Bald cypress stump

Bonsaifreak

Glad to be back after the uneventful hurrican evacuation drill from last week.

Purchased an 8 feet tall Bald Cypress from Home Depot 2 weeks ago. It is about 3 inches wide at the base with nice buttressing and nebari. I went ahead and choppped off the to to about 22 inches in height. I plan to create a jin at the apex cut in the future.

Here is my question, how long until I start seeing signs of new branch budding on this thing? I am new to this species but I understand they are fast growers. So far nothing seems to be going on with the stump. I don't think is dead either. It is getting plenty of water and I am keeping its "feet" wet all the time.

Jorge

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agraham

Hey Jorge,

we lucked out,eh?....I don't know much about baldies('ceptin my own head) but there are some experts in here who might tell you that this was not the best time to cut back drasticaly.We still have a few months of relatively nice weather so it might be ok.

andy

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Bonsaifreak

Andy:

Oops! I hope I didn't make a boo boo.

We still have several weeks left with hot weather the way things are going here in tropical Texas.

Jorge

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"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

grampz

We all three escaped the worst of rita, for which I am truly grateful even though she managed to bring some serious heat our way...As to the bald cypress, as Mr. Andy stated this is definately not the best time to do a chop...That said, since you have hopefully not done root pruning you may very well see some new leaves this season, although the daylight length is coming to the point that the trees are beginning to shut down...If you do not see new growth this year, don't give up on the tree...Keep it moist through the winter but leave outdoors...I am almost certain considering the species abillity to survive, you will see new growth early to mid spring...

Regards
Behr

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Vonsgardens

Jorge,
We dug a few in LA in August (an experiment). They (almost) all budded back fine. Protect it from the wind and drying out etc. And, with the weather this year- freezing (I know, but you never know anymore....) John

Bonsaifreak

Thanks guys!

I am constantly learning new bonsai facts. I have not done any root pruning and, like I said, the cambium is still green. I am keeping it moist, it is in the shade and the pot is inside a plastic kiddies pool with shallow water.

Jorge

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"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

sauce

Behr and John gave you some good advice. What you need to remember is tree growth is not based on temperature. The length of daylight is the determining factor in how a tree grows. It is still in the low 90s during the day here in Fl. but the BC and Sycamores have already started turning brown and dropping leaves. I thought my BC were dying until I looked at the ones in natural settings and saw them doing the same thing. It's weird and something that
still amazes me, we always associate dormancy with cold weather because they usually occur at the same time but the weather has nothing to do with it.
These guys could care less about the temperature, they know when it's time to drop the leaves. The ideal time to cut or chop is early spring but BC are tough and yours will probably survive. Good Luck!

Dale Cochoy

when I read this I thought, "OK, here will be another disappointed bonsaier in the spring"
It is too late in the year to chop a conifer off with NO foliage, even in Texas. I fear what will happen is you MIGHT get some budpop and possible extension then ....frost...and wham! It's too late now but, in the future I'd save those jobs for spring. You'll note John mentioned digging some in August was an EXPERIMENT. I did some collecting a few years ago in New Orleans and they commonly do their digging in February/March and chopping back.
Also, DO NOT keep it sitting in a pool of water all winter. You will only promote root rot. They "tolerate" pools of water. It was growing in soil when you got it, keep it in bonsai soil and it will be more responsive than sitting in a pool. You can set it there for a while after collecting, until you get it potted, but you don't want it growing in water. You are confusing "toleration" with what it should have.
Regards,
Dale

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If you want to be Different....
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Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
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Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

Fletch

Hi Dale;

I had been wondering about the sitting in a pool thing too,but knowing nothing about the species (other than it does grow in swamp territory) had kept quiet. Good to know for future reference, not that I'm likely to collect one anywhere near here, but you never know I may strike it rich some day and get the yen to travel.

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Advice worth every penny you paid for it.

Regards
Fletch