Larix Decidua

Joe Mc

Today I purchased a european larch that, my limited knowledge of bonsai tells me, has great potential.

It is currently in a 2 gallon pot and stands 74cm / 29" from soil to tip and a diameter of 21mm (13/16th") at base.

The reason I picked this particular tree is because of the gentle s-curve in the trunk and the many branches from which to choose for the scafolding. To me, it looks like a perfect candidate for informal upright styling.

I guess my main questions about this tree are:

1. How do larch respond to wiring, and when is the best time of year to do so? I would like to wire the main branches down a little and wire a new leader in place.

2. Can they be propagated from cuttings, if so when is the best time? I want to remove some of the unnecessary branches and would like to put them to use. Sizes from 1mm up to pencil thickness. Could I start them now, indoors in a humid environment under a grow lamp?

I am a beginner , so any other information you would like to add would be much appreciated. Any special requirements, prefered soil, etc.

Or, pehaps someone could direct me towards an article about larch as bonsai? I did do a search but didn't turn up a whole lot.

Thanks,
Joe Mc

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Joe Mc

Darn, I am sure I used a small d on decidua. Oh well.

weirdowl

Hi Joe MC,
Did you try the search feature here on the forum? Here's a link to Bonsai Clubs International Just look for the species guide. They have info. on Larch.

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weirdowl

Joe Mc

Thank-you for the link weirdowl. I had not seen that site before. The larch section answered many questions for me. (good thing I didn't wire yet)

I did do a search here and found some wonderful photos, but not a lot of specific information.

Any info on cuttings would be much appreciated. (wasn't mentioned at BCI)

Thanks,
Joe Mc

weirdowl

Are you sure you read all the info. on larch? Look again at the Propogation paragraph on the Larch page. I'd just tell you what it says but I can't remember exactly. If it were mine, and I wanted to take cuttings, I'd follow their directions and try to grow any branch I cut off despite thickness concerns. Can't hurt to try.

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weirdowl