Leptospermum obavatum

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GavinG
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Leptospermum obavatum

Post by GavinG »

Some Leptos shoot back on old wood, and some don't. I cut these two back to two or three leaves maybe a month ago, and they've shot back well on the long thin boring bits that didn't have foliage or branching - I'll be cutting back there shortly. Seems to be a good hardy Lepto for Canberra region - it's local - but like some others it can be slow to thicken. Makes good angles and sinuous curves with grow-and-clip.
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Ryceman3
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Re: Leptospermum obavatum

Post by Ryceman3 »

Looking good Gavin.
The small leaf size along with back-budding capacity make it a promising bonsai candidate. Is this the same Lepto that is sometimes sold as "Starry Night"? Have you had much success with getting it to flower?
Thanks for posting. :yes:
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Re: Leptospermum obavatum

Post by GavinG »

Apparently (wikipedia) "Starry Night" is a purple-leafed selection of L. obovatum - mine is just the common green form. I have not had it flower - I suspect the Annual Spring Massacre Mayhem probably works against it. I'm not too fussed - large Lepto flowers can be a bit gaudy for me. I will need to keep this one light and delicate, because it will be all too easy to lose the sinuous detail in the trunk with over-thickening. Probably in a bonsai pot in 2-4 years - I'm doubting that something symmetrical/smooth/Japanese will suit it.

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Boics
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Re: Leptospermum obavatum

Post by Boics »

Tree is looking good!
Ive a starry night that you can probably find on the forum.
Ive never done a "no green" chop but it does bud back if reduced to green.
Takes perfectly well to bonsai culture with no problems root pruning and even digging from a grow bed.
Ive never seen flowers either..
One of the fabulous things about growing bonsai is as you get old and decrepit your trees get old and beautiful
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Ryceman3
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Re: Leptospermum obavatum

Post by Ryceman3 »

Thanks for the info/replies Gavin/Boics... Look forward to seeing yours in a couple of years Gavin.

Boics - I found your link here :
viewtopic.php?f=82&t=23017&p=231812&hil ... ht#p231812

I see I had already commented on it ... this may be why there was something in the back of my tiny brain telling me obovatum and "Starry Night" were linked ... I need to keep up with myself ... :palm:
Don't spose you have an update on yours while we are on the subject??
:beer:
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