just a question-Learn to Develop Stock?

Attila

That's a very prudent approach and you could certaily do that. This would further reduce the transplant shock.

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Vonsgardens

Roy's situation was a little different than many, the trees had needle cast (at least the hundred or so that I saw), so they were fighting a double whammy when dug. Like Mike P., I think that aftercare of freshly dug field grown trees is more critical than many would like to admit- some species need to be handled like large "cuttings:, others (like tridents) when dug at the correct time of the year are almost indestructable. Regardless, once you get "good" at handling the species that you work with (like 100% survival of tridents and 99+% survival of pines and junipers-there is always one really exceptional one that will break you heart), it kind of gets to be difficult to kill them if you follow your established guidelines.

Best of luck,
John

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mike_p

I would guess that if Roy's pines had needle cast, they would be in too weakened a state to dig up and expect to survive.
Thats a really tough break to have a bunch of field grown pines become diseased.

Mike

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OKbonsai

Ok, there is a lot of good information here and at times I wish I would remember to cut around my pines but I haven't yet. That being said I would like to show what my pines look like after 5 or 6 years in the ground. I dig many every spring and loose very few, and if I did more of what has been suggested here I might have better results. For me I am always looking for better ways to grow my trees and I will change when I find better ways but for the most part I just stick with what works for me. Have a look or even better yet come by for a visit. Thanks Frank

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Will_Heath

Impressive,

How often do you prune?


Will

OKbonsai

Well, I like to twice a year but sometimes I don't get to it. Sometimes time just gets away from me. This summer I had a friend from the OKC bonsai club help me for a day and we got 2 rows pruned. He was amazed how slow it was. We hit them pretty hard and probably shouldn't have because the next week it was very hot and I lost a few. Sometimes you have to do things when you have the time or the help. Here is a picture of one that we did, in a couple of years it will be a nice tree. Thanks, Frank

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Vance Wood

You demonstrate the one major element in doing field cultivation; You have to donate almost as much time to working with this stuff as you do the stuff in pots. If you don't, go back and read what happens to neglected field grown trees. I am glad some of these things have come up.

We talk a lot about field growing material but these several posts on the matter have pointed out that this is not a panacea but just another potential headache. A field gone wild is the same as a wild field full of potential trees that are not so easy to move and must be treated as yamadori.

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Vance Wood

Does anyone want to discuss the care and cultivation of collected materials, either yamadori or freshly harvested field grown material? If we go that direction will I once more be accused of hijacking this thread? Maybe we should start a new thread?

Anyone remember the story of Horten the Elephant?

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The only finished bonsai is a dead one; me 1992 MABA Des Moines Iowa

OKbonsai

This is my livelihood and they are never really neglected, does that bed look neglected? Sure it takes a lot of time and hard work but what doesn't. I don't need to go back and read what happens to neglected field grown trees, I've seen it first hand. But I learned from other's mistakes and I know that if I am going to sell trees I have to do more and do it better. And when it becomes a headache I hope I am smart enough to get out.
Frank