Leptospermum Petersonii on a rock

[Josh]

Finally got around to doing something with this tree. I bought this tree in October 2012. Wish I had kept it for the shoin comp I paid a grand total of $1.50 for it from the dead pile at a nursery. I really liked the trunk but it needed some work on it.

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Time for it to sit and recover for a while now. Comments welcome

Josh

[cre8ivbonsai]

Nice little Lepto you've got there mate, great trunk texture for a small tree! You'll have to keep the water up to it over summer

[Josh]

Nice little Lepto you've got there mate, great trunk texture for a small tree! You'll have to keep the water up to it over summer

Thanks Ryan.
Yeah that's my next big plan. To set up some watering systems, shade areas and water trays. The bark on the trunk was why I bought it. For such a small tree it has real texture.

Josh.

[Boics]

Well done Josh.

Looks a little treat and a great job from $1.50 worth of stock.
Now the tricky part.
Keeping it alive!

Cheers.

[Josh]

Well done Josh.

Looks a little treat and a great job from $1.50 worth of stock.
Now the tricky part.
Keeping it alive!

Cheers.

You guys are getting me worried all this talk about keeping it alive I will be working on a drip/spray irrigation system for my smaller pots over summer.

Josh.

[Rory]

Cute little tree you got there bud.

lol They are right, Petersonii are bastards if you ask me. I have tried 2 of them previously, and after heavy cutting back, both didn't make it. So I purchased another, and lost it, but this time, from lack of water. So, I persevered, and have bought a seedling, and have managed to keep it alive, albeit through minimal cutting back and keeping a close eye on its water consumption. I find that the hybrid Leptospermum Lemon-Frost is much hardier, and easier to manage, as they have survived very heavy cutting back, periods of reduced water, overwatering etc etc.... but time will tell.

[Dario]

Hi Josh, I love what you are doing with your rock pots and this rock is super!
I know nothing about this tree species but I think it could be a great tree in time, so best of luck mate.
My is that it appears that the tree is planted too centrally in the rock and with a dynamic rock like this it might have looked better if the tree had been planted a little to one side. Then in the future when the tree is ready to be styled, the directional flow of the tree would match the area of the rock with the most negative space.
The rock also seems rather large for the tree at this stage of its development, but that will change as it fills out.
I hope this doesn't come across as being critical, I love the tree and the rock! Good job mate
Cheers, Dario.

[Josh]

Hi Josh, I love what you are doing with your rock pots and this rock is super!
I know nothing about this tree species but I think it could be a great tree in time, so best of luck mate.
My is that it appears that the tree is planted too centrally in the rock and with a dynamic rock like this it might have looked better if the tree had been planted a little to one side. Then in the future when the tree is ready to be styled, the directional flow of the tree would match the area of the rock with the most negative space.
The rock also seems rather large for the tree at this stage of its development, but that will change as it fills out.
I hope this doesn't come across as being critical, I love the tree and the rock! Good job mate
Cheers, Dario.

The mate, appreciate to comments. It's funny how after you plant a tree you look a think "I should have..." It's a learn experience. I actually thought it was sitting a bit high so I have carved it out a bit more. I think it looks better now. I'll post another pic when I can.

Josh.

[Dario]

The mate, appreciate to comments. It's funny how after you plant a tree you look a think "I should have..." Josh.

Totally agree Josh and that to me is a normal part of the learning process, but it can be really frustrating at times too...(that is a general observation and not a direct comment on any part of your composition).
It is also really easy to do what I did and make a comment from looking at a pic of someone else's tree after it is done etc. But it is another thing actually making it yourself, so nice work.
Where did you come across such a nice rock Josh. I am often on the look out for a good rock, but as yet I haven't had much luck in finding one that really rocks excuse the bad pun mate
Cheers, Dario.

[Josh]

Cute little tree you got there bud.

lol They are right, Petersonii are bastards if you ask me. I have tried 2 of them previously, and after heavy cutting back, both didn't make it. So I purchased another, and lost it, but this time, from lack of water. So, I persevered, and have bought a seedling, and have managed to keep it alive, albeit through minimal cutting back and keeping a close eye on its water consumption. I find that the hybrid Leptospermum Lemon-Frost is much hardier, and easier to manage, as they have survived very heavy cutting back, periods of reduced water, overwatering etc etc.... but time will tell.

This tree has been constantly cut back almost a stick. When I bought it, it was pot bound, bone dry and not in good shape (see the first pic as bought). I've not done anything special with the tree, just sat on the bench with the rest. Maybe I got lucky.

Josh.

[Josh]

The mate, appreciate to comments. