[Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

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alec
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[Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

My third entry,

Melaleuca cuticularis, grown from seed about a year ago. Not much to look at yet, had a small chop so far. I've seen some really awesome ones in nature and bonsai, so hopefully I can do it justice.

Cheers,

Alec
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by Ryceman3 »

Love cuticularis... I’ll be watching. Good luck with it! :yes:
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

Cheers Ryceman! :tu: I'm a big fan too. Will need to plan a trip down south for some inspiration me thinks
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

For the April update; The cuticularis growing strong and healthy. I've had it sitting in a water tray over the summer and it will probably stay there until winter as well. Its been given a regular liquid feed of charlie carp and powerfeed, interchanging each time. Its also been given native granular fert too (Bushtucker).
I gave it a trunk chop about a month ago and its put on plenty of new growth since then.
Not much to look at yet, but I'm pretty happy with it so far :tu:

Cheers,

Alec
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by Rory »

Another awesome entry.
I’ll enjoy watching this one too.
Remember to watch the wiring if you get good sun over the colder months too.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
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Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by boom64 »

Nice progress Alec ,certainly likes your patch. Cheers John.
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alec
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

Thanks Rory and John! Yeah this one seems to love getting blasted by the sun and its been a long hot season 8-)
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by GavinG »

Alec, it would be useful if we could see how they grow over your way - any photos you get would be handy.

Thanks,

Gavin
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

Hi Gavin, I haven't taken any good photos myself, but I found these images online. They are fairly typical examples of the growth habit and It looks like the beautiful Denmark/Walpole area.

The striking feature of Mel. cuticularis is the stark white bark and the fine branching, usually battered by the wind with heaps of character. They are a fairly small size tree and they grow on the waters edge, fresh or salt doesn't bother them.
Next time I'm down that way I'll definitely keep an eye out for a few photo opportunities.

Cheers
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by MJL »

alec wrote:The striking feature of Mel. cuticularis is the stark white bark and the fine branching, usually battered by the wind with heaps of character.

Cheers
Alec, that first photo you posted looks brilliant; that white bark is fantastic!
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by GavinG »

Hi Alec, thanks for the shots - some lovely colours and lines there to feed on. The waters-edge scene is crying out to be potted up...

Gavin
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by treeman »

alec wrote:Hi Gavin, I haven't taken any good photos myself, but I found these images online. They are fairly typical examples of the growth habit and It looks like the beautiful Denmark/Walpole area.

The striking feature of Mel. cuticularis is the stark white bark and the fine branching, usually battered by the wind with heaps of character. They are a fairly small size tree and they grow on the waters edge, fresh or salt doesn't bother them.
Next time I'm down that way I'll definitely keep an eye out for a few photo opportunities.

Cheers
I think it will be a good species. I have a few 3 year seedlings and they have the habit of the one in your first picture naturally! I've just helped them along with a bit of wire but the twisted up and down/side to side growth is mostly their own work. At least the strain I have. I'm not getting the straight growth yours has.
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alec
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis - alec

Post by alec »

Cheers for the messages, I'm a big fan of this species too! (Hopefully over time I can do the tree justice :fc: )
Treeman, I wonder if the elongated growth habit is caused by genetics or external influences like water, soil, fert or climate. I've been letting it grow out a bit to add extra trunk size and general health. I'm planning to let it do its own thing for a while to create a more natural structure
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