Callistemon "Little John"

[Raymond B]

Hi Everyone!
I'm just starting out on this wonderful adventure that is bonsai and I would love some guidance in which way to go with this little tree.
I'm always hesitant to post on here, but here goes...
I bought this Little John from a nursery some time in March or April this year and all I did at the time was slip pot it into a larger pot.

170718 Full View resized.jpg

170718 Front Close up resized.jpg

Where it splits at the V there is actually another branch coming out the back (photo below, branch coming out to the right), I was wondering, should I chop that off now because will it cause reverse taper?

170718 Right Side Close up resized.jpg

I know there is a guide on Callistemon on here somewhere and I will definitely give that a read. I've glance over it multiple times looking for photos for inspiration.

Thanks in advance for everyone's input and advice!

[shibui]

Just having 2 shoots at any point is a good idea. Which one to remove will depend on your aims and stage of development. Generally branches are thinner than trunks so maybe taking off one of the larger ones would be a better solution leaving a thicker trunk with a thinner branch at that point.
Your tree is currently very young and thin. Most people expect bonsai to have solid, thick trunks with good taper. This is generally achieved by allowing lots of growth then pruning back hard. If this is your aim then leave both thick ones for now as one will probably be removed in a couple of years when the trunk is thick enough.

There is not really one path to creating a bonsai. there are many different options that can lead to a good final outcome.

[Boics]

Yep.
Solid advice from Shibui as always.
Goal should be growth at this stage.
Need to develop a trunk.

[Raymond B]

Great, thanks guys!
So while I'm thickening the trunk, do I keep the rule of no more than 2 shoots at any point?
and what time of year should I prune these back?

[Ryceman3]

Hi Raymond B,
Check out this thread ....
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=2641&start=0

There is a lot of useful info in there to ponder while your Little John gets bigger...
Be sure to post updates as they come about, it's great to see progress.

[kcpoole]

do I keep the rule of no more than 2 shoots at any point?

Yes, Regardless of the tree, more the 2 of any point will generate thickening there and create a lump / reverse taper.

Ken

[shibui]

I think it is good practice to always keep to 2x2 pruning, even when thickening a tree hover it is not quite as critical while growing on but you will need to keep watching and be prepared to cut at the first sign of reverse thickening.
One good thing about Callistemon is that you can cut back hard and they will still shoot from older wood so you have much better chance of recovering something if it does get out of hand.
I seem to be able to prune callistemon at any time of the year but they shoot quicker in spring and summer and save you some worry when pruned then. Removing smaller branches can be done any time if you don't need new shoots.

[treeman]

Someone please tell me how to grow these things! I have found them to be weak and susceptible to leaf rot. I got myself a ''Better john'' after I read that they were stronger and more resistant. It seems just as bad if not worse! All the tips have rotted off this winter and it was before any frost touched them. All the standard viminalis got their heads burned off from frost but that's not so much of a concern. It's the grey mould and die back in LJ and BJ that is my problem.

[Raymond B]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely keep this updated. It might be useful for some other newbie starting out in a few years time!

Hi Raymond B,
Check out this thread ....
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=2641&start=0

There is a lot of useful info in there to ponder while your Little John gets bigger...
Be sure to post updates as they come about, it's great to see progress.

Thanks for that, I knew it existed but I couldn't find it last night. Searching for callistemon yields 2000+ results

[melbrackstone]

Someone please tell me how to grow these things!

You must just be in too cold a climate for them? Daleys say it's a sub-tropical to warm temperate plant...

Perhaps there are other natives you can excel with... like Leptos!