Graptophyllum excelsum / Queensland Holly as bonsai

[Ash]

AUTHOR
Ash

Queensland Holly.jpg

BOTANIC NAME
Graptophyllum excelsum (F.Muell.) Druce

COMMON NAME
Queensland Holly

NOTE
Graptophyllum excelsum is an excellent Queensland native shrub or small tree for cultivation as bonsai. It has small leaves that make it very suitable for use as shohin and chuhin bonsai. If grown as a larger bonsai it will flower provided shoots are allowed to elongate and mature. Over time it develops a finely fissured corky bark.

BACKGROUND
http://keys.trin.org.au/key-server/data ... celsum.htm

SUN
Suitable for growing in full sun or in filtered shade.

TEMPERATURE
Suitable for cultivation in a tropical or subtropical climate.

WATERING
Benefits from regular watering if grown in a free draining medium.

TRAINING
Benefits from regular shoot pruning. Small branches become very stiff and are difficult to wire successfully. It will back-bud of old wood if the plant is growing strongly.

FERTILIZING
Benefits from dosage of slow release fertiliser at the time of repotting, followed by regular application of liquid fertiliser in the growing season.

REPOTTING
Graptophyllum excelsum has a vigorous root system and as bonsai it will benefit from regular root pruning. The root system is dense and corky and a very sharp sickle saw is a good tool to reduce the root mass. In a bonsai pot it will benefit from regular (e.g. annual or biannual!) repotting.

PROPAGATION
Seed, shoot cuttings, root cuttings or aerial layering.

PESTS OR DISEASES
No pests observed in 25 years of cultivation.

COMMENTS
The shohin-chuhin tree figured above was grown from a cutting in 1990.

[DangerousDave]

I second that motion... an excellent candidate for tropical bonsai (and subtropical too I expect).

Great specimen, Ash.

What a great thing to take the time and post a species profile like that - thanks

I have a few in training... only 12 months or so. Your’s is well advanced. Great base.

Agree with all your comments/advice. Definitely one to prune, very stiff branches and hard to wire. Agree about the regular repotting / root pruning too. I have done one of them twice this year and it’s happier for it. Likes very well draining mix.

Hope to see some more of this on the forum soon.

I’ll post a shot of my most advanced stick when I get the chance

Dave

[demps]

Awesome species for bonsai mate! look forward to seeing more of these used. Also thinking of getting some rough leaved elm up (Apananthe philippinensis) from seed and seeing how they go

[Boics]

Well done on all accounts Ash!

[Elmer]

Great species guide, thanks for posting. They grow well in Sydney as garden plants even coping with occasional frost without damage.