two bougies, one question

ChrisM

while watering today i noticed that one of my bougies has begun to rot where a major branch was removed last year and that another one of them is putting out new foliage (anywhere from six to ten new leaves on almost every branch, except 2 small ones). the question is... these are kept indoors, is it safe to work with them in thier respective conditions? i have only three and minimal expierience with them. any help VERY appreciated.

chris

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node

Are they kept warm and light, or cold and dark?

They behave quite differently depending...

If you get it inside and put it cold and dark, it will drop it's leaves and go kind of dormant until spring. It has very little need of water then.

Best is to cut back hard before putting it inside for the winter. If you put it under lights it will still lose some leaves, but will start actively pushing new growth and even more flowers almost immediately. I notice that it doesn't like drying out when it's actively growing like this, and need a lot more water this way.

The one you describe as putting out new foliage seems to be actively growing, and if it is pushing new leaves I assume that it is not sitting cold and dark. If you want to do a little light pruning on that one, that should be o.k. If you want to do heavy pruning I suggest just letting it grow until spring when you put it outside and cut it back then.

You don't say anything about the condition of the foliage on the other one. Assuming that it's not pushing new growth, I'd suggest waiting until spring to do any work on it.

In general, letting the shoots grow out over winter and cutting it back in spring will get you some nice back budding...

Hope this helps...

Stefan

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ChrisM

node, the second tree just finished flowering three weks ago, i have noticed only one new bud on it so far. they are both kept in a nice warm, sunny bay window. my main concern is the rot i noticed. i know they are soft as it is, i just don't want it to get to far before it can be worked on (some carving planned for this year).

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Bonsaifreak

ChrisM:

I have a uite few bougies in training. One of them developed a wood rot at the trunk base. I carved it out, lime sulfur it and applied Minwax wood hardener and is now under control. It might be something to consider on yours. Good luck.

Jorge

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ChrisM

jorge, the only thing i am worried about is the time of year. i don't believe the tree is dormant, but would like to be sure unless it is an emergency. how quickly does rot spread in bougies?

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

Bonsaifreak

Bougies are tough cookies so I don't think you'll hurt it with some carving. They have soft wood so rot can spread quickly, particulary near the soil line. I'd say you should try carving it out if your design allows for it . Treat it afterwards with wood hardener (more than one application may be necessary until the surface is truly hardened). Leave a live vein access for your other branches. My outdoor bougies are starting to pop out new growth eventhough spring is not officially here (our winter does not last more than 4 weeks )

Jorge

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RonMartin(deceased)

Chris
Bogies are noted for getting rot. Sometimes they just seem to want to rot. ;o)
Most of the time it occurs where a cut was made in a manner that will not allow water to drain off it.
When this happens it is best to just remove all the soft wood. Take it right down till you see green. Then stop and let it all dry out before you treat it with anything. If you don't then you are just sealing moisture in and creating more rot.
Seems like a lot of people will tell you to use Min-wax to preserve the wood when you are done. This will work for a while. It will definitely harden the wood.
But if one reads the label on Min-wax they will see that it is not for outdoor use. How long it will keep the moisture out is questionable.
Before everybody jumps up and screams. If you read the label on the can it mentions a specific spar varnish to use outdoors.
I have used both. Got decent results from both. The spar varnish is however an almost a forever fix. The regular Min-way will last as long as any indoor paint does that is exposed to the elements. Choice is yours on what to use.
Just a thought . Jim Moody used to use carpenters glue to preserve the rotted parts of his bogies. The good stuff is waterproof and it does turn the wood a very pleasing color.
Just make sure the wood is dry before you seal it with anything !!

Bonsaifreak

Ron:

Great tip, I didn't know about this varnish you mention. Can you give us some specifics like brand and name of the product...

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."
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RonMartin(deceased)

I'm not at the house right now . Can't remember the brand name off hand and no label to read )
Just go to any Wall Mart , K Mart etc and look at the can. The name is on the label
If you do so will you post the brand name for the forum