Casuarina

[Tropicalgirl]

Hi guys,
The lady at the l al nusery gave me this little tree today, it was in a tube pot and had started escaping into the ground.
I've put it in a big pot to let it grow and wired it to get a bit of something going, not sure what yet.
Any tips would be appreciated,
Deanna

[Rory]

Hello Deanna,

Excellent material for bonsai!

They will thicken quickly so watch the wire after a few months. You've done the best you can do so far.
Make sure it gets at least half day sun and don't let it dry out.

They are great for beginners and experts.

I'd say let it grow for a year or so before you do your first trunk chop.
It will produce shoots from wherever you cut back so don't worry about letting it grow for now.

Any questions.... That's what we're here for. . Have fun

[shibui]

This is a great way to grow natives - start with small seedlings before the roots get too thick and tangled. Plant into larger container and feed well and you will normally get amazing growth.

Most Casuarinas bud well from older, bare wood so even if it gets big you should be able to cut back hard and get new buds to grow again.

Rory and Steven have both posted some valuable tips on how to develop Casuarina as bonsai - use the search button and sift the gems from the rubbish.

[kcpoole]

Check out some of Stevens Casuarina for inspiration and ideas on how to style them.

Just watch the wire coming into spring as the bark can scar badly. If the variety is not a corky of flakey bark one the wire scars can stay for ever and look ugly.

Ken

[Tropicalgirl]

It seems to have died maybe it lost more root than I thought since it was growing out the bottom of its pot. Oh well I might have to try to get another one or maybe some seeds, I notice the local trees have green pods on them,
Deanna