found myself on a couple of different bonsai channels on YouTube and decided it has to be about time to get a bonsai tree for myself.
Went out to a couple of local bonsai shops over a period of several months but just could not find the type of tree I wanted. I wanted to style the tree myself and
not buy one that had already been styled by someone else. So I put an ad on Gumtree naming the types I was after and got a response
the next day.
The next day I purchased a Melaleuca bonsai or maybe it would be considered "pre bonsai".
However while I was there I pointed to one of the bonsais and said "wow how much for that one" and the guy responded "that's the only one not for sale". I left with my Mel
and kept thinking, I really liked that other bonsai but eventually I forgot about it. Several weeks later the tree popped up on
Gumtree, it was too expensive for my very low budget however I decided the next day I will send a text to maybe pruchase the tree.
The next morning I sent the text and he replied "sold".
Dissapointed, but now I knew the species of tree. It was a "Coastal Tea Tree". I researched online a found they grew locally
also (finding this forum) realized that these trees rarely survive when collected.
Apparently these trees are considered to be a weed/pest here in Western Australia introduced via eastern states and are becoming very invasive.
After many hours of driving I found myself a large patch of these trees.
Many of the trees had been poisoned along edges of some walking tracks. I think these trees may slowly be getting eradicated on purpose.
There where still tonnes of them around though, They really are invasive, loving the West Australian climate. Eventually I found an old road with many Coastal Tea Trees growing through or on the edge of the road. The hard road base seemed to be restricting the trees.. After receiving permission and after much thought I relocated this tree.
I've had it now for 5 to 6 weeks. I think that it may be going to survive. Here is the picture.
Because it was growing on the old road, all of the roots (except for the tap root) where in about two inches of soil
any lower down and the soil was too hard. The tap root was the only one to penetrate the hard soil.
It was quickly bagged up in a damp garbage bag and replanted.
This photo is from today 5 to 6 weeks after relocating. Seems to be surviving with a few new buds. I have been watering it twice a day, unless it has rained. If it has rained I still water it in the evening. It's a little difficult to see the tree in the pictures with the current back ground.
Here is also pictures of some random other trees I saw on the day.
I know these trees rarely survive but I just had to try. The weather conditions had been perfect with tonnes of rain
and a forecast of warm weather.
Most of the trees I save in Sydney
