Thanx to Kevin and Jim for their attention on this matter.
Kevin, your advice on the procedure sounds good. Without it I probably
would have cut much too soon and ruined the tree.
Jim, it is zone 8 up here which, according to a website I visited today,
makes its average low temp in the winter comparable to Houston and
Dallas. But I'll move it into the potting shed around the middle of
November just to be safe.
In article <006401c47570$75040080$82102cc7@pavilion>,
jklewis@NETTALLY.COM (Jim Lewis) wrote:
> > 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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