AusBonsai

I bit the bullet and cut down the Callistemon today...there is an interesting hollow at the base and the beginnings of some possible nebari on one branch. I only cut to lowest shoots.More off later under supervision perhaps??? Each branch is now about 45cms long.If the centre trunk shoots ok I will cut off the right hand one entirely eventually.
In the next few weeks I will deep water and loosen the soil in a circle around it. Hopefully to have it into a grow box by end of February. 16.jpg[/attachment]

With luck you'll be able to incorporate that hollow into the design. I would certainly class it as 'feature' rather than 'flaw' when assessing this trunk for bonsai design.
that you will see lots of buds sprouting all over the trunk in the next 3-4 weeks but it does sometimes take a little longer so don't give up too soon if it takes a while.

Hi Sue
Something I thought may interest you since your going to have branches to burn now
Also a way to help fill that nice new bench of yours.
Callistemon strike very well from branch cuttings which IMO is a cheap way to get more!!!! trees
to play with. Mind you I have only tried one myself and just this year[about 8 weeks ago]
I cut a 2inch thick branch a few inches long with a little green at end and its going well.
Mix was 3/4 perlite, 1/4 coir peat and after reading Mr Pups thread I left it in a water tray. May be
more than 8 weeks but there about. If you collect this summer or next spring I would still sit it into
a pot with a water tray. In September I collected one a bit smaller than yours and its been in a tray
with 1 inch water since and there are lots of good shoots already. Hope that helps.
cheers
Bob

Thanks for that advice Shibui and Bob...wow I had no idea Callistemon would shoot from a cutting.
I have another in my yard and will get to taking cuttings (Spring/Summer I take it Bob?). Will give it a try now and again in Spring.(second bench is up now and third on the way- just need someone to give me a lift with it onto it's legs...next hapless visitor with any strength is a goner! LOL
Too late for this one for cuttings but the bigger one (below) is a better flowerer anyway.