I think its a Mel of some type

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DavidWilloughby
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I think its a Mel of some type

Post by DavidWilloughby »

Hi all,

Was handed this tree from a friend, early January to see what I could come up with and I am blown away how it has responded.

I am not 100% sure on species but think its some variety of Mel, so any of the ID guru's, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
JPP 7 Jan 2017.jpg
*raw material 7 Jan 17, it was styled and potted into a Bonsai pot this day.
JPP 12 Feb 2017.jpg
*12 Feb potted up and growing
JPP 15 March 2017.jpg
*15 March 17

Still early days and a long way off anything decent but I am happy with the direction its taking. Any thoughts and comments are most welcome.

Cheers

David
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by squizzy »

David. That is an absolute cracker.

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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by shibui »

Just does not strike me as a mel but there are many species and so may different forms of bark and leaf. Flowers are the defining feature so if you can get some flowers we'll have a much better chance of ID.
The trunk is strong and well formed and it has obviously adapted well to the pot.
Well done I say :clap:
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by Starfox »

Awesome job, that is a fantastic little tree.
Could it possibly be M. armillaris? If so it would have white flowers.
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by Theodore »

Less than two months. Now that is awesome!
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by [ Kane ] »

Wow! Yeah as above, that is a ripper. Where do you find stock like this ;)
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by Steve B »

Looks like it might be M. Linearifolia. Opposing leaves and a bit of red on some of the new stems look like a couple I have. Bark maybe not quite as "flakey" as mine, but that could be down to age and handling. Guessing though as there are plenty of options - flowering should help confirm it.

One thing I am sure about though, this is a cracking tree! Congrats on seeing this from the original material. I look at the first shot and just scratch my head on how you saw it. Makes me realise I have a lot to learn on styling. Tempted to call it a juniper approach to styling (that's a complement too because I think you've really carried it off). It's good to see the natives can handle this kind of approach. Maybe I need to be a bit more open minded on what a native should look like and take a leaf out of your book David.
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by melbrackstone »

What a transformation! Wow! (Sorry, no idea about the species.)
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by hugh grant »

Its a Melaleuca nodosa David, Prickly leaf paperbark commonly.

Great work, looking good David!
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by Jdceng »

Hi David

I sent you a PM.
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by brodoyouevenbonsai »

Wow! It wanted to be a bonsai. Well done

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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by DavidWilloughby »

Hi all,

Thank you very much everyone for your comments it really means a lot, the foliage colour and friend who handed it too me have suggested of late that it does look more like M. Linearifolia, as you what you said Steve (which also thank you mate, I am extremely humbled by your comment).

Here is an update of it. in the baskets is only native osmocote.
JPP 28 Sept 2017.jpg
Still many years of development ahead for those twigs for branches hahaha :p but happy how its moving along in such a short time.

Cheers

Willow
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by matty-j »

Fantastic little tree mate! keep the photos coming as it develops over this growing season.

Cheers
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by GavinG »

Lovely trunk, and a good choice of pot. Would you consider half the load of foliage on the left side, so that the trunk lean rightwards is confirmed by the weight of the foliage going that way as well?

Just my 2c. Considerable envy and greed.

Gavin
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Re: I think its a Mel of some type

Post by DavidWilloughby »

Hi all,

Thank you Matt and Gavin for your comments, Gavin yes I have thought about it and always have that option to remove. I am resisting the urge at the moment as I have ideas haha :p but isn't out of the question as a possible design change in the future.

Here is a quick update as I had the camera out yesterday, I cannot believe how much this has come on. It is constant work with pinching and cutting the growing ends but rewarding.
JPP 20 Dec 2017.jpg
*20 December 2017

Hard to believe it hasn't even been a year yet lol

Any thoughts and comments are welcomed.

Cheers

Willow
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