Baobab 1st birthday when to prune

flehmann

I got several seeds of baobab from a nursery shop. I planted them around march last year following instructions on the packet. But the only way I got one growing was by putting the seed in a diluated vinegar in hot water. Quickly I got one seedling (on four) that made several leaves, i repoted in a bigger container with garden soil (I know it is not the best but I have read that baobab dislikes soil changes and it's in that the seedling started) and it continues to grow a lot until the dormency (15-17cm.

The first winter dormency I've choosen not to dry out completely. I continued to provided a very little dose of water each 4 to 6 weeks, 2 or 3 leaves only have dropped. As March was quite warm, it woke up and started to do new leaves. Watering season and feeding restarted. Old leaves from last year are still there.

The trunk has now grown nicely the base (Caudex) is nearly an inch wide for 25 cm. I've removed the old soil spoon by spoon each month and I replace with a more drainant soil. I will repot the tree during next dormency.

I would like to train it for a bonsai but I don't know if I should prune the top for getting a ramification and when I should do it (partial defoliation ?, clip and grow ?, top pruning ?)

I've read quite a bit on how to train baobabs but nothing is clearly defining when and how the ramification is starting. And I don't want to have a one meter stick without banches for forming the tree.

If someone with baobab experience could give me some advices.

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AndyWilson

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/f14/baobabs-5329.html

Check out this link, it's by Duncan Wiles i believe. Baobab are a hard species for a begginer. the watering should be very carefully monitored. By the way if you do a search on the word baobab you will find more info on the species.

Check out that link tho, i have posted it many times and it is the most complete info avaliable on this site i think.

soltan

I had the best info on baobabs that I was given But I have lost it now. Not sure were I got it.
I got gertmination of 95% in very hot weather middle of summer after very low germination in spring. By nipping into the seed casing with the tip of branch cutters. Totally peircing the casing, Soaking for 24 hours and then planting. Germination was in 4-5 days.
While waiting for leaf drop in winter the seedlings sufferd frost burn. This almost killed all of them.
The information I was given after this was that once the temp droped to below 5-10 deg celc (I forget the exact temp?) they should be protected. Not wait for leaf drop like I was. Then they can be bare rooted and kicked under the bed for winter .
After the frost damage I left mine potted in soil and stuck them in the laundry cuboard. Darkness for about 4 months I guess untill the temps warmed up again.
The two that had survived the frost damage leafed out late spring to middle of summer.
Not much growth over the season but I put that to the frost damage. The apex o I now have them in a cuboard again for winter. I will see how they go next year.

I tried seeds in the manner I stated early spring and all failed to germinate. I will try again this summer when it is really hot.
I am growing the Australian Baobab it could be slightly different to ther African one?

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flehmann

In the nature the only way the seeds are sprouting out it's from animal eating it and through the digestion process it got a lot of acidity. For that purpose I soaked the seeds in hot water with some vinegar 1/4 and it worked better than my first attempt.

I red as well you might sand paper the seed before to soak it in water. You can go quite hard with sand paper.

It's help the water to penetrate in through the hard shell that is protecting the seed.

I still got no advice on when to prune my 1 year old baobab. I will post some photos.

farlinzee

I don't suppose you would prune it in winter in Switzerland. My mate Attila has some awesome specimens and prunes them anytime in our reasonably mild Melbourne climate. The roots are delicious to eat ( like a crisp pear) so don't let em go to waste. Just peel the bark off the roots and consume.

Cheers
Lindsay

flehmann

Some evolution of the tree. Since my first post, I've decided to let it grow for a while and I'm thinking to chop the top in winter during dormant season.

The baobab has started to do leaves divided in two and the top leaves are divided in three. It's getting a lot of fertilizer, organic + each 2 weeks chemical one. I forgot to mentionned the tree is outside we had a very warm april that promoted the strength of the tree. Since we have quite mil season hot for several days over 28C then going to 18C with a lot of rain. The tree is not exposed to the rain as I don't have a garden but a small balcony well exposed on south west. So I'm controlling the watering like that there is no rottening roots.

I promised you some pictures and I'll do it asap.

soltan

http://www.buzau.com/baobab/5years.htm
http://www.saba.org.za/baobabs.htm
Sorry about not answering your question. I hate that.
Try these two links not sure if they answer your question but some where on that first link is mention of a forum that members have some info. That is were I got the best info I have ever seen about baobab.
I would love the info again myself.

__________________
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BRETT AUSTRALIA ZONE 8-9?

flehmann

for french readers I found an interesting forum on the baobab only:
http://www.boutique-baobab.fr/forum

I got there aswell information about when to prune: before dormency break or in september. I've opted for the first choice and I'll chop the top in March 2008.

A moderator is advising for a fast growth or for recovery to give the baobab some egg shell because baobab are growing on the nature in a soil containing a lot of calc.

I put a hole egg shell in small pieces by the trunk of the baobab and going to see how it's going to react.

Moleque_san

I think it may better serve being crushed as small as possible and then spoon mixed into the soil rather then just on top. You want the egg shell to deteriorate so the tree can feed on its nutrients. On the other hand you could continue in your path and gradually have the egg shell watered in.