[Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

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Gerard
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[Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by Gerard »

Melaleuca cuticularis is a species seldom seen for sale in my area (Melbourne), I believe it makes terrific bonsai.
I paid a visit to Pup a few years ago and he generously provided one he had struck from a cutting. I have been letting it grow freely to gain some thickness and the time has come to cut back a few strong shoots.
This competition has given the incentive to not waste the strong shoots but air layer instead.
_IGP6857.jpg
_IGP6858 (2).jpg
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Left is about 6mm, right about 8mm
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by Ryceman3 »

Gerard wrote:Melaleuca cuticularis is a species seldom seen for sale in my area (Melbourne)
Never a truer word spoken! Look forward to watching what becomes of this, love the potential of these - would love to say I love these as stock, but that would mean I had some... I refer to Gerard’s initial line... good luck! :yes:
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treeman
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by treeman »

Apparently, cuticularis has the whitest of all Melaleuca barks. I also think they will make outstanding bonsai.
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by squizzy »

Nice one Gerard

I toyed with the idea of layering also. I have found layered plants seem to kick on better than seedlings. I took the safe option but let’s see who prospers.

Looks a lot like incana but more upright. Is it soft to touch.

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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by Rory »

Great stuff.
That's a lovely piece of material. I love the base on that one with the branching at the base. I hope to see an update on the parent in time too. :beer:
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Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

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Gerard
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Re: [Natural] Melaleuca cuticularis

Post by Gerard »

squizzy wrote:Nice one Gerard

I toyed with the idea of layering also. I have found layered plants seem to kick on better than seedlings. I took the safe option but let’s see who prospers.

Looks a lot like incana but more upright. Is it soft to touch.

Squizzy
Not all that soft, leaves are small and not too delicate I imagine they would be tolerant of really hot days. Branches / new trunks are a bit brittle at this thickness so achieving nice movement will be a challenge.
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