Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Nana Gracilis" Pt III

Although the ground layer was successful, the tree did not survive after the main root system was severed. Bonsai tuition!!!

Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Nana Gracilis" Pt II

As discussed in Pt I, because the ground layer was so successful, the tree was potted up in March of '07 in this training pot. The new layered roots equaled approximately 1/3 of the original root mass.

The tree prospered during the'07 growing season combined with my feeding regimen, the roots soon colonized this 9 x 9 3 inch pot and repotting had to be once again considered.

The original root mass was severed from the tree as 2/3 to 3/4 of the roots were the result of the ground layer. It was difficult to find the tourniquet in the mass of fine feeder roots, but was found nonetheless and finally removed.

This the right side of the tree.

The tree was planted out on this slab from Erin Pottery. The slab dimensions are: 15.5 x 10 x 2 inches. Because of the shallowness of the slab, a layer of Sphagnum moss has been added as a top dressing to help maintain moisture and retain the soil in place. This side was chosen for comparative purposes only.

The following picture depicts the left side:


... and finally the back or front:


The old front:


The tree photographs with quite a severe lean to the left in this position, I am not sure why, as this has always been the chosen front.


Although this picture viewed from a slightly different angle offers a better view of the intended silhouette which is similar to the back view. The disadvantage of this view although favourable for the tree, does not highlight the slab well. The slab was meant to be used in my opinion with the old front view.

As stated in my original article "Taming the Hinoki Cypress", Hinokis do not take well to a repot and wire at the same time. Therefore as the wires have not begin to bite in, the tree will be left to recover this summer. I will be monitoring closely for biting and remove the wires at first sign. Then a complete re-wiring can and will be carried out at a more favourable time, which is during fall.

Much more refinement is needed during the third phase of this project. All the branches will be re-wired and brought down into perspective now that the tree is positioned somewhat in its final resting position. More work is required in cleaning and defining the crown, not to mention a slight reposition of such. The good thing about Hinokis they remain fairly flexible.

Considering the starting material I believe the tree is coming along quite well. Hinokis take extremely well to ground layering and the method used in Pt I can be safely applied by anyone.

Chamaecyparis Obtusa "Nana Gracilis" (Hinoki III) Pt I

This Hinoki the third in a series was acquired because of the straight trunk in May '05. It was potted out in a large bulb pan and received its original styling. Notice the area that is encircled. This area just below the basal flare runs for approximately 1 1/2 inches below the soil line. This problem will need to be addressed if I am ever going to get this tree in a suitable container.


This photo was taken in Sep '05. The tree has filled out nicely and we can see a formal upright in the making.


In March of '06 the foliage (fans) were flattened and thinned out, and the tree rewired. Because of the slender trunk, this tree will never be able to support a large foliage mass, well at least not for the time being.
It was also time to deal with the problematic trynk below the basal flare. A tourniquet was applied above the old root system, windows were cut along the circumference of the trunk (6 or 7 I believe), rooting hormone was applied and the tree was ground layered. The tree was potted in my normal mix to just over the previous roots, then the top to just below the basal flare was filled with straight screened turface ((1/32 - 1/16" particles)(Japanese sand). The tree progressed nicely during the growing season.



This photograph was taken in July '06, as it can be seen, the tree has never missed a beat. The second photo is of a possible future.



Over the summer it became apparent that the top need to come off. This reduced the overall height of the tree approximately 3 inches as can be seen in the 2nd photo. The overall reduction and rounding of the crown proved beneficial.
It was evident beginning in July that the ground layer was doing its job as several fine feeder roots were seen on the surface.


Because the ground layer was so successful, the tree was potted up in March of '07 in this training pot. The new layered roots equaled approximitly 1/3 of the original roots. Based on what was discovered I decided that it would be safe to reduce the original root mass by half. I did this for 2 reasons: one I didn't think the tree could survive solely on its new roots because of the foliage it had to support; and two I wanted the new roots to gain in strength and continue to proliferate, while the tree is still being supported in part by its former root mass.
The gamble IMO paid off as can be seen in the accompanying photo which was taken in July '07. This coming ('08) mid to late March (weather dependent) the roots will be revisited again and a decision will be made whether to place the tree on its new roots or a further reduction of the old root mass.