A Bunch of Natives

[MJL]

I had a ball today. An unexpected trip to the hills with dad. Inspired by the recent native exhibition, off we ventured.

Not to a bonsai nursery just native nurseries. In truth, I don't even remember the names - I think one places was Kuranga ... but the plants below were purchased at some other joint.

The Tristaniopsos has quite exciting movement.

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The Callistomen has a lovely shape off the bat.

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The Mel is super straight but I liked the root spread and the trunk width of two fingers in width and the bark is already quite beautiful.

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The Lepto is very healthy and has a number of options.

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The Eucalyptus latens was too interesting to pass by.

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The most expensive plant here was $6.50! I know, I know ... it's not about cheap but I actually don't mind the look of some of this stock and I am just getting into Natives - so, I am sure I'll kill stuff. I don't think this is cheap for cheap's sake - I actually think some of this is quite good and somewhat more advanced than seedlings.

Anyway, great to be able to have an unexpected and fun day, walking around in the cool winter's sun.

[anthonyW]

Very nice pickups Mark, silver tea tree looks like very good potential there.

cheers Anthony

[shibui]

that E. latens looks interesting. A species I have not heard of but I see it is a small WA mallee tree. Juvenile leaves are good and even adult foliage appears to be quite small. I'm sure Gavin will be interested to see how this one goes over this side of the continent.
Mel. linarifolia sprouts everywhere when pruned and occasionally even when it is not pruned so you can cut wherever you like and expect lots of new shoots. Also fast growing and quite resilient. A straight trunk like this one lends itself very well to a broom style bonsai

[boom64]

Great selection Mark , I am sure they will all survive....Out of interest how big are the leaves on the Silver Tea Tree . Cheers John.

[MJL]

Thanks for the replies folks.

John, I’ll confirm tomorrow in the light but the leaves on the tea tree are 5-7mm, I reckon.

Neil, love the idea of a broom style, thank you! Here the full picture of the Mel and another of the Euc.

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Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[SquatJar]

Great stock for the price, I'd like to see that Mel in broom style, something different for an Aussie native

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[MJL]

Thanks. Ok, I’m on it - a broom it will be.... one day.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[GavinG]

My E. latens was smaller to start with, and hasn't done a lot... I'm more hopeful now, seeing this example. I think you have two separate seedlings - if you want you could separate them in November, two for the price of one! I like the bend on the left hand trunk, and the foliage looks like it will stay small. Keep us posted, please.

Gavin

[MJL]

Great selection Mark , I am sure they will all survive....Out of interest how big are the leaves on the Silver Tea Tree . Cheers John.

Hi John,
My apologies for the delayed response! No excuse - I just forgot!

Here’s the leaves of the silver tea tree and for comparison below - a coastal tea tree. As you can see the silver is much smaller 7-8mm.

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Bonsai teaches me patience.
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[boom64]

Thanks Mark ,
Great size for Bonsai. Looking forward to see what you will develop with this one ,nice movement at the base as well . Looks like a winner . Cheers John

[MJL]

I was in a "fail fast" mood a couple of weeks back so I hooked into some of these natives.

I am going to do a broom style Mel

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Also, I received this river gum recently - went whack to the trunk and boy has it responded.

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The Water Gum trunk was cut to better expose the movement in a lovely lower trunk; it has responded well and I'll cut back the lanky bits in due course too.

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It looks like I lost the Eucalyptus latens though.

The silver tea tree (currently growing in ground) and the calli (both not pictured here - but pictured earlier) are thriving too.

So, failed very fast on one ... others seem to be responding well to a repot and severe prune.

[Ryceman3]

Lots of great potential. I particularly like that Water Gum with the way it is sprouting options and I think the Linarifiolia is on the right track too ... Looking good!

[terryb]

The silver tea tree (currently growing in ground) and the calli (both not pictured here - but pictured earlier) are thriving too.

Would like to see how the silver tea tree is growing if you have time. I have a tubestock plant that I need to repot now that it is warmer. In case you haven't seen the flowers...

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[Raging Bull]

Hi Mjl,
Hold your Horses!! don't throw the e. latens out yet. Try cutting back the branches where the dead leaves are but keep anything that is still bend-able and looks like it has live cambium when carefully scratched. Then keep them moist but not wet and wait a few weeks. Crossing your fingers helps.

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I dug a couple of very small eucalypts which I thought had died but did the above and now they've taken off, even the one that looked totally dead. That's them ,back from the presumed dead.
Cheers, Frank.

[MJL]

Thanks R3, Terry and Frank.
@Terry, I hadn't seen the flower, thank you. Below are a couple of shots in a grow bed. Not great shots but should give you an idea.
@Frank, Cheers - noted and I'll cross my fingers on the latens and you've gotta love anything that self-seeds.

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