Czech Yamadori

Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that stimulates root growth.   There are many brands commercially available.   And there are also numerous  natural sources of the same stuff.   For those who prefers the natural approach,  who are not bothered by some sweat and dirty hands th ere is the Nature with it s pantry full of goodies. The most common source of IBA in my region is a  willow tree.    Actually,   this tree is not  only a beautiful solitaire used for centuries in gardening or landscaping to make the embankments of lakes, rivers and ponds firmer.  It is also a source of energy for the  bees ( pollen) or humans ( biomass ).  Chewing the bark of willows has been used to reduce the fever and inflammation as the bark contains salicin that was used to develop aspirin.   The whips of willows are also important part of an Eastern seasonal activity. One of the most important Slavic symbols of Easter is a  pomlázka , a braided whip made from pussy  willow twigs.  It  has  b

In  spring 2008 I was in a woodland on the north part of Prague searching for a blackthorns.   The whole area has been covered by the bushes of all possible sizes but none of them did not make me take out my camera.  It is not a problem here to find a nicely sized trunk with cracked bark.  But there is no movement on them.  Just long straight pieces of wood without any taper. The search brought me to an old pear.   I have touched the nicely formed bark that has been developing for many years.   I was about the leave the area when I have noticed  tiny  branches  pushing their way out from the cover of fallen leaves.   I have got on my knees and my fingers cleared away the brown leaves and pieces of tiny branches.   The heart beat has accelerated and my mind was full of expectations.   There was a very small tree with remarkably old cracked bark covering  thick trunk with a small cavity.    It takes many years to develop such size of the trunk and it was most probably the local roe dee

  The broadleaved trees are very attractive in general.   Their constantly changing look moving from bare silhouette in winter, first softly green leaves or first blossoms in early spring, branches covered with dense cushions of leaves or even branches bending down under the heavy loads of fruits.  And the first cold days makes the trees to start changing the colours in the various shades of yellow and red. And then there are deciduous trees that bring even more emotions. One of them for my part is the Miharu Takizakura.  Beauty in its essence. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ojSV_vs9Hs A few years ago I discovered and collected this little beauty.    The trunk of the tree has been originally buried under the ground.  So when I first saw  the tree it has looked  more like a shrub with three basic branches.    The tree is probably too small  to create a  waterfall structure  similar to this takizakura but otherwise the structure of main branches seems to have similar appearanc

Back in 2011 I have been travelling on a highway when I have spotted reddish  blossoms on trees in the nearby forest.  On the way back  I have been actively looking for that area to see more details.   Nice reddish colour was really very attractive and it was not only the blossoms but also the red leaves that makes me to plan a visit to that area.  Originally I thought there are some red flowering cherries but at the time I have visited the spot I have realised that the trees are part of a Malus family.   The height of the trees were about 3-5 meters and I could not find anything really suitable for a collection.   Then I have decided to get closer to the highway. There was a grassy corridor  approximately 4 meters wide with some small bushes  covered with bronze leaves. More closer look  revealed nice chunky trunks with lot of dead woods caused by massive custs on the top of the trunks.   The highway maintenance workers have regularly cleared the area using the mobile clearing saws.  

I have collected this little tree in 2011.    At that time the plant looked rather like a small bush - only the top part - numerous branches growing up in different directions -  has been visible above the ground.   In 2013 I have decided to keep it as a bonsai and have started to clean the old soil.   It was only then when I have realized there is little treasure covered by the soil - a small chunky trunk.  Well it hasn´t had the typical alligator skin ( nicely cracked old bark )  but it was there.   And I am sure we can develop the propper bark texture  in the course of next years.   The potential final height should be below 20 cm.   Nov 2014

Yamadori collected in 2012 in the hilly area of central Bohemia.   First shaping has been carried out  in June 2014.  I have changed the angle of the main brach by notching it on the top and bringing it closer to the trunk by a guy wire.   The notch on the top side of the branch works better for me than the notch on the bottom.  You do not need to worry too much about the connection of the cambium and the flow of saps seems to be less disturbed.   Most of the time the callus covers the notch within 12 - 24 months.  I have also wired and shaped the branches. October 2013 November 2014 Bottom right arrow - position of the notch.  The callus has nearly closed the notch Top right arrow - problematic thickned area.  Too many braches there. Needs to be fixed. Left arrow - a stump of the branch. Will be removed and converted into shari/jin Detail of the current shari

C ollected in 2012.   First spot in winter 2010/11.  Due to the local conditions - very dry rocky terrain -  the tree has developed  a long feeding root connected to the pocket of  soil below the tree.  The majority of the roots of the main trunk has penetrate the rock base in a desperate search of scarce water supply.  A difficult pick.     In spring 2011 I have taken some soil off around of the main trunk exposing its roots.  Then the soil has been replaced by a mixture of  coarse akadama,  sphagnum moss and few doses of osmocote fertilizer.   (  I prefer to use this anorganic stuff to commercial organic ones to avoid damage by wild boars who love the taste of my organic pellets.  As the other alternative I am using  the roe deer's or hare's droppings ).        In the course of 2011 I have visited the site several times to check the conditions and mainly to bring some water supply.  The long feeding root has been gradually cut off at a reasonable distance from