This is my second Genista lydia – Lydia Woadwaxen (Common Name: Broom) Bonsai tree. I have been trying to protect and baby this tree for several years now. I love trying to make a Bonsai tree out of a species that is not normally used for Bonsai. My first attempt was going great until I missed watering it in the spring before moving it outside. These nursery trees love water and will quickly die if they do not get lots of water, I do mean lots of water. No worries about over watering them either. This tree was doing really well and I went to water it only to find it hanging on to the pot with a couple of roots. Some stupid squirrel (2019) had attacked the roots, I should say most of the roots except a couple of them. The neighbor was feeding the squirrels and they were dining on my trees and accent plants, lots of them. I started screaming as loud as I could about the squirrels. The guy finally comes out of his house and I let him have it. I took the tree into the garage and wired it securely to the pot so it could not move. Filled the holes back in with soil and hoped for the best. I was shocked to the see recover and started growing again. The tree was put outside in 2020 and watered and fertilized heavy and put on a lot new growth. This tree will now be a clip and grow tree. It did flower in 2020 and looked great. The tree is still securely wired to the pot and I think I will wait another two years for the roots to recover more. I have not tried to do anything with the foliage since the attack by the squirrels. I just cut off the dead tips, this species does have some tip die back which is normal of the treee. I have three more of these types of trees. Two very small ones and a huge one with a very thick trunk and very tall.
I highly recommend Broom bushes/trees.
Gallery 05-27-2020:
Gallery 04-29-2020:
Gallery 04-28-2020:
