Leptospermum laevigatum

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

An L. laevigatum (Coastal Tea Tree) from seed by me about 10 years ago. For 9 years it was in a 4" pot and for the last 5 years it was in a tray on the ground and its roots got into the ground. About 1 1/2 years ago it was lifted and roots chopped; then trunk and the only low branch or secondary trunk was also chopped to encourage back budding. It was potted in to the current pot last September.

Photos as it was before commencing.

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I commenced working on it yesterday and got this far.

Partially wired Front.JPG

Partially wired Left side.JPG

Partially wired Back.JPG

Partially wired Right side.JPG

[Grant Bowie]

I began by thoughtfully removing the branches I knew I did not want but left plenty to play with; and tried to leave branches with interesting bends and unexpected direction changes etc.

Lowest branch first and then moved up the tree. There is a very funny/awkward area at the top where two branches cross and go in different directions but I decided to keep them both.

I also tip pruned everything to encourage back budding wherever possible; possibly over the next few months it will put out some new growth.

Next step is to start placing the branches and foliage which are all wired right out to the tips.

Mostly wired.JPG

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

9F3.JPG

10F4.JPG

11F5.JPG

I felt the first branch on the left hand side was the most important branch that would set the tone for the tree in terms of compactness, direction and height so I have placed this area first into position.

The rest will follow; probably tomorrow.

grant

[eddieperth]

Great stuff Grant! I've got one of these only 3 years old...still in the ground, but have high hopes for it. You've inspired me on!

[Boics]

This tree just wants to go windswept if you ask me..
Roots and tree is asking for it!

I've taken the liberty to portray my thoughts in a virt..
Hope you don't mind.
Interested to see what you do with this one Grant.

I'd also like for you to make some notes re. your latest thoughts about care for this species.
Ie.
Repot.
Root prune.
Feeding.
Ability to back bud.

There's a few differing views out there.
I've also got one of these guys brewing on the bench and personally I just love this species.

Cheers,

[Grant Bowie]

This tree just wants to go windswept if you ask me..
Roots and tree is asking for it!

I've taken the liberty to portray my thoughts in a virt..
Hope you don't mind.
Interested to see what you do with this one Grant.

I'd also like for you to make some notes re. your latest thoughts about care for this species.
Ie.
Repot.
Root prune.
Feeding.
Ability to back bud.

There's a few differing views out there.
I've also got one of these guys brewing on the bench and personally I just love this species.

Cheers,

Repot October November into early December or Late February into March and early April; however this species is not particularly touchy and could be done over a broader spread.
Root prune can be fairly hard if needed but just normal.
Feeding as per all bonsai; no particular Native needs. I use Osmocote in the mix and liquid feed as per usual.
Back Budding. By observation and just as a guide I would say that it will not bud back easily or reliably on old(say 10 years or older) barked up wood but will bud back reliably progressively better on the younger the wood. I will trim back to bare wood at the apex of the tree for instance. This tree was created by a trunk and branch chop when about 8 or 9 years old and it did bud back OK in that situation but mostly at the cut points.

Grant

[Neli]

I love the movement on the tree Grant...even the wind swept one...Lovely!

[Grant Bowie]

Hi all,

pretty much finished as far as I can go at the moment, except for some minor fiddling.

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I have put lots of curves into the tree and will allow to grow and then break foliage into separate areas; not pads as such though.

Not really wind swept either. left side is compact and forced against trunk whereas the right hand side shows lots of turbulence.

Top left side left bare on purpose.

Grant

[Neli]

Grant it looks very promising. Job well done!

[JR_J]

Well done Grant,
Love everything about it, including the Lorraine Simpson pot - great match.
I've got both at home and with your inspiring …. I’m on it!
Cheers,
Rudi

[Grant Bowie]

hi all,

I was asked by Pm if this species buds back and the answer would be yes but erratically in my experience.

As usual the older the wood the less likely to bud back and the harder you would need to cut to encourage it to bud back.

I chopped back another 3 of this vintage at the same time and one only budded back on the trunk at the top of the cut; all lower branches that were cut back did not bud. The others varied.

Feed well and cut back in November or so up till February would be the best to get some back budding.

It will grow freely form where the leaves are still attached so best to keep on top of it rather than leaving it too many years.

Grant

[Steven]

Great progression thread Grant. Very informative and educational.

Will you get flowers on this one without having to loose the shape too much?

Regards,
Steven

[Ray M]

Hi Grant,
Thanks very much for this info. This is very useful. Much appreciated.

Regards Ray

[Grant Bowie]

Great progression thread Grant. Very informative and educational.

Will you get flowers on this one without having to loose the shape too much?

Regards,
Steven

Hi Steven,

I haven't had flowers on this species as bonsai yet; however the new L lanigerum (Wooly bud Tea tree) at the collection flowered this year.

grant

[Grant Bowie]

M styphelioides and laevigatum.JPG

L laevigatum x 2.JPG

Hi all,

here are four similar plant from the same seed batch about 10 years ago; still in 4" or 100mm pots.

They were lifted and chopped back at the same time with varying results. The Melaleuca has budded back low whereas the leptos have budded erratically.