotting the suckers began appearing again; even after reducing the rootball by 50%. As I said, I will take an up close photo today of those… whatever they are.
Thanks for all your information guys. I am convinced now that this is indeed a fern and the the tree is a goner. My final question is, could the fern have played a role in the trees demise? As I said, this growth was evident when I brought the tree home but I cut it back before transplanting.
well that will be interesting. Any suggestions about how to encourage actual branches?
