名媛直播

名媛直播 forum

Dwarf Alberta spruce

  • Hemry
  • Hemry's Avatar Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 3
  • Thanks received: 0

Dwarf Alberta spruce was created by Hemry

Posted 4 years 7 months ago #59502
This is my second attempt at a home depot dwarf Alberta spruce. I'm form northern Montana. The tree is ten years old and 27" tall. I dont wire, just prune to shape. I bury the whole pot in the ground over winter and the heavy snow also helps to shape is as well. I mistakenly pot bound it over winter two years ago and that kill a few branches. Ive only pruned the roots once. I peeled off all the neddles that were at least four years old and that's when the lichens started to grow on the top third of the tree. Any of the pruning I do now is to just clip off any buds that are growing straight up.
by Hemry

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Spot Beagle
  • Spot Beagle's Avatar Offline
  • Senior Member
  • Senior Member
  • Posts: 64
  • Thanks received: 13

Replied by Spot Beagle on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 4 years 7 months ago #59503
Let it grow a few more years, and study. You might consider a bigger pot or planting it in the ground. It's cool enough in Montana to get away with either thees days.

Are there drain holes in your pot?
by Spot Beagle

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Hemry
  • Hemry's Avatar Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 3
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Hemry on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 4 years 7 months ago #59523
Yes I drilled drain holes the two gallon pot. Don't think I will ever put it in the ground or a regular bonsai pot. They are not as difficult a tree as I was led to believe, and I have gotten at least one or two instances of back budding in the last few years. I added another picture of a bud from this year on wood that's at least five years old and covered with lichens, and a picture of the trunk. I'm very happy with the sparse look of it.
by Hemry

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Tropfrog
  • Tropfrog's Avatar Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 4560
  • Thanks received: 1497

Replied by Tropfrog on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 4 years 7 months ago #59526
Nice. I have the same experience with das. Mines backbud really easily on old wood.

However, I have heard several experienced bonsai keepers saying they dont backbud. Dont know the reason for that, but would be happy to understand why.
by Tropfrog

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Hemry
  • Hemry's Avatar Offline Topic Author
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 3
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by Hemry on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 3 years 11 months ago #65030
Here is pictures over winter. The snow really helps to flatten the branches and crown.
by Hemry

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Tropfrog
  • Tropfrog's Avatar Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 4560
  • Thanks received: 1497

Replied by Tropfrog on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 3 years 11 months ago #65048
Unfortunately the das is very flexibla and the branches will hot set like this. In my experience it is better to selectivly prune branches growing in the wrong direction rather than trying to manipulate them to another.
by Tropfrog

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RogerFisher
  • RogerFisher's Avatar Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 1
  • Thanks received: 0

Replied by RogerFisher on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 3 years 11 months ago #65066
The snow perfectly flattened the branches, but I did not understand the essence of the problem?
Last Edit:3 years 11 months ago by RogerFisher
Last edit: 3 years 11 months ago by RogerFisher.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Tropfrog
  • Tropfrog's Avatar Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 4560
  • Thanks received: 1497

Replied by Tropfrog on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 3 years 11 months ago #65067
Hm, I dont think there are any problem, just a nice picture of a tree with snow on.

Or do you mean the flexibility of spruce branches? They are almost impossible to set branches on using wire. When you remove the wires they just move back to the original location. The same happens when the snow melts. I have heard that it is possible to set them if you are persistent and wire several years in a row. I am not.
Last Edit:3 years 11 months ago by Tropfrog
Last edit: 3 years 11 months ago by Tropfrog.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • lucR
  • lucR's Avatar Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 1444
  • Thanks received: 487

Replied by lucR on topic Dwarf Alberta spruce

Posted 3 years 11 months ago #65068
i am training a little spruce for 4 years now. Looks nice with wire on, but unwire and 2 days later all branches are upwards again.
by lucR
The following user(s) said Thank You: Tropfrog

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.