Is this normal behaviour?

12 years ago

Hello, I noticed a weird behaviour on my Picea abies 'Inversa'. The first image is from the end of July. New growth was already hardened way back. Next image is from past weekend, two months later. Please take a look at the branches of my 'Inversa' and especially the upper-left branch. I'm wondering if such movement is normal. Nevertheless I enjoy this new look very much! As Will said, a monster in the making!

I've seen my cedars showing intense movement in their branches from month to month but picea doing this?

Also, noticed that in my 'Ogon' as well but there were other reasons for that. Early August I lost the top 4 inches of my leader due to strong winds. There were 3 buds at the cut point and I thought, one or more of these will make a new leader. But none of them did so! Instead, the upper branch (orange arrow) started bending upwards and although it was at 90 d. angle from the main trunk, now it is at almost parallel to the trunk! You can see in images 2 and 3. In image 3 I've already cut the old leader remains (used them as a cutting) and the wire I used doesn't put a force on the branch at all. Just safety for winds. The branch was never stucked and after a month turned almost 90 degrees by itself to form the new leader.

So I'am asking. Is this (both cases) normal? Sure is amazing!

Fotis

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Comments (7)

coniferjoy
12 years ago
Hi Fotis!
The 'Inversa' first pic is showing us that you staked the wrong leader, it's just a side branch.
The second pic shows us that the right leader is going upwards...

The 'Ogon' helped itselve out when he is losing it's original leader.
This is a typical thing for every Metasequoia cultivar with an upright habit.

I like the nice colours in your garden!
fotisr
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you Edwin! Means a lot coming from you!

The 'Inversa' had a leader that got damaged during shiping so after two weeks it was brown. I had to choose between two equal branches. I chose the one being on the fuller side of the plant (so as to leave a less bare spot) and the one that had better bud arrangement for future growth.
But what seems strange is that the branch going upwards is a two year old branch with hardened growth. Shouldn't it start going upwards to be a leader in spring, with the expansion of the buds?
Which brings the question: what kind of intelligence lies within conifers to make them do that? it can't be only physics-gravity...
And then, isn't 'Inversa' a pendulus form that needs staking for height? why bother replace a leader, so fast? new growth should be easier to bend upwards...

Just thoughts.
Fotis

ps. check your nursery email. interesting stuff!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
what kind of intelligence lies within conifers

==>> one might think it is more hormonal.. rather than intelligence ...

joy .. what can he do to change it??? .. snip the bud on the left growing one???? .... to perhaps cut/change its dominant inclinations???

surely it is too late to force the trained one down.. and bring the other up???

or just let it sort itself out???

ken
coniferjoy
12 years ago
Ken, the only thing he can do is to cut the "hanging leader" so the one which is staked will be forced to be the "new leader".
Several times I have the same situation here at my nursery but with some cutting work there's always a happy end :0)

On the other hand the "steaked leader" can be cut off and the stake can be removed.
In this situation a specimen with a strange habit will arise.
If there's plenty of room, I would choose for the last situation.

Fotis, normaly spoken the 'Inversa' must always be staked till the height you wanted it to grow because it's leader always wanted to going down.
But somethimes here at my nursery I come across situations with 'Inversa' plants which grows up by themselves with a strong leader.
This sounds strange but it has something to do with the scions which were used for grafting.
This counts for a lot of conifers with a weeping habit, some must be staked for live and others will grow straight to the sky...
maple_grove_gw
12 years ago
This is an interesting conversation. I think that maybe the same thing has happened to my 'Pendula Bruns'. I have posted the link below to a previous post with a picture of it. Do you think this situation applies here? If so, should I pick one (leader or pseudoleader) and remove the other?

Thanks for your help,

Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: pendula bruns post
coniferjoy
12 years ago
Alex, because of your limited space I would cut of the lower leader sow your upright leader can grow happy upright by itselve, straight to the sky :0)
fotisr
Original Author
12 years ago
But Ken, hormones, proteins, nucleotides are all expressions of our intelligence. They are the means, the way that things get done, after our "intelligence" makes a decision. Only the knowledge that the leader is gone, byitself is impressive. So is the fact that actions were made instantly (and not the following growing season) and makes this way more impressive.

Alex I really love the look on your P.o Pendula. As you can tell I'll leave the branch on to do it's thing! Not every 'Inversa' should have the same habit. I really love the different look. I'll give it all the room it wants to become a monstrous, wicked plant! Two leaders? why not?

Fotis

Is this normal behaviour?

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Is this normal behaviour?

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