Myrtle just dug up

Small leaf Myrtle growing in my yard for about 25 years or so. I think it's myrtus communis var. Tarentina. Height from rim of tub is about 19 inches.
I plan to let it soak for 2 or 3 days with some rooting hormone and mild fertilizer in the water. Then I'll hose the old soil off of the roots and soak it again. In about a week it will go in a pot. Then comes the time for study and decision making about it's future.

Mike

I'm curious about digging up a deciduous tree at this time of year. Do you typically do this or just for this species or ??? Thanks!

Hi Carolee
I live near San Francisco, about 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The climate is mild and the ocean fog provides moist air which is good for growing. I think almost anything can be dug up this time of year and make a successful transition to container culture.
I believe in a long soak with rooting hormones and mild nutrition in the water, It gets the plant well hydrated before potting and stores up some nutrients to sustai9n it while new roots are forming.
Anyway, that's my theory. Seems to work.

Mike

BTW, your Ben Franklin quote is one of my favorites.

Mike,
Looking forward to what you do with it.
Jerry
www.bonsaihunk.us

Hi Mike,

While I agree with your soak method for many trees, I would question its use for this species. It is a mediterranean shrub and in my experience dislikes too much water. I've lifted a couple of large Myrtles and they shook off the transplant shock as if nothing had happened.

Mike, you are far more talented than I am. I look at that mess of trunks and branches and feel overwhelmed.

Can't wait to see where you take it.

Ed

In April I bought a piece of myrtle recently brought back from the Med by that lovely John Pitt. All the information I found on it concurs with Kev's point: don't feed it and don't get it wet. (If the sources had added "after midnight! to that, I'd suspect I've acquired a gremlin!)

It came on leaps and bounds with being virtually ignored and showed no sign of "collection stress". Interestingly, over the summer I had it in full sun and forgot to shelter it during the month of the rain we had. Having said that, John had potted it into a very free-draining soil mix and I doubt if it was standing in water for any real length of time.

Don't know if that serves to clarify or further confuse the issue.

I must need my tea.

I'm surprised at the interest in a collected Myrtle. Thank you all for your comments.
The image below shows the Myrtle in a pot.

Mike

Mike,
Looks like good progress.
Jerry
www.bonsaihunk.us

Thanks, Jerry.

Mike

Mike, thanks for the information. There are several trees I'd like to dig up. We are still having days in the low seventies, with nights in the upper forties. I don't think I'll be able to get them in the spring since we'll be moving. So, I'm going digging tomorrow! Your crepe myrtle looks like it will become a very interesting bonsai. I look forward to seeing its progress. I'm glad you appreciate the Ben Franklin quote, I think it is important for us in the U.S. to remember this in times of crisis.

Ah. Now I'm confused. Myrtle or Crepe Myrtle?

Fiona, my tree is a true Myrtle, botanical name myrtus communis. Crepe Myrtle is not related. The botanical name is Lagerstroemia Indica.
There is often confusion between these 2 species.

Mike

Just a well - my post was based on Myrtus communis!