Manzanita

Nerfgunn

It came to my attention throught rigorous searching that manzanita is not commonly used as bonsai. It thus follows that there is minimal information about the species in which to guide me in my attempt to create a spectacular specimin. I found a few threads on this site that addresed the concerns and questions that I have now about these trees. But they lacked in detail 'the development of a collected specimin to bonsai'. Many question and subtopics arise from this main question such as:

- What soils are best for this tree, including room for discussion of mycorhizzae. This by the way was introduced to me by a post by gregb.
- What are the natural growing habits of this tree (backbudding etc...) of which I am under the impression that it does not
- Under what conditions does it thrive? (sun or no?)
- and how do I eventually get it from a 5 gallon container into a signicantly smaller bonsai pot?

In all I am curious to know what to do with my tree and also hoping that other can also learn from what I am doing. I plan on posting now and again the progress of this tree and the new experiences of success or failure of its owner. So first I must brag about the success I have seen so far.

I collected this manzanita from a hillside in Northern California. At the time I saw little potential in it but after a long day I didn't want to return empty handed. I really didn't expect it to survive because the rootball split in half whilst in transit. However, it has so far survived, and better, has burst with new growth all over. It was just last week that I gave it a light trim, and in doing so saw good potential for bonsai, not just a tree. The last picture is before the trim, taken about 3 months ago. The others are new. It still needs some work on top for sure. But I can wait. It is currently sitting in the shade on my porch and has been. It seems quite happy there.

Attached Images

	front view.JPG (61.0 KB, 88 views)
	back view.JPG (65.7 KB, 97 views)
	Manzanita before.JPG (71.5 KB, 98 views)

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valuehorse

u should collect many more and just experiment with what they like or what they will tolerate as far as abuse.
also you should plant some in the ground if you can.
i like this one.

bisjoe

Manzanita are among the most difficult trees to keep alive in pots, bonsai or otherwise, for whatever reason. There are experts that have had mixed results, but I have seen it done successfully, like this one from a Bay Island Bonsai exhibit.



I have found a similar problem with our native Madrona, but still two that I'm working on. It's worth a try!

bonsaikc

Bisjoe,
Thanks for linking to that tree. I had the honor of preparing that one for exhibit, cleaning the bark and lime sulfuring the jin and shari. I understand they can be difficult to keep healthy as bonsai, but this one has been very rewarding!

__________________
Chris Johnston
"She was a critic, and lots fo critics who aren't called to do what they write about grow jealous and mean and small in their disappointment." - Stephen King, Duma Key
Sashi-no-eda.blogspot.com

Nerfgunn

I did stumble upon that tree when I was google searching for manzanita as bonsai. It is by far the best example I have seen, though I found only enough to count on one hand.

bonsaikc,
Do you know anything else about the upkeep of this tree? Or maybe the transition from collected specimen to bonsai?

gregb

I collected the tree KC and others have posted in October of 2002 and sold it to a member of Bay Island Bonsai Labor Day of 2003. He first exhibited the tree in 2004. Tom Kelly interviewed me for an article in "Golden Statements" GSBF's bi-monthly news magazine. The article appeared in the Sept/Oct 2004 edition. It is a comprehensive article that should answer the questions you ask in this post. You can get a back issue from the GSBF web-site if you contact the editor. It costs about $5 for the reprint. It's 8 pages long; please don't ask me to repeat it here

bisjoe

Amazing tree, Greg. By chance have you had any experience with Madrona
(Arbutus menziesii) or know if anyone has had success with them?

gregb

Joe--I brought several Arizona madrone with me when I moved to Hood River from Tucson in '06. They did very well the first summer here. Since I collected them from elevations from 6,000' to 8,000' I felt they would not need much winter protection here, since it is only 500' above sea level.

Winter '07 was pretty normal for Hood River; lots of snow, ice storms, etc. The madrones seemed o.k. through winter but failed to bud inthe spring and were dead by July. I have collected a small Pacific madrone and will try to be a little more vigilant about winter protection with it. Hope this is helpful to you

bisjoe

Thanks, and I hope you let us know how the pacific madrone goes. I kept mine in a winter enclosure and so far it's made it, but the branch I cut off of it and attempted to root not so much. Some of the leaves are turning black. I collected it on New Year's Eve which is perhaps the worst time to try rooting but not use throwing it away if there's any chance.