Topic: Indian bean tree

[Mrs Ava]

Of which I have 2 saplings.  I fear I should worry as I suspect they are going to be monsters and not suitable for planting out in the garden, so, could I grow them as a bonsai, or will they be okay and remain small in pots, or should I ask the local tree peeps if they would like a couple planted out somewhere?

[clairenpaul]

I don't know for sure EJ but they are such lovely trees I'd try gowing them in pots for a bit - they can always move on if they do turn out to be monsters  :)

[lilylover]

Hi EJ
I've put mine in a large pot for that very reason. Only got a small garden but couldn't resist buying it last year. Think I'm turning into a tree hugger  8) got 5 types in pots so far.  ;D

[Marley Farley]

 :) You could always root prune every other year or so depending on their growth speed then you could carry on using the same container  ??? :)  sort of Bonsie  ??? ???

[Mrs Ava]

Good-oh.  Have been informed that they do turn into monsters, but as they have such stunning leaves, they will make attractive bonsai specimens.  Am going to try in bigger pots though, rather then the little ones.  Better start swotting up!

Must stop trying to grown anything and everything from seed! Nah.!!!!!

[Andy H]

Pots will definately restrict growth of monsters.
Becky has just come home with pots >:(
Must be a hint for keeping my things in like Iron bamboo,Giant bamboo,chilean wine palm,urn gum,blue bean thing(another month in fridge for that one),med fan palm,cotton,cabbage palm...

And I am STUPID cos you cant eat them :-\

But I like them(if they work) :D

[undercarriage plan]

Hi EJ, long time no chat! Back from hols.  Anyway,I thought the indian bean tree could be grown 2 ways-  Left to its own devices, or coppiced which makes it produce less flowers, but much bigger leaves. I'm pretty certain, but live far enough away in case I've got it wrong.....!  Lottie  ;D

[Andy H]

UP remind me again about coppicing? get it confused with pollarding and then forget both :(

[Robert_Brenchley]

Goppicing involves cutting it down to ground level; it's a traditional way of growing poles, and managing hedges. Pollarding involves cutting the trunk off around head height. Almost all the willows along the Thames when I was a kid were pollarded, but I'm not sure what they had been used for.

[undercarriage plan]

Cricket bats? Lottie

[Robert_Brenchley]

Cricket bats are a specific type of willow; I forget which but I don't think it's the ordinary crack willow.