> Hi Les,
>
> Thanks for unlurking, it's questions like yours that keep the
list
> going.
>
> Good start with the Larch but you now need to exercise a lot of
> patience. The white roots that you have noted are extremely
brittle and
> unlikely to support (in every sense) a layer of any size
greater than
> matchstick thick itself. The whole layer should be left as it
is and
> watered when necessary for at least a couple of months,
preferably
> longer.
>
> If roots are 1" and are touching the plastic already, you could
> (extremely carefully) remove the plastic, wrap another layer of
sphagnum
> at least as much again in a ball shape around the existing one.
Then
> re-wrap with plastic. This is a dangerous manoeuvre though as
the young
> roots can easily be damaged. Two pairs of hands would be an
advantage!
>
> When the roots have turned to creamish brown and are coiling
around
> inside the layer is about the right time to remove it. This
would be
> best done after leaf fall or in spring.
>
> A light and airy soil mix will help prevent any damage. I've
found that
> the greatest aid to success after removal is secure tying to
the pot.
> ANY movement at this stage usually leads to failure. I don't
attempt to
> do any root sorting at first potting time, though some do. I
leave it a
> year so they have a chance to harden a little.
>
> Cheers
>
> Kev Bailey
> Vale Of Clwyd, North Wales
>
I'd think, too, that up where he lives he'd need to give it a LOT
of winter protection so those new roots don't get damaged by the
cold. If I understand Larch (and I probably don't) they normally
need very little winter pampering. A new air layer will, I'd
think.
Some coldie please confirm for him
??
Jim Lewis -
jklewis@nettally.com - Tallahassee, FL - Bonsaiests
are like genealogists: We know our roots!
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