Hello,it's time to put a Ukigomo graft outside...(actually one of two winter grafts that have taken 4months to wake up!)I have read that Ukigomo may take a year or two to show any variegation,so I would like to put in a fair amount of sun to get some growth into it. Do you think this would be ok for this first season,or do you think there's a risk of ruining any future chance of variegation by doing this?The parent plant just gets morning sun.....thanks
i am not an expert but if your looking for more white you need to place in more shade, mine is in partial shade and is very happy, slow grower
Thanks for replying,yes the parent is in reduced sun for the reasons you mentioned,just wondered if I could place this graft for it's first season in more sun. However I've just noticed it's produced a couple of enormous leaves,bigger than any on the parent,so I think I will err on the side of caution and as you say,keep it shaded..thanks
i cant remember if those leaves need to be pinched or not, some will revert the next year such as the ones on my higasayama. (i take it your talking about the larger green ones?)
Good point,yes they are the large green type leaves,however they are also only the 2nd pair of leaves on the plant.I will see how the subsequent growth appears,see if it settles down as I'm reluctant to remove the only growth it has at this stage.....many thanks,gonna keep a close eye on this one.
I have found that Ukigumo will sometimes have a year with little to no variegation. I have had two trees for around twenty years and this has happened three times that I recall. I do not remove the green leaves and they variegate the following year. Last year at my spring gathering in May I had visitors from up and down the east coast of the United States and we were all commenting that we did not have much variegation on Ukigumo last year. This year has been a great year for variegation. The lack of variegation last year turned out to be a benefit for me as a local nursery had three ten gallon about six to seven feet tall Ukigumos that were all green and they sold them to me for $20 each. The colors were great this year on each one of them. Be patient and I think you will be fine. Ed
Wow! I never see bargains like that,especially as it's probably my favourite JM. Interesting that you say many had a bad year for variegation.Could it be that that year had slightly more favourable weather conditions in general allowing a bit more vigour? Thanks for the reassurance,I did think that I read it takes a while to produce variegation from start.I must admit I have seen regular growth on the parent,but if subsequent growth in that stem is 'Ukigomo' then I don't remove it,I don't see it as a high risk...I put it down to a 'power surge' at that time. However if a green leaf starts to grow into a side stem with more green leaves then maybe I'd remove it... but I agree,it's a bit early to start worrying about this little chap before it's found it's feet...cheers Ed
for what it is worth my ukigumo has been all green in relatively deep shade for the last two years. I would move it but outside of coloration (I understand that's a big "outside") it is really thriving and I would have no idea where to move it that would produce better coloration. I guess that's the trade off? better vigor = less/no variegation?
Yes,that would appear to be the general concensus of opinion.I suppose we're all a bit selfish in a way,depriving these 'sick?' plants of ideal growing conditions,to keep the variegations,thin leaves on linearilobums etc.,perhaps even letting them scald slightly to get some colours.I guess it's only natural the plant should try to 'heal' itself. As you say there's probably little else you can do to regain your 'floating clouds' if it's already shaded.I'm not sure even putting it in poor soil would be a good idea?...but I'm sure the tree has never been happier! Hope the colours return for you one day:)
