Coastal live oak bonsai

I thought I was in for a simple before and after post about a coast live oak until I began the root work. Curious about where this would lead, I began picking at the old soil until most of the rootball had come undone, coastal live oak bonsai. After removing a few more large roots and picking at the soil for two hours, I was ready to put the tree back in a pot. Instead of returning it to coastal live oak bonsai bonsai pot, I opted to use a large training pot to give the roots lots of space to grow.

Coast live oak is ubiquitous in the canyons and foothills of southern California, providing food acorns and habitat for wildlife. The tree was purchased as a pre-bonsai from Kuma Bonsai nursery in San Diego in New growth was insufficiently pruned in the first years after purchase and it was very spindly until spring in , when it was pruned back hard. I nearly lost it after a hard root-pruning in winter but it recovered. Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.

Coastal live oak bonsai

Coast live oak—Quercus agrifolia—is an iconic coastal species along the Pacific coastline of North America. As one of the most interesting oak species in the world to be used as bonsai, this broadleaf evergreen never fully defoliates. It maintains its foliar mass and boasts a thick, rigid, spiny leaf as its main identifier. Because coast live oak grows in the Mediterranean belt of the Pacific coastline of California, it has characteristics that prevent transpiration within its aesthetics. Coast live oak is a moderate water mobility tree, meaning it needs to dry out between waterings—contrary to most broadleaf trees. Due to the thicker, rigid leaf and reduced transpiration, oxygen must be allowed back into the system before being thoroughly hydrated again. Because coast live oak grows in the Mediterranean climate in California, it loves heat and can grow in incredibly hot, dry conditions. When kept in a deeper container that has a reservoir of water, full sun exposure will create tight inner nodes, small leaves, and a strong tree that is very responsive to bonsai operations. Coast live oak does not tolerate freezing temperatures when in a bonsai container. The smaller the container, the more susceptible it is, but the general rule is to not let your coast live oak bonsai freeze. In a native region, you may experience a light frost, but never significant freezing.

Can or should I de-foliate the tree and let new leaves grow along with our deciduous trees.

They can be broadly divided into the white oak group think valley oak, Quercus lobata and the red oak group think coast live oak, Q. Within each of these groups the species widely hybridize with each other, making species identifications a matter for experts. Confusing the matter further the leaf morphology can be highly variable from young to mature trees, and even within a single mature tree from the top to bottom of the crown. It does so well here we should consider it an adopted child. Quercus lobata valley oak is the largest North American oak. It grows in the river valleys of California below 2, ft elevation.

There are hundreds of members of the Quercus genus, that which contains all of the oaks. There are more than species native to North America alone. Not all of these are amenable to being grown as bonsai. Those that are, however, make lovely and gratifying bonsai subjects. Oaks are more particular than other plants about when the grower prunes their roots. Oaks demand greater care in that regard than popular maples and conifers.

Coastal live oak bonsai

Known for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of climates, the coast live oak bonsai is a great option for those just starting out in the art of bonsai. The first step in growing a coast live oak bonsai is to choose the right pot and soil. You should also select a pot with good drainage to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot. As for the soil, a well-draining mixture is essential for the health of your coast live oak bonsai.

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Install the app. Messages 14, Reaction score 21, Location Fairfax Va. You may use a solid akadama soil or a akadama, pumice, and lava mix as long as you can customize your watering schedule. Members from many of the local bonsai clubs have excellent examples of what can be done with the coast live oak. Sign me up. Hopefully this will give you an idea. It would be helpful to have a photo of your oak to know what you're talking about. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Please try again. It takes to pot culture and back buds extremely well. All the best to all you tree huggers, JBS.

Coast live oak—Quercus agrifolia—is an iconic coastal species along the Pacific coastline of North America. As one of the most interesting oak species in the world to be used as bonsai, this broadleaf evergreen never fully defoliates.

Thanks, Giorgio! Log in. Replies 16 Views 3K. California valley oak transplanting. Cynipid gall wasps are a common but not overly damaging pest known to live on coastal live oak trees. It is native to Portugal, Spain and other parts of the western Mediterranean, and is the source of commercial cork for wine corks, etc. April 24, New growth. The Journey Begins. Our bonsai garden, studio, and creative ecosystem operate with the aim of understanding and exploring the identities and boundaries of all types of bonsai through the context of the tree. Hi Sebastian — Good guess! This is most likely a coast live oak.