Wollemia nobilis odd growth this year

[lucky1]

Flushed only on top.

Maybe it should be moist in a plastic--not clay--pot?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/6214753361/" title="DSC04998 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/621 ... 9ae604.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04998"></a>

Barb

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

The tree still looks healthy, Barb! Even though there was no flushing on the branch tips, they don't look brown either.

[lucky1]

no flushing on the branch tips, they don't look brown either

That occurred to me too.

Guess we just have to chalk it up to not understanding its 4 million year old genes.

Barb

[hardyjim]

Still looks great,maybe it just wants to go up!

[TimMAz6]

Great looking Wollemi Barb. I love these Wollemis. I hope I can get mine through another winter. I didn't get much side growth either. My top bud died since it was in contact with the top of the greenhouse/snow loads.

Here's an update as of Sept. 3, 2011. If you look close you'll see a dead branch from winter.
<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... ept333.jpg>

[lucky1]

Tim, sorry to miss your post.

I think Wollemia nobilis has a hard time holding onto a terminal leader bud.

Mine's crazy appearance has somehow evened out this year.
But again, no dominant central leader bud.

Probably an adaptation over the centuries to keep them dense, versus vertical growth typical of firs, spruce, pine.
Must've been from all those dinosaurs munching on the bud (kidding!!!! )

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/8003725884/" title="003 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/8003 ... 002fe8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="003"></a>

Your pictured damage was certainly not severe, considering it overwintered outdoors.

Barb

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Barb, that Wollemia still looks great!

[TimMAz6]

Hi Barb,

your Wollemi looks great. Mine is on a death bed from last winter. It's barely alive........no wonder these trees are nearly extinct!

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

This Wollemi is located at the Kingsbrae Botanical Garden in St. Andrews, New Brunswick. I saw it when I was delivering some plants there last season. If I remember correctly, they purchased it when the first group was made available after the rediscovery of the species.

It was around 7-8' tall when I saw it:
<img src="http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u192 ... 78678e.jpg" border=0>

[lucky1]

Oooh, Cameron, that's a nice one.
I think they'll find those roots have gone right through the pot.

Gotta get a new pot for mine too:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/12796015924/" title="003 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/1279 ... 8899_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="003"></a>

The BGs around the world sure got nice sized ones.
UBC Kelowna was, several years ago, doing some DNA tests on theirs.
I never read any results, despite having contacted Dr. what's-her-name about it.

Thanks for the pic, Cam.
Barb

[TimMAz6]

Barb......your Wollemi is getting large now! Hopefully you'll get yours to grow a few cones. How cool would that be!

Mine is getting smaller with age.......I had to trunk cut off all the cold damage and now it's in my office.

<img src=http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c309/ ... wanlit.jpg>

[lucky1]

Tim,
Glad yours is still in the land of the living.
It'll come back nicely after the damage.

I'm looking forward to the "boiling chocolate"-looking bark as well as cones.
Gotta find a new pot for it this year if I can get the roots out of this one.

Barb

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

Great shots Barb and Tim!