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Pruning a Japanese maple

June 16, 2013 by John Schulz

Pruning a Japanese Maple

Japanese maples are special and as such they require special treatment.  They are such cute little trees when we plant them but after a while they get much larger.  It is a matter of personal preference as to whether the tree looks better in its natural state or whether it is more desirable to prune it.  I am generally of the latter opinion. Using modified bonsai techniques on a Japanese maple in its developmental stages makes for a beautiful, well shaped specimen when the tree gets larger. Here is a picture of a tree that I have neglected for a while:

Japanese maple needs shape and definition. Time to prune

Japanese maple needs shape and definition. Time to prune

A wise old bonsai expert told me long ago that, “One should prune and shape the tree so that a bird can fly through it.” I try to follow that advice and I find it to be helpful for the overall long term health of the tree as well as from a design standpoint.

Looking at a Japanese maple trunk

I want to see the trunk

The trunk of the maple tree is usually very nice and I would like to see a bit of it on this specimen.  I look into the canopy and study the tree to see what should be removed.  All cuts are made carefully and followed by standing back to study the next move.

There are some larger limbs that I will remove to open up the tree canopy. These cuts are made one at the time.

Removing limbs to open up the canopy of the Japanese maple and to accentuate the trunk

Removing limbs to open up the canopy of the Japanese maple and to accentuate the trunk

A lot of small new growth needs to be removed.  Removing these will further open up the view of the trunk and the path of the bird.  It will also allow the trunk to gain strength by not having to share nutrients with the weak new growth.  Some of these twigs will be cut off and others will be just snapped off with a downward jerk.

removing small growth inside the maple canopy

removing small growth inside the maple canopy

When the thinning process is completed, I go through and carefully cut tips from the outer reaches of the tree.  This will encourage branching and a degree of miniaturization.  At this point the job is finished.

The pruned Japanese maple looks like this:

A well pruned Japanese maple

A well pruned Japanese maple

I have a story that lets you know when the job is finished.

My good friend and client, Betty, has about twenty Japanese maples in her yard.  I have been pruning and shaping them over a period of twenty five years.  One time I was shaping one of the trees and a visitor asked, “How do you know when you have cut enough?”

I thought for a few moments and answered, “I keep cutting until Betty is rolling in the driveway screaming. Then I know I have cut enough.”

Here are some related articles:

Creating a topiary,
http://johntheplantman.com/2012/02/26/plant-in-the-wrong-place-make-a-topiary/

Tree forming,
http://johntheplantman.com/2011/08/14/tree-forming-landscaping-from-the-inside-out/

The basics of pruning
http://johntheplantman.com/2010/01/09/pruning-as-an-art-form-the-basics/

Want me to prune your Japanese maple? Contact me at wherdepony@bellsouth.net

Posted in bonsai, garden techniques, pruning, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Foundation planting with containers

June 9, 2013 by John Schulz

 

Today’s article is about what I call a “Barbie Doll Garden.”  Here’s the story:

One of my favorite clients for a number of years is very easy to please as long as she gets ­exactly what she wants.  The problem is that I sometimes have to get really creative to reach that goal.  I spent a lot of time trying to get the entrance planting just right but she kept asking me to move this or change that.  Finally, in order to make the moving and changing easier, I got some nice clay pots and created a garden that can be moved around and changed easily.  I got tickled when I figured out that it was kind of like playing with a doll house and being able to change things easily and at will.

Containers in foundation planting for easy maintenance and change
Containers in foundation planting for easy maintenance and change

The planting is divided into three sections.  In this one by the drive, we installed a fieldstone border and added pea gravel for the “floor.  We set containers where we thought they should go and planted a combination of evergreen and flowering plants. The plants have been pruned to shape using bonsai techniques. Whenever Betty decides that something doesn’t look right, we can move it, prune it, or change the plant out for another one.  The next picture shows the end of the planting area which is framed with an arborvitae in a cast iron urn

containers in the foundation planting. Not the urn framing the end.
containers in the foundation planting. Note the urn framing the end.

The second section takes in a porch by the drive and curves around the corner to the main entrance.  I like the way pots of impatiens and caladiums flash their colors from an area behind the autumn ferns. We are able to move the accent plants around to get the placement just right.  As they say on the infomercials, “It really, really works.”

Containers of impatiens behind autumn ferns
Containers of impatiens behind autumn ferns

Permanent plantings of well shaped lorapetalum and dwarf nandina give a background for a bed of containers on the house side of the walkway to the front entrance.  We chose a combination of variegated cypress, dwarf procumbens juniper, dwarf yaupon, and frost proof gardenia for the perennial evergreens.  The bed is bordered with rock and has been filled and leveled with compost and cypress mulch for stability and levelling

cypress chips, rocks, and containers with shaped evergreens
cypress chips, rocks, and containers with shaped evergreens

We also left room to plant flowers.  I love the dragon wing begonias.  These are the most dependable begonias I ever worked with.  They can be used as bedding plants or in containers.  The begonias are replaced with pansies for the winter garden.

Bedding plants form a nice frame for the containerized evergreens. I love the gardenia bloom
Bedding plants form a nice frame for the containerized evergreens. I love the gardenia bloom

To add balance for the planting at the end of the walkway, we added one more small bed around the cast iron horse head.  I selected three upright junipers and pruned them into an interesting topiary.  These plants will never be finished.  I have a picture in my head of each of the limbs having a flat top with rounded edges.  The final picture will take years.

Three carefully shaped topiaries in containers anchor the end of the stone walkway
Three carefully shaped topiaries in containers anchor the end of the stone walkway

To add color, I found a large dragon wing hanging basket and planted it in this terra cotta pot.  The plant had been root bound in the basket and it almost exploded when it received room for its roots and a goodly dose of liquid fertilizer.

Dragon wing begonia and procumbuns juniper in separate containers
Dragon wing begonia and procumbuns juniper in separate containers

I really like this garden.  I like the way it looks and I like the fact that when something doesn’t look right I can move it or easily change it.  When some of the plants become root bound or out of shape I can plant them in the yard and replace them with new ones.  I am planning to renovate my new wife’s back yard and I think that we will use the “Barbie Doll” concept for at least one or two sections. I love the aspect of being able to modify the scope and balance by easily moving or changing a plant here or there.

This is also a wonderful concept for someone who finds instant gratification a bit on the slow side.

Other articles relating to this topic:

How to start a bonsai

The basics of pruning

If you would like a consultation with John Schulz, Landscape Artist, in your yard,Please contact me by email

Posted in landscape design, plants and flowers, pruning | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summertime care for Knockout Roses.

June 2, 2013 by John Schulz

Knockout Roses and summertime maintenance.

I am slowly getting over the effects of cancer treatments and hoping that I will be able to resume my johntheplantman efforts.  I have been getting lots of calls about taking care of knockout roses.  I will start my comeback by recycling this article from 2010

Over the last few years nothing has affected the color of our landscape like the Knockout rose.  Originally this rose was praised as “maintenance free” (and it is, to a point) but we have learned that there are certain tricks to getting the most out of the plant.  Read on—

Beautiful flowers on a Knockout rose, but the spring flush is starting to fade.
Beautiful flowers on a Knockout rose, but the spring flush is starting to fade.

After over 30 years as a landscaper and plant grower, I have learned that there is no such thing as “no maintenance”, only “low maintenance.” The Knockout rose is definitely in the low maintenance category.  After the first beautiful flush of bloom, the plant begins to fade.  This is because the first blooms have been pollinated and the plant is busy with its inherited job of making seeds.  This shows up as dead blooms and an overall dropping of the early spring petals.

The seed pods develop and the petals fall.
The seed pods develop and the petals fall.

Here’s what is going on.  The flowers have been pollinated and are in the process of making seed pods.  There is a chemical produced in the plant that slows down the next blooms so that the seed pods can mature.  In order to fool the plant that it needs to make more flowers, the seed pods must be removed.  This is called “deadheading.” All serious flower growers know about deadheading and I talked to Judy about her Knockout roses the other day about it.  Judy said that cutting off each spent bloom took a lot of time and trouble.  It started me thinking about the best way to accomplish the job. My feeling on the deadheading job on the roses (and the way I do it on the job) is to combine the job of deadheading and cosmetic pruning into one operation.  I start by looking down into the plant to isolate the stems which have mostly spent blooms.

Look inside the plant to isolate the stems with spent blooms
Look inside the plant to isolate the stems with spent blooms

In performing my task, I am trying to promote new growth and more flowers.  I want to be careful to leave any new growth which looks like this:

Careful pruning and deadheading will produce new growth like this--with lots of flowers.
Careful pruning and deadheading will produce new growth like this–with lots of flowers.

If I reach inside the plant and cut the stem (directly above a new leaf node) I can not only get the plant deadheaded in less time but also cause the stem to branch out and make even more flowers than before.  You may read about some of the principles of pruning in this article on “how to prune a jade plant.”  The principle is the same. I carefully cut a stem in a manner that performs two tasks.  Here is what I cut.

deadheading and pruning the Knockout rose at the same time.
deadheading and pruning the Knockout rose at the same time.

After this cutting, the old stem will branch out and form new growth which will develop more flowers and will, again, look like this:

New growth on the Knockout rose
New growth on the Knockout rose

The process is really rather simple and you probably won’t mess up.  You can cut the stem short and get more branching at the top of the plant or you may wish to take out a larger cutting which will let more light inside the plant and increase the later flowering even more. You may wish to try deadheading on all of your flowers, especially marigolds and petunias. It does make a difference in the number of flowers you will get. An application of a high phosphorous plant food or fertilizer will also help the plant to flourish and produce even more flowers.  Maybe use something with an analysis of 15-30-15 or a similar ratio.  Liquid feeds are fine and it doesn’t hurt to pour it all over the leaves as well as around the roots.  The upside for liquid is that it works faster.  The downside is that it doesn’t last as long. Time release fertilizers such as Shake ‘n Feed or Osmocote will work well and last the entire season.  You need to scratch these into the soil or pour them into a small trench around the plant for full effect.

Time release fertilizers break down slowly and feed for the entire season
Time release fertilizers break down slowly and feed for the entire season

You may wish to read my article on fertilizer here. and another article on pruning Knockout roses

Every now and then you may get fungus on the roses, and sometimes aphids will set in.  I suggest a combination fungicide/insecticide which you can purchase at any good nursery   .

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments »

Update on “Country Formal Cutting Garden”

March 31, 2013 by John Schulz

I had a chance to visit the Todino’s cutting garden this week.  The tulips were showing of. If you saw the earlier article, I showed the varieties and the planting method for colors and for early, mid season, and late blooming.  That article is here:

Image

A couple of weeks before the above picture was taken, Dekie and I stopped by and planted some snapdragons that will fill in after the tulips.  I had found some rather nice plants at Lowe’s

Image

Here’s a picture of Dekie helping with the planting. I’m still suffering mobility issues because of the cancer treatments. I don’t know what I would do without Sweetie and her wonderful helpful attitude.  

Image

I’m liking the way the overall garden is looking these days.  I plan to plant several colors of coneflower in the center of the bed for summer bloom and a few dahlias for fall.  We’ll see. It is a wonderful experiment, though.  I really don’t think I can mess up.

Image

 

Do you have suggestions for a cutting garden? 

Progress report, I only have two more radiation treatments after today.  Yay for that.

Thanks for visiting Johntheplantman.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

Final Chemo Treatment at Emory!

March 27, 2013 by John Schulz

The big news is the final chemo infusion is done over with!!!!!!!

When we saw that the little electronic pump that feeds the evil liquid into my veins was empty and that the drip infusion was done, we did a thumbs up and everyone in the bay who had been sharing stories were happy for me.  I got tears in my eyes and didn’t even try to hide them with masculinity. It was emotional.  I’m getting the tears back as I write this.  What a trip that was—7 several hour chemical treatments sandwiched in with 35 radiation treatments.
ringing the bell at the end of my seven chemo sessions at Emory Winship Cancer Center, Atlanta

ringing the bell at the end of my seven chemo sessions at Emory Winship Cancer Center, Atlanta

Then I rang the bell and, as Billy would of said, “They stand and ‘plauded’”
Now I only have 4 more radiation treatments. That will be a piece of cake. I look for some taste to return within the next month and to take 3 months to a year to return fully (according to the people in the chemo bay).
A man and his wife were telling their tales today in the chemo bay and it seems that they had both had bad cancer problems at the same time. He had a bone marrow thing and she had a problem with her spine.  He said, “We would come in for treatment together–”I’d push her halfway in the wheel chair and then we would switch places.” That brings tears to my eyes even now.  It was an emotional day.  Sweetie drove, of course, as i told you, “Sweetie drives on chemo days”
My friend Randy Eidson will drive me tomorrow morning. I guess sweetie and I will share the driving on Friday, and Bob Hicks will take care of the Monday detail.  Sweetie wants to drive for my penultimate radiation treatment on april 2.  I’m looking to sleep late on April 3.  Maybe even until 6 or so.
My weight was down to 176.  I’m sure it will go down a few more pounds before the chemo goes away, but my ideal weight is 170 and I had gained up to 185 before starting the treatments, so I think I will be just fine.  I don’t want to be fat.
All in all, unless something unexpected happens, I have gotten out of this thing with effects much lighter than I expected.  I have not used the feeding tube yet to everyone’s amazement and, you know me, I am stubborn enough to be bound and determined to not have to use it at all.  If you didn’t know me pretty well you wouldn’t be getting this here letter.
I guess that’s all for now.  The tumors have gone the way of the chemo treatments.  Outa here.  I can’t feel them any more and they were most prominent and growing a couple of months ago.  My neck is red and burnt from the radiation, but that too shall pass. That reminds me, constipation is also a side effect but I’ve found a wonderful new item called Phillips Milk of Magnesia. (joke). It really works, just like when I was a kid.
I heard that I could mix it with vodka and have a Phillips screwdriver. Hehe, just had to leave you with that.
I love you, all of you
john.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments »

