Shrub to Tree (Part 2)

Ok.

Maybe I wasn't expecting this many branches to come off but the end result shows promise.

I won't post any photos of it for now, still need to clean up the trunks, but below is a plate of cuttings :)

Doesn't Look Good...

Unfortunately it seems that the sun has been a bit much for the little Black Locust Tree seedlings. Has been very warm in London over the last few weeks but they look so sun-bleached. Moved them into the shade now, and hope they recover but those hopes are not high...

Halfway Point...

Roughly half a month has passed since I started the Cold Stratification of most of the seeds that are yet to be planted, and the Common Larch needs a month! I will be away for the weekend after next, but I think the seeds will be fine with another week or so in the fridge... Looking forward to getting more seeds in the ground.

By then the Black Locust Tree seedlings should be ready to be transplanted into larger individual pots so that should free up 6 spots in the seed trays - more than adequate for the seeds to be planted.

And Here Are Some Pics....

The Black Locust Tree seeds have sprouted as I mentioned a few days ago... Finally managed to get some pics to upload, been a bit busy being back at work, being introduced to hundreds of people and generally getting back into the flow of waking up at 5:30-6 in the morning (fortunately avoiding the morning rush hour). But enough about me, and more about the sprouts!

Only 3 so far so still hoping on a couple more, but that'll do for now... Will wait until they have grown another set of leaves or two before repotting into something larger... Guess I now need to wait for a few years before doing anything with these guys. Still, most success I've ever had with seeds other than chillis. Let's hope they continue to develop nicely...

Planting Diagram...

And here it is, the two seed trays:

The key is below:

C - Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus Libani)

E - European Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus)

H - Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis Obtusa)

W - White Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis Alba)

J - Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda Mimosifolia)

B - Black Locust Tree (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

O - Orange Jasmin (Murraya Paniculata)

R - Coast Redwood (Sequoia Sepervirens)

(Latin names are 'fun' to type - please not the sarcasm)

Last Week...

The first of the seedlings sprouted! I haven't been able to get any photos yet, but I can tell you it's the Black Locust Tree... Pics coming soon and a diagram of the plantings coming in a bit!

Black Locust Tree (Robinia Pseudoacacia)

Now this is an interesting one, haven't been able to find any stunning examples of Bonsai versions of this. Leaf structure is very interesting and the pods/flowers are quite delicate and beautiful.

No stratification required so already planted them out.


A 24 hour soak in hot water, they bloat nicely once they're "ready", probably the most visible change of any of the seeds I've seen so far...


Unfortunately forgot to take any photos once they bloated, got a bit carried away with the plantings and other distractions...

The trees are interesting, though Bonsai photos have been hard to find...

Though the adult versions are much more interesting, maybe something i'll be able to replicate (especially the bark):