Mr. Tom [Mon],
Thanks so much for your response...I have been hesitant in sharing this method of 'growing on' the trees because of the many things I have read on this and other forums warning against it, although I have never been able to find out what method these folks had bad experiences with...I too have been fortunate enough to collect several nice trees from the wild, as a matter of fact, I learned of this method during a collecting trip on the Mississippi south of New Orleans, when I found a 1/4 inch diameter sapling that I really liked the shape of...I made a comment that 'I hope this one is still here in a few more years'...My cajun friend LaMoigne Bergeron, told me to go ahead and dig it up and he would show me how to thicken it, and develop a good flare at the base...I did and he did, and I have been thankful ever since...I no longer have the opportunity or physical ability to collect trees from the wild, but the bald cypress still remains my favorite speices for bonsai, and this method of 'growing them on' at least gives me the opportunity to develop a nice tree from nursery stock...
As I stated in the post about the method, I have used this in more northern climates, but one needs to keep the water level down, [no standing water] during the winter months, and I would insulate the pot with fiberglass insulation...Here in San Antonio, and in New Orleans, this was not a problem...
And yes, you are absolutely correct...
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You replenish the water often adding oxygen and keeping it from being stagnant
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I am adding water daily during the growing season, and often enough during the dormant period to maintain a good supply of oxygen to the root system...According to LaMoigne the bald cypress does develop the enlarged base much better when slightly rootbound and consistantly wet...In my observations of trees growing in the ground as landscape trees, and along riverbanks and swamps, I think he just may be 'spot on' with this statement...
I am glad to here you may give this method a try...
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will have loads of extras
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I do hope you will also have a control plant or two, so you can see if there is an obvious difference, and perhaps keep us informed of your results...
Regards
Behr