Joel’s Garden Progress for the End of February

February 24, 2013 by John Schulz

Planting an early spring vegetable garden

Joel’s Garden, 2/24/13
I hadn’t been to visit Joel and his garden for a couple of weeks and I got to wondering what all was going on.  I have now been around Joel enough to know that he will spend some morning time in his garden if it is at all possible. His dedication is amazing.
I knew I would miss him because I had to go to Atlanta that morning and he works in the clinic most afternoons, but I went on and took the liberty of walking through the garden by myself.  I’m a good snooper.
The first thing I saw was a number of seed rows.  Joel has his method for planting seeds.  He prepares a row and carefully sprinkles the seeds in a row. Then he mixes mushroom compost and peat moss together. He spreads the peat and compost mix over the seeds and waters them in.  It looks like a good method. Actually, it works so it is a good method.
Image
And I saw rows and rows of onions.  I know the plants are difficult to see in the picture, but I will take more photos as time goes by.
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I sent Joel an email telling him I had been there and asking him for a bit of information on his week’s labors. He wrote the following”
“ I planted 4 new rows, only one spinach. The others were 2 of lettuce and one carrot. I had more room and planned 4 or 5 more rows, but I ran out of steam. Last week I did a long row of snow peas. In the past I have not had much luck with them. I think it gets too warm too quickly here.
Just for your records, and to be accurate, the varieties of onions are as follows: Texas Legend, 1015 Texas Supersweet, Southern Belle Red, Yellow Granex, White Bermuda Crystal Wax, Candy, Red Candy Apple and Cippolini. And yes, that is way too many for us, but we enjoy the variety, and sharing with friends. There is also a row of Leeks. “
I liked my way of finding out what kinds of onion sets were planted. I had walked over by the wood pile and stumbled upon the shipping box for the onion sets.  It came from somewhere in Texas.  If you want to know exactly where they came from, leave a comment and I’ll find out.
 Image
I am enjoying exploring the mysteries of an early spring garden. It adds dimension. Stay in touch.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

Joel’s Garden–planting onions Jan. 31

February 3, 2013 by John Schulz

Joel is the most dedicated vegetable gardener I ever met.  He is in the garden working almost every morning.  I am going to make him a periodic feature of this site by keeping a log of what I see him doing as the year progresses.

I’ve been having some medical concerns that have taken up quite a bit of time and have not been able to give this site my usual dynamic endeavors.
The garden is rather large, I would guess at least a hundred feet square, and it is surrounded by a 9 foot high wire fence to keep out the deer.  The last week in January, Joel asked me if I could build him a two part gate in the side of the wire fence.  He wanted something more convenient to the house and he wanted to be able to either walk in or to drive his tractor in. So I built side by side gates.  I took enough pictures for a gate tutorial and I will publish that later.  Here’s the gate:
A two part gate, one part to walk through, the other part to drive through.

A two part gate, one part to walk through, the other part to drive through.

Joel has been working on his dirt for years. He is a great lover of organic matter and he believes in adding it as often as he can. He also grows green manure cover crops in portions of the garden that he is not using at one time or another and then tilling these crops in.
To give an indication of the effectiveness of this organic addition process, We had torrential rains on Jan. 30 and I visited Joel on the 31st only to find him planting onions. I think a normal garden would have been way too muddy.
Joel had been waiting for days on his onion set shipment. He finally got the granex onions which he explained were the variety used to grow the popular Vidalia onions.  Joel is in his 70s but gardening keeps him young.  He started out working, laid out the sets, and had them planted in no time.  He mentioned something about needing to build him a root cellar one day.
Planting onions on a cold blustery day in North Georgia, Jan. 31

Planting onions on a cold blustery day in North Georgia, Jan. 31

Joel said that he had red onions and some other kinds coming.  I’ll let you know what he does next.
The next thing I will be working on at the garden site will be to develop a six foot weed free border on the fence line that will make the transition from grass to garden a lot nicer, to lessen mowing maintenance, and to make room for flowers and collectibles.  I will also do an entrance planting for the new gate. I love ongoing projects.
Thanks for visiting Johntheplantman. These articles are sponsored by my books, Requiem for a Redneck and Redemption for a Redneck. To read about Johntheplantman and the rednecks, CLICK HERE
If you want a consultation in your yard in N.W. Georgia, send me an email at wherdepony@bellsouth.net

Posted in garden techniques, plant and garden how to, raised vegetable garden, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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