Alder?

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

My daughter brought this back for me from around the stables that she has which i have put into a washing up bowl. Its about 2 foot tall and the top 3 inches are this years growth i think as it is green. Is it too tall and if so could i possibly prune back the top bit of growth?

http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/daddypea/?action=view&cur rent=alder.jpg

Stymie · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: Alder?

You will notice three salient things about Alder namesake. They prefer moist conditions, grow fast and have rather large leaves. The latter is probably why most writers ignore them as bonsai material. I have Alder and have been amazed at the speed at which one can grow new branches. Your baby does look leggy at the moment but if you leave it unpruned this time you will have a noticeable increase in girth very soon. When you have got a trunk to work with it will accept heavy cut backs and will bud back freely.

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

Thanks for that. I think it looks leggy because she said it was growing at the bottom of a big tree and in the shade all the time so had to struggle to see the light

imholte · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject: Re: Alder?

I dont think that is an alder. The leaves of a alder are not compound, at least around here.

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

That's why i put a question mark. My daughter said it was because someone told her it was. I've put another photo in the hope that someone can tell me what it is Very Happy

http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/daddypea/?action=view&cur rent=alder2.jpg

Stymie · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Alder?

Your nice overhead shot of the leaves leads me to assume that your daughter's informant said Elder not Alder. They sound very similar on a windy day. Laughing

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

Thanks for clearing that up for me but does the advice for my 'Alder' Rolling Eyes

apply to my Elder too?

imholte · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Alder?

That makes sense Smile

Stymie · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject: Re: Alder?

Letting it grow wild for a season still means that it should get more girth. It certainly isn't a prime specie for bonsai but if we only grow traditional stuff there is no headway. Have a go at it and we'll be here watching the progress and helping where we can.

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

You may like to know that 90 percent of the leaves died and dropped off my Elder but i now have lots of new shoots coming from it Very Happy

splendidplumage · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: Alder?

Whatever it is it needs to grow for a season.

Keep it on a big enough pot in free draining growing mix and water and feed it enough then cut it hard back before next years new growth.

Ideally you could post a picture next year early spring (February) so forum members can advise where to cut back to.

don · Yellow Belt Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Devon

Will do. Thanks for all your help all of you and as a token of my gratitude please accept this Very Happy

http://s302.photobucket.com/albums/nn101/daddypea/?action=view&cur rent=cake-8inch.jpg