Black Pussy Willow - Salix Gracilistyla 'Melanostachys - Bonsai

Black Pussy Willow Bonsai - Salix Gracilistyla 'Melanostachys'

I was at Flower World in Monroe, when I came across this neglected black pussy willow. It has one of the nicest trunks I've seen and figured it would be interesting to try and turn it into a bonsai.

I did some major pruning and saved the cuttings. As willows root very easily. I'm a sucker for propagating plants.

There were some pretty major tap roots that I had to contend with but they came off with a few minutes of sawing.

The large cuts were covered with cut paste to heal the wound.

I may hack some more of the larger branches or air layer as the plant begins to flush out it's leaves. I'm not totally in love with the large branch on the right. We'll see.

Magnolia Bonsai Progression

I've been spending alot of time stalking local nurseries for Bonsai material. I found this Magnolia at the West Seattle nursery.

I liked the dual trunks and sexy curves on it.

2/17/19 - Here it is initially.

After some major branch selection and wiring.

Here's the plant in it's new pot. The moss came from my lawn embarrassingly. The north side of the lawn gets over run with moss.

4/22/19 - I didn't think I would get any flowers this year after all that chopping but the plant managed to give me one bud in April.

4/25/19

Puts a smile on my face to see it alive and healthy.

August:

I'm getting second bloom

8/10/19

Fig Tasting: Cul' D'Asse

Cul' D'Asse Fig

I bought this fig last yr on May 2017 because of the photos I saw of how big the was.

 

https://seattlegardenfruit.blogspot.com/2017/05/cul-dasse-fig.html

Well i took this fig in for the winter and grew it in my grow tent.



I had several plants in the tent under a CWH light.

https://seattlegardenfruit.blogspot.com/2018/11/a-new-toy-to-brighten-up-winter-blues.html

My wife wondered why our electric bill was $100/mo higher. I said hmm weird must be colder than usual this winter and the heater must be working harder.  ;)

The plant was brought in in Dec and brought out in March.  So about $300 in electricity later, one of the Brebas have ripened.


Here on 4/29/19. One of the brebas have ripened. It is a far cry from what was in the photo though.

The skin was quite leathery. Perhaps due to the move from a grow tent to full sun. It was also much smaller than advertised. Probably no more than 40grams.

Here you can see some leaf burn from grow tent to full sun.

Overall I was slightly indifferent about the fig, since it wasn't sun ripened. the skin was inedible and the texture was a bit dry. The flavor was very figgy and concentrated like jam though. Nolan seemed to like it. And it was nice to eat a fig in April.

The plus is that it does seem like a productive variety and time will tell if the other figs on the tree will reveal it's true standard.