A challenge to all Aussie Bonsaiists

[kcpoole]

I would like to challenge all of us to further the use of our native trees as a Bonsai.

I think we all should go out and identify a particular Native tree or shrub you would like to develop into a bonsia.
the caveat should be that it has NOT been done as a bonsai before.

Go out and pick one of the many wonderful species we have, Get a sample or 2 and Start to care fore it and develop over time into a tree. Post the results here in your own thread so you and all of us can see the results over time

Document the process you use, Care notes, Feeding requirements, environmental Does it back bud, Does its foliage reduce, does it Repsond well to trimming, root pruning, Potting times.

Some resources you can use to find so interesting species Has a great list of Native plants)
NSW State forest nursuries http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests/busin ... /nurseries

Australian Native Plants as Bonsai
http://www.anbg.gov.au/bonsai/index.html
( there used to be a great online resource here about what plants have been done and the results. Does anyone knwo where it has gone to and a URL ?)

Lets get some more wonderful Natives happening as a bonsai

Ken

[Pup]

Onya Ken one problem how do we at the moment know what are being done?
I think what you are asking is recorded with Australian plants as Bonsai with the Club that I believe Fly and Brett are members of.
I posted one, the other day, and I was told, that they thought they were the only one doing Calothamnus.
I have 18 different species of Melaleuca. How many by other growers. So let us all get behind Ken on this one and see what we can come up with as a list of tree's we are working on. So we can get a definitive list.
Now I have said this I will have to get my act together to do mine which will be done tomorrow. Yes tomorrow does come in the west.

Pup

[Jarrod]

Got a head start on you Ken.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=244&p=1920&hilit=jezz#p1920
Here is one I prepared earlier. Update soon.

[kcpoole]

Sweet Jezz and that is the thing I am getting at

Yes pup I was hoping either brett and Fly will either post that link, or post the listing here . As fara s I can tell, that is the definitive list, but if no longer available then maybe we can use stevens list on this site here viewforum.php?f=6 ps we should be updating this anyway as would be a great way to keep track of our trees

Steven. If our members here come up with a tree not in this section, Then how do we get it added?
First up will be my test species' Neither are on the list here
Melaleuca Decussata. - Cross leaf Honey Myrtle
Eucalyptus Parramattensis - Parramatta Red gum
Eucalyptus Sideroxylon Rosea - Pink flowering Ironbark
Acacia Howittii - Upright form
Acacia Howittii - Cascading form

Ken

[techpetal]

This is a classic Wiki thread!...WIKI WIKI WIKI

[Webos]

Another idea, how about we encourage EVERYONE on Ausbonsai to go out and buy seedlings of particular varieties which are not well known in Aussie or World bonsai circles but are readily available, and post results each season...

Lets say 5 people from each state get one particular variety so we not only get info on each tree, but see results of how they go in different zones.

[Japh]

I'm going to be getting a Tasmanian Native soon, I hope (in about a month). It certainly won't be a first I don't reckon, but it will be a native.

Once I have a better handle on bonsai though, I'd love to do some tests on a never-before-tried Tasmanian Native

I'll have to talk to Will about it whenever I finally get to meet him.

[Japh]

This is a classic Wiki thread!...WIKI WIKI WIKI

That's so true. This is exactly the sort of thing where each person who participates also contributes/starts a wiki article on the native of choice.

[Webos]

Awesome japh...lets see what you can come up with after a coupla hundred years of fattening up some huon pine seedlings!! But seriously, you guys have some great Alpine species down there...would love to see some experimentation with some of those unusual little mountain bushes from up top of Mt Field or wherever..

[kcpoole]

I believe there have been quite a few Huon pine done as bonsai and they looked verry nice too

Any one got one to show?

I am happy to get a particular tree and participate. Anything to get more Natives a bonsai.
If there is concensus then suggest get one of the specimin tree, and a different one you pick yourself

Only issue I can see is that many of our trees are not available all over.

Ken

[Joel]

Great idea guys!

Do you guys think that, as a trial, we should try to complete all the species in the "Australian Native Species Forum" here?viewforum.php?f=6 There are many species on this list with no posts next to them.

Also, people out there growing species NOT listed in this forum should upload what they know about them into it. I.E. Micromyrtus cilliata is not on that list, yet one has been displayed here as a beautiful bonsai. So if anybody on here is growing a species not on that list, please upload it with all the information you can give.

JayC

[mrbradleybradley]

Are we also talking about growing the species in a style that has not previously been attempted or been sucessful? Is there or can there be an updateable online database?

[kcpoole]

That would also be part of the challenge, To try different classical styles on our native trees to see what works or not.

ken

[Pup]

Gday all as promised it is tomorrow so here is my list of Natives. Which have all been grown in Natural style! as well as classical.
I have a total of 70 natives without counting my miniatures. So who needs another tree?!!.

Melaleucas,
M, rhaphiophylla ,M,linarifolia, M,linarifolia ( claret tops hybrid )
M, nesophila M,cuticularis M,bracteata M,lanceolata
M,lateriflora subsp M,parviflora M,incana
M,preissiana M, quinquenervia M,bracteata x golden gem,
M, bracteata x revolution M ringens M, serreata M, elliptica M,fulgens.

Banksia serrata ( bull banksia ). Leptospermum brachyandrum.
Babingtonia virgata ( formerly beakea ). Ficus rubiginosa. Ficus hillii.
Kunzea, pulchela K, baxtreii. Corymbia cittriadora ( formerly eucalyptus ). Eucalyptus ficfolia ( red flowering gum )

Callistemon viminalis,C, viminalis ( Captain cook ) C, viminalis ( little John)
Callistris preissii. Calothamnus quadrifidus. Adanathos cygnorum, A,cygnorum( x perfect pencil )
Casuarina cunninghamii.Syzygium luehmannii. Eugenia luehmannii.
That is my list of natives.

[kcpoole]

Sweet Pup
Have you documented their Requirements and Care?
If any one wants to take up the challenge, then the points below need to be noted and published. This sort of info will further our knowlege rapidly and enable any one else to cultivate the same tree with confidence of what to expect

eg
Habitat -
Watering requirements,
Temperature Tolearance,
Sun Requirements

RePotting
Time of year
Amount of roots can be removed

Pruning
Time
How much to remove
does it backbud on old wood

Flowering
Does it?
on new growth only
on old growth

Fertilizing
any special requirements?