Podocarpus 'Mallsai(?)' Re-potting w/pics. Real crappy soil.

[SteveP]

Hi Guys, well, I've not posted in a while, but I do complain regularly about the sheer crapness of the soil that my Podo was having to endure. It's around 20" tall, long-leafed, and has a 4"x8"x2" pot. It's been getting unhappier and unhappier, so on other advice, as well as my own 'Christ it's unhappy' tip, I did the deed.

And I'm so happy I did. It must been have been like trying to grow kittens in a matchbox. Pot looks big enough, sure. Always had serious concerns about the clay surface. Here we go :

[img]https://www.lockipedia.co.uk/bon/PIC_0072.JPG[/img]
The Original Surface. Believe it or not, it'd been watered that day.

[img]https://www.lockipedia.co.uk/bon/PIC_0073.JPG[/img]
The bottom of the rootball. Keep looking at the soil composition. THIS HAS BEEN WATERED TODAY!

[img]https://www.lockipedia.co.uk/bon/PIC_0074.JPG[/img]
Everything on the left side is horrendous. Solid roots have managed once or twice to get through, but notice the heavily useful compost that coats the outside of the right half. Honest. Very usefull when it's just on the outside.

[img]https://www.lockipedia.co.uk/bon/PIC_0075.JPG[/img]
The nearly entirely solid rootball. Took over twenty minutes to get rid of the clay chunks, by crushing them with pliers. Then the itricate work stated here. Sadly, I was covered in junk and wet clay/soil, that I didn't pick up the camera again for a few good minutes.

[img]https://www.lockipedia.co.uk/bon/PIC_0076.JPG[/img]
The Finished Article, potted in clay cat litter. And remarkably similar to Akadama in consistentsy and colour.

The actual placement went a bit wrong, but I'm more conerned with having the tree healthy and happy for the growing season. Only my seconds attempt at doing something exactly like this, but it's done well. *touch wood*. It had essentially been growing in half the size pot, as no roots had go through the clay, apart from a couple of big ones.

Be Nice! Only a first attempt on things this specific

[Gnome]

Steve,

Overall I'd say you did a good job, ridding the plant of the poor soil can only help in the long run. My biggest concern is the nature of the Cat litter. Did you check the stability of the product? Not all of these products are created equal, be on the lookout for signs that the material is beginning to deteriorate. Are you going with an entirely inorganic mix?

If you should find yourself in a similar situation in the future try soaking the root-ball in water or using a garden hose to help loosen the compacted soil.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

Norm

[djlen]

I think the placement actually looks pretty good Steve.
You will need to keep it well watered. Mine really likes it moist and your litter will necessitate frequent watering to keep it moist. Hopefully it is not the kind of cat litter that tends to clump up over time. Keep an eye out for that.

Overall, looks like a good job.
Well done!!

[SteveP]

Hi Norm,

Thanks for the vote of confidence! It *really* was a lot more horrible that the pictures show. I don't think I've ever seen anything this bad. I'm going inorganic 100%, as I've enough time to keep on top of things. I was getting really concerned as the leaves were drooping horribly over time. Miraculously, they've perked up almost immediately

Hi Len!

Thanks! It's a little bit 'leany', but I did misjudge the wiring slightly. Still, I don't see it as a long-term job, it'll get done again this time next year, I'll see what lessons I can apply then.

And in answer to you both, it's the cat litter that Harry (Bonsai4me) recommends. I had my doubts initially, but the Podo seems pretty happy.

Seriously, Cheers Lads... makes me feel a bit better now.

[Rosaelyn]

Steve,

I'm so glad to see that you successfully got your Podocarpus repotted! Just from the last picture, it already looks very perky.

You also did a good job of photographing your progress. I totally agree that you usually get to a point where you just go "Yuck, I'm not picking up the camera again."

Now I am even more anxious for spring... I have many repotting endeavors ahead of me then. I have a few trees that I acquired late in the season and I'm looking forward to seeing what shape their root systems are in.

You have inspired me to keep the camera handy. lol