Defoliation to cut watering down and new inorganic soil supply

Hey folks,

firstly apologies, these have been shown before, but I just wanted to share.
Both shrubs have mastered their soil mix, and in our Dry Season, watering shifted to morning, evening and lunch time.
So a defoliation was done to slow things down a bit.
Hopefully the rains will come soon.

On the Malpighia e. the leaf area will hopefully grow out and fill an empty spot.

The Gmelina is probably at it's max for branchlets, and is in a larger pot.
Feel free to comment yah or nay.
Both shrubs are around 31 to 32 years and had a deep search for tap roots reforming. Nothing but fine roots.
Enjoy.

A shot of a new source of an inorganic soil ingredient. Grows trees well. Not sure where from or what it is, but it works.
Will seek answers.
Laters.
Khaimraj  

Malpighia e.



Gmelina



Inorganic soil ingredient

hey !
i got me one of those gmelina's (parrots beak) when i was down in florida, doing well, but is a long way off from yours khai !

that is an incredible base !!!

Hello Kevin,

a few bits for you.

[1] It takes roughly 7 feet [ 214 cm ] of extension to get the trunk to reach 1" [ 2.5 cm ]

[2] Tons of sun and then gallons of water, but the soil must drain well.

[3] Red lava = Crushed red brick, too rich an addition can kill this shrub.

[4] About 10 years to get the big flaking bark, but it also happens on anything under 3" [ say 8 cm ] in height.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Khai.........

thanks khai !

once it recovered from being kidnapped from sunny florida, stuffed into a box, crammed into a plane and later having its blindfold removed only to be blinded by snow and freezing temps, it has done very well in my office window and today she comes home for the summer...

i have been letting it run wild a bit because as i understand, and am observing, it tends to break buds on old wood easily.
i dont know that our growing season (or my room) will allow for 7' of extension, but one sacrifice branch has shot out 2-3' since february

Kevin,

extensions can be one long shoot or several shoots on one branch, as long as it adds up to 7 feet.
Hope that helps.
Laters.
Khai....

but i was told there would be no math !!!

Khaimraj wrote: ... ...Both shrubs are around 31 to 32 years and had a deep search for tap roots reforming. Nothing but fine roots.
Enjoy.

I love your dedication, Khaimraj. I love the work you do to your trees, my friend, the way you take notes on everything about them.

beer city snake wrote:but i was told there would be no math !!!

ROFL!!!

I can help. I know what that substrate component is. It's... AhhhhhhhhhI have no idea. Could you get a closer picture? Maybe 600 ft closer?

Alexandra,

I try to simplify and then pass it on.

David,

I will get a shot of the soil mix in use, so you can see.
Laters.
Khaimraj

Dear Khaimraj, I love the trees you show us!
Can I ask why you defoliated?
Is it because of the munsoon?

Thanks in advance,

Tentakelaertje

Tentakelaertje,

chuckle, wrong side of the world -> West Indies [ Caribbean ] see near Venezuela

We have two seasons down here Dry and Wet.

It's the Dry season, presently, though the skies seem to be ready to rain - fingers crossed .
Less than 2.5 cm a month, if any.
The watering went from twice a day, to thrice - lunch time.

However, both trees are already back in leaf -
So much for my relaxation.
Hope that helps.
Until.
Khaimraj

Precarious wrote:I can help.  I know what that substrate component is.  It's... AhhhhhhhhhI have no idea.  Could you get a closer picture?  Maybe 600 ft closer?

Hi hih hihhi hihhi ihii iiiiii


Stunning trees Khai.....     how dare he annihilate your gorgeous name like this,  shall I have a go at him, dear Khaimraj.... that Mr Stoeveken,  the impertinence!  
hih hihii hihii i

Love and Light
ps. Is that your black vehicle in front of the gigantic heap of stuff Khaimraj?...

Thanks Khaimraj, it helped
Well, assumptions are wrong again
Those leaves pop back on really friggin quick!
By the way, I really really like these trees!

Thanks and regards,

Tentakelaertje

Hello Andre',

replies will be later and later, as exams are over next week and then it's 3 months to catch up on finishing the house at Mayaro. Last effort after Christmas was the removal of fast growing trees, the slower trees are able to handle the breeze.
So I have logs sitting on the ground since then, thank goodness for dry weather.

Yup, my car, I moonlight as a mechanic as well, so it's a fixer-upper. Used to belong to a youngester, who thought he could just add on racing parts. Now those changes are falling off.

Tentakelaertje,

I see you are 18, just about the same time I started and that shrub is from a 8 cm cutting, and with 30+ years. So find yourself the equivalent and get going.

David,

still have to get time to image anything. Please hang in there.
Laters.
Khaimraj