Japanese Larch

[Marc]

hi, my 1st main post.




I have a Japanese Larch. not really bonsai due to being 6foot.

I saw it in a garden centre and thought a good buy for £15 but just needs some work done to it, but I need advise in this area.


Currently I'm watching you tube videos and reading up in the best way to prune etc to get the best foliage and bushy-ness.
with researching I came across this site and am keen to get stuck in for more knowledge



I have clipped the top off for now and trimmed back. it is still growing and had long shoots that I have cut back and still have cones.

I need to increase the branches and the foliage, aim for more downward bracnhes and avoid the xmas tree look



can you advise?


thanks



photo attached of day I bought

[tomc]

I would not do anything till next spring beyond learning how to check soil moisture with a chop-stick. Fertilize at 1/4 of directions once every two weeks in summer.

Larch buds back well, so a trunk chop in the spring is very do-able.

Larch is a deciduous tree. Needles will turn yellow and fall off in fall or drouth.

Larch is a dandy tree I think you have a good start.

Please stop pruning, needle pinching, wiring or any other grooming projects. August is too late to do this.

[Marc]

good answer, thanks


not sure how much I will cut trunk though. the mrs likes its height as hides a patch of brick work.
so maybe just a little smaller but start to shape it better. I'm tempted to go a 3rd off though


ill keep reading up and re think on 1st spring


ill repost then