Re: Pruning Acacia podalyriifolia...
- Subject: Re: Pruning Acacia podalyriifolia...
- From: K* K*
- Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 21:35:59 -0800
On Wednesday, January 9, 2002, at 06:21 PM, Sean O'Hara wrote:
> Nice to see how your property is filling in!
Thanx! It filled in so much that I am starting to remove some stuff...
> Acacias tend to be a bit on the 'leaning' side regardless - they
> seldom conform to the vertical lolly-pop shape so favored by
> suburban gardeners. They always tend to have a bit of a wild look
> about them to my mind. Yours is leaning and can possibly be
> helped gradually back into a more vertical position by some
> creative tying - the 3 wires into the ground type (I can elaborate
> if you wish).
I tried to straighten it late last spring, but the wood of this
acacia is extremely stiff. Pushing all I could, I did not move it
even an inch at about 5 feet above ground. I thought about trying
a compound pulley, but was afraid of breakage...
> I would certainly head back each of the branches a bit (only a bit!)
I take it then that you would discourage more radical approach
outlined in my last email, right?
> I would also encourage you to grow this guy a bit drier.
Done already. I've read somewhere that this acacia would not
tolerate summer waterings, so it one was never watered at all,
except when I planted it. Of course, by now it probably has roots
in my neighbor's yard, and three or four other plants nearby (6+
feet away) are getting 1-2 gallons a week. However, the area where
it all grows has somewhat improved soil, not just pure clay. I
added some rice hull compost - which I was told was best for
improving drainage and would not provide too many quick-release
nutrients, given that the clay has plenty of them already. I guess
I made it too good...
BTW, Sean, did you ever manage to identify this furcraea species
you shared with me? It is somewhat different in shape and much
greener in color than F.foetida that I have growing nearby, but
otherwise quite similar.
KK
http://www.kozminski.com
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