old rosemary, can I save it?

Sandi

Hi everyone, I have this old rosemary (30yrs. approx.) in my yard. I've only lived in this house a few years. Every wintera the wind blows the heck out of it. I have staked it time and time again. We don't want it in that spot anymore and I'm wondering if I can make a big bonsai out of it. If I can, do I have to wait till next spring? I'll post some pictures. The roots only grow from one side because the other side has been yanked on so much from the wind. I'll post the right side first, showing all the foliage and I drew a line to where I would shorten it to. It is about 4 feet from ground to tippytop.

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Sandi

Now the front. There are no roots emanating from this side as indicated by the line.

Sandi

Now the left side. I drew a line showing where the roots are approximately. I can't get a good picture of the actual back do to it's proximity to a drop-off of the bank.

Sandi

Here's one more pic. It's got such cool bark and it's amazing how much healthy foliage there is when there is also a lot of dead wood.

ripsgreentree

Sandi: This is an opertunity to obtain a beautiful bonsai. When you dig this plant up try to lift as much root ball as possible. Sellect a good intermiadiate growing container, cut all downward growing roots and shape a fairly flat root spread and leave as much fine hair roots as you can. Prune the top to the shape that you want but remember that rosemairy does not bud back very well at all so leave plenty of green needles on the limbs that you want to save. Plant in good soil and water in, start feeding after you see new growth. After a year of growing and shaping, pot into the bonsai container that you have chosen and you should have a beautiful bonsai.
ripsgreentree

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

Sandi

Thanks Rip, Do I do it now or should I wait till early spring next year? It's just getting into the 50 degree temps here. The rosemary is blooming furiously, so I don't know.

TreeBay

Blooming signifies the end of dormancy, so I'd go for it before it's through.

Regards,

Matt

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Tony

Sandi,

This is some great looking material. You don't find many rosemary this age and size. I would go slow at collecting it. Take a sharp spade and cut down through the soil about a foot out from the trunk all the way around and keep it well watered this season. That will cut the lateral roots and cause new feeder roots to form close to the trunk. Depending on progress you can collect it next spring or the year after and put it in a training pot.

By the way, I'm curious to know what your lowest winter temperatures are. I've always heard that rosemary will die back to the roots in a hard freeze.

Tony

TreeBay

For the best winter protection, just keep your Rosemaries well hydrated with Diet-Rite Cola, and tied down so they don't run away!

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