Boics Allocasuarina Torulosa Progression

[Jarad]

I guess we will need to start displaying our photographic inspiration for our Aussie native bonsai as their growth habits are so varied across Australia...

[Elmar]

I guess we will need to start displaying our photographic inspiration for our Aussie native bonsai as their growth habits are so varied across Australia...

Good idea! I've been looking into Hakea and they have THE most dramatic trunks I have seen (main reason I got interested in them)!
Must do some snapping!


Cheers
Elmar

[fossil finder]

As I mentioned previously torulosa does vary a bit depending on environmental conditions. This tree I photographed in 2012 was 2500mm at chest height and the biggest most impressive one I have seen but I would expect there are larger specimens in Gibralter Range NP west of Grafton. Note the tapering! Bummer I didn't get a shot showing branching.


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[Rory]

The base of that 'hair' on your picture reminds me of Allocasuarina inophloia

On a side note: I have always wanted stock of Allocasuarina inophloia:
http://www.ttit.id.au/images/timbers/hairyoak/04.JPG

And with its hair in full perm:
https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-200 ... BK-600.jpg

[fossil finder]

Yes they are an interesting plant. I wonder why they have evolved that way......maybe protection from heat?.... Here is another torulosa twin trunk.


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[Elmar]

Yes they are an interesting plant. I wonder why they have evolved that way......maybe protection from heat?.... Here is another torulosa twin trunk.


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Perhaps the wrong post?!?!


Cheers
Elmar

[Elmar]

Hah that's awesome! Are they in Australia?


Cheers
Elmar

[shibui]

Hah that's awesome! Are they in Australia?

These are Australian Elmar Northern NSW and Qld native plants. There's a couple outside the visitor centre at the Canberra Botanic gardens. Some seed fell off those ones last time I was there A few germinated but they did not survive long down here. A neighbour has one about 8 years old in the garden but it is struggling. Maybe they'd do better on your side.

[Elmar]

Yer sorry, silly question really... Not sure what's going on in my brain right now!

Looks very very interesting!


Cheers
Elmar

[fossil finder]

Sorry for this errant post....fat fingers learning to use a tablet. These ones were from state forest on Dorrigo Plateau west of Coffs Harbour. Favoured food plant of Glossy Black Cockatoo a threatened species.

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[Boics]

An update from today..
Things are filling out albeit slowly.
I think I repotted this year too successfully but that won't be something I'm going to do regularly.
I was surprised at the lack of action below the surface for this species and suspect that regular re-potting might not be necessary?

Anyway coming along - gotta say I find it hard to take photos..

[Ryceman3]

Really like the pot this is in Boics and that trunk is barking-up nicely!

[bodhidharma]

It is coming along nicely. Interesting that the root development is slow, and i had the same problem with mine. I suppose it means it can go into a smallerish pot Boic's

[Boics]

Been out taking pictures so here's the update.
Not much going on but the Apex will need a bit of work, wire and thinning.
There are also a few branches that are not quite in sync.

Decided that after the last repot (with so little root action) that these things don't need re-potting that often at the stage this tree is in?
Edit: Doesn't look like much has changed in six odd months at all!

[Rory]

That can't be right? Are you sure about the timeframe between photos? That has literally not put on any growth at all in 8 months!

I'd be checking the roots aren't possibly being eaten / rotting or something being up with them.
Does it get very little sun? I am assuming you might have uploaded the wrong photo, because even the needles are almost identical to the 2 photos.

When did you repot it? I'm guessing autumn/winter. In Victoria I would definitely not be repotting a Casuarina in late autumn or at all in winter, as they can sulk badly after this. I cut back and repotted 2 littoralis' in winter this year (1 hr north of Sydney weather) and they still have not put out a single needle/shoot of growth yet but just remained dormant. About 15 or so others have all shot since repotting in winter except these 2.

I wouldn't be repotting a Casuarina every year no. Probably once every 2 years or more depending on how old/vigorous it is.
Usually if you let the foliage go bushy you get really good root growth.