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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7659

  • MWid
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It is a monkey thorn acacia, acacia gilpinia is also a good species for bonsai.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7660

  • pieterbosch
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B) Cool, you might get some nice looking Nebari.
As a novice I hate to be the one to ask, but considering your previous post where you mentioned that a piece of the bark at the bottom has rotten off.
I was wondering that if a Monkey thorn responds to "Wet feet" at all like a Black Monkey Thorn (Acacia Burkei), then keeping your Tree in moisture retentive soil might leave you with root rot if you are not careful.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7661

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Yeah I have thought about that, I water this tree about 4 times less than my other trees, I really struggled to get a good free draining mix with this tree, I tried 3 different mixes which ended up being the worst draining mix you could possibly think of, water just stood in the pot for about 10mins hahaha. I think it was a combination of to much river sand which was getting caught up with the medium sized drainage stones at the bottom of the pot. After trying 3 different mixes I gave up and potted it in the garden. Only to be told a few days later by my mom that she did not approve..joys. In the end I decided to use bigger drainage stones and just a simple potting mix, I am a bit dissapointed with how much water it retains, but I don't think I should do anything to it, since I tampered with the roots so much already, I was worried the poor tree would die.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7662

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My Burkei is in a somewhat crude looking Concrete pot.
The mix of soil (if you can call it that) is more like sand, than anything else. The water does not stand for more than a few seconds.

But considering the three was a gift (collected Yamadori north of Tzaneen 6years ago), and I have no clue as to the exact soil mix, I guess I am hardly the one to talk.
It is almost pure sand, very much like the semi-desert soil of the Bushveld.
I asume there must be organics in there, but not in abundance.
The growth has been good though.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7663

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Interesting, maybe I should just use course river sand next time I repot it., and just make sure to give it dynamic litter and fertilizer every so often. You wouldnt mind sharing a pic of your tree would you?

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7664

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Will do, it is not wired in one of the traditional Acacia styles (having spent most its life in the wild), so it might seem a bit odd at first, but there is method in the madness.
I will post a pic a little later tonight, when I am home.
I have also been experimenting with some soil mixes, for Johannesburg conditions, so far with great results.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7665

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Nice, with the soil mixes, Ive only gone through one potting season, so I have much to learn. Im excited to see your tree. My tree is also far from the natural savanah/pierneef style bonsai, but I very much like it how it is.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7666

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Well here it is. It is still very much work in progress, and far from where I want it.

It was collected some years ago, and Have not have any Bonsai training until now. This is the first wiring. Next week I will defoliate.

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7667

  • Youri1995
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Good job! Where did you get that pot, it's very nice (though too big/heavy for this tree, but for a training pot it is okay)

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Acacia Progression from stock 11 years 5 months ago #7668

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Thanks Youri1995, I think there is a guy just north of the Hartebeespoort dam that makes them. And yes its as heavy as it looks.

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