Yamadori (Skyline)
Oct 28, 2023–a friend in La Honda, just off Skyline allowed me to explore her 1+ acre hillside property for any small trees I would like. Mostly Firs, Redwoods and Madrones. I may come back and try a Madrone, with their beautiful bark—but the leaves are large and not a commonly used tree in bonsai.
I collected 3 firs and 2 Redwoods.
Bought a Radius Root Slayer, on sale for $30. Amazing Yamadori essential.
☠️ Sadly, most ALL of my collected Douglas Firs are dead or fading (May 2024). Tried to remedy by more secure wiring to the grow box, shade, and even heat mats. Not sure if I have learned the secret to successful collecting.
IDENTIFICATION
To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers.
Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers.
Post-Yamadori care
Steve Iwaki
For collecting redwoods, I use old bonsai mix or even planting or cactus mix works. Just keep the soil moist. Don’t bag, leave them in the open. Pumice and bagging is the technique for collected Cali junipers. However others use lava and misting. You learn best by experimenting.
It is not species specific.
live.bonsaimirai.com/archive/video/post-collection-potting 147
The why is balance of H2O & O2.: Collected material generally has less roots and thus needs less water and more air. This is why pumice is ideal. It holds less available water and provides good airflow so new roots can emerge. Collected material knows that it is in a critical state and will redirect resources to keep itself alive, growing below the soil line to do so.…pumice promotes O2 and holds less water.
Definitely sift your soils, pumice, akadama, lava, any organic parts of your mixture. The 1/8”and less particles of pumice aren’t free draining, which will create a sandy paste when it is saturated, not good for the health of the tree.
…best to let the collected tree sit for at least 1 full year. This allows the tree to recover, and it helps you to understand what the tree likes / doesn’t like…which is important for the tree-health.
Mirai Forum
High risk recovery (novice)
Mixed unsifted pumice into potting soil + native soil. Not enough air for root growth.
General Protocol for Yamadori Aftercare
Pot the plant into a container it fits into as quickly as possible after the dig (within a couple days max). Minimizing this time minimizes stress and maximizes healing. Some extra root pruning may be done but not too much or it may not survive. Fine roots must be left on the tree when potting as they are the engine of your tree's survival! Honeysuckle won't be picky, use any potting soil you have available, but bonsai soil is preferred when you get more advanced or for older trees and more delicate species which are challenging to transplant.
This part can get nuanced for advanced practitioners. I'll just leave you with the idea that 100% pumice is the preferred bonsai soil to surround freshly dug rootballs as this allows lots of air into the pot and promotes lots of fine root development. Perlite is allegedly comparable, cheaper, and more widely available but my own experiments with this are underway so I cannot say yet. Try for yourself and let me know!
Large trees can be put into custom-built wooden pots. You could also leave them in the black contractor bag if you used the durable kind and poke holes throughout for water and air to get in and out of the rootball. I have done this with success, but I can't say that it is better or worse. I'm still collecting data on this method but it is VERY convenient (on time and cost), and my teacher Dan Robinson has used this method with success for years.
Leave the plant in the shade while it recovers from the dig for at least the first summer due to the stress of heat and water loss. Do not fertilizefor the first few months after digging either as excess ions from fertilizer can dry out sensitive new roots and kill the tree's recovery. Water regularly. Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet.
Water regularly and fertilize lightly throughout the summer. Honeysuckle should grow abundantly to continue recovering; other species recover much more slowly. Survival is only assured after 1 year. Do not prune unless you are confident in its survival.
In winter, insulate your roots from and protect them from dry winter wind. This is the same recommendation as most bonsai, but especially true for sensitive freshly dug plants! You will still need to keep the soil moist as it can dry out even in winter.
Post-collection health
Two months out, some redwood fronts are lateral and upright—even as hardwood cuttings
Some are wilted and weak in color—even if potted with original roots
Will be curious to report on progress in Feb 2024
