feeding yamadori

Hi guys. I have a question for those of you who are "bonsai huters" those who hunt for yamadori.

What do you feed your newly potted yamadori?

Nothing. That's what everyone used to advise. Now, many people are more inclined to believe that normal feeding can be started immediately, but I don't feed until a few weeks after potting and new growth has started. I always collect in early spring.

Kev, how about rooting hormone do I need to use them? To help send out new roots.

No, collect as much firous root as you can when digging and make sure that they don't dry out. No hormone is required. Hormone only needs to be used when cuttings etc have no roots, to encourage them to initiate new roots.

For our Mountain Hemlock and shore pine we've found that collecting in late summer (after the current years flush has hardened off) works really well and gives us a great survival rate. Out of a dozen trees I collected in the summer of 08, I only lost one. I add a slow release fertilizer [good for up to 18months - its the same one we (BC coastal forest industry)- use for our forest seedlings (which are planted in spring and late summer)] and that combined with the Seasoil/perlite mix really works well. Generally you can see the needles change colour from the light green at collection to a deep blue/green before it settles in for the winter.
Also I've collected a few paper birch this spring and they didn't really miss a beat but then again I've read that they are pretty tough and resilient.
Cheers
G

I was wondering about a similar question regarding bone meal as a soil additive for the same reason (that being to promote rooting). Is there any value in that?

Bone meal is fine. I add bone meal to my pots spring and fall. I also add when I collect something and bare root it (which I almost always do).

Rooting hormone added to ROOTS will actually inhibit the formation of rootlets. It is to be used to force roots out of non-root plant tissue.

JimLewis wrote:Bone meal is fine. I add bone meal to my pots spring and fall. I also add when I collect something and bare root it (which I almost always do).

Rooting hormone added to ROOTS will actually inhibit the formation of rootlets. It is to be used to force roots out of non-root plant tissue.

Jim, bone meal is unavailable here. Can I use with something that has high "P"? As what I understand phosphorus helps in the development and strengthening of the roots.

As far as I know, the answer is "yes."