Welsh beauty is a bit sloe

This Blackthorn is one of my favourite trees - I swapped it for a massive Wyche Elm six years ago. I was told at the time, that the tree was collected in Wales and was completely unworked. Over the last five years, I have slowly moved the bottom branch from ahorizontal plane with the use of raffia and guy wires. Last spring, it received it's second wiring. I put it in its present pot this spring.
Although it has been well fed and watered, it hasn't put on any growth at all, this year. I feed with organic seaweed extract, rapeseed cakes and a very dilute solution of phostrogen.
I have had other trees occassionally get "stuck" and have found a total leaf prune kicks starts them again. No such luck with this sloe!

Anyone got any ideas?????

It's a lovely tree.

Since you just repotted this spring and, I assume, into a smaller pot, I'd just baby it until next spring. If you get no growth then, maybe a larger pot is called for??????

The new pot is very slightly smaller than previous container. Growth has been prolific in recent years.

Try a diiferent growing position, more light less feed. But babying is the best solution, having repotted it. Older plants can and will kick their heels when disturbed, even if they appear to have been prolific in recent years.
Have you checked the pot for critters?

Sorry, I have no clue how to fix your growing problems. But I have an idea for your tree.



With the crown like this the nice curved trunk will be more noticeble.

Tree is kept in full sun and watered up to twice a day depending on sun and wind etc. No critters as i treat with Provado twice a year and bug free above ground as well. Thanks for virtual but im happy with my styling. Might rotate it slightly to the right when i next repot. I know you Welsh guys have been working with old Blackthorns for a long time,any of you had similar problems?

When you say it hasn't put on any growth this year, do you mean that it hasn't leafed out, or it isn't extending new growth? If it hasn't leafed out, I'm afraid it is bad news.

Nice little blackthorn with nice movement.

Greetings,
Yannick

Hi Kevin. The photo of the tree was taken 3 days ago. It hasnt put on any extention growth at all, very good leaf colour though!
Hi Yannick. Movement is good isnt it. you cant really see on the photo but the bark quality is superb, looks like a truffle.

Ah in that case, don't worry. Mine stayed reluctant to put on any extension growth for a couple of years after initial potting. Just leafed out and then sat there all summer. This year it flowered strongly, set more fruit than ever and has now put on 6" extension growths all over. It's time for a haircut!

Here's a close-up of the bark.

Hallo Will

.....just a sidenote.......
The bark looks as there is a lot algae/moss on it. I personally experienced that a "cleaned/brushed" tree can take a better "breath".......dont really know how to explain that.

Best regards
Martin

Hi Klaudia and Martin. The green algae on trees is a perfectly natural phenomenon and has absolutely no detrimental effect on trees.I would rather have the algae than risk damaging the delicate bark. The algae seems to come and go anyway.

Is the pot made this way or is that some kind of growth on it?

Hi Jaco. The whitish flecks are glaze on the pot. I make my own pots,winter time. Pots i make dont always come out as i intend . when this one came out of the kiln ithought it suited the rough bark and the white flowers.

You make very beutifull pots Will.

kind words Nik. Have been making pots for about a year now. As i was saying theyre a bit hit and miss. There are a lot of factors involved, but ill just keep on experimenting !

The whitish flecks are glaze on the pot. I make my own pots,winter time. Pots i make dont always come out as i intend . when this one came out of the kiln ithought it suited the rough bark and the white flowers.

Now I see the pot texture. I agree, it complements the bark of the tree.

Its good to know when someone else agrees with your judgement. Makes you feel your moving in the right direction. Here is a shot of the back.


It

Love the pot and love the bark. I think they work quite well together.
Jerry
www.bonsaihunk.us

Thanks Jerry, as i say a pure stroke of luck ! Id still like to know if anyones got an idea why my tree hasnt extended this year ?

Martin Sweeney asked for pics of this tree without leaves

Beautiful tree Will. I have the same problem with my Yews when I repot them, they almost seem to shut down for a season or two before they re-establish themselves.

Ian.

Great trees, everything on it is made beautiful. I love these creations, and nothing should change. If I understood well, the tree slowly progressing!?!? I think this is normal because it's kind of slow and creates such beautiful creations ... I believe that there is no place concerns!