Camellia as Bonsai

[Bonbon]

Seems not very common in Sydney.
Leaves too big?
Airlayer a few years ago. After seeing these, want to airlayer again.
Anyone tried or have one?

[melbrackstone]

I tried to air layer a Camellia Japonica that I planted 30 years ago, but my one try so far wasn't successful. I suspect Camellia sasanqua might be a better option since it has smaller leaves. If you know anyone up in the Blue Mtns they grow extremely well there... you might find people renovating their gardens useful.

[shibui]

Camellia adapt to bonsai very well. They tolerate root pruning and will shoot on old wood when pruned.
They are very slow to develop though and do not seem to ramify very well so it will take a long time to grow a good bonsai specimen.

[bonsaisensation]

If I remembered correctly, it was a camellia that won the prestigious Kokufu Ten few years ago. I have only started to grow some camellia Sasanqua three years ago. All were wired and bent to create interesting trunk lines. This year most of them will go into the ground to thicken. I shall report the progress in 10 years time?

Tien

[melbrackstone]

I shall report the progress in 10 years time?

Good on you Tien.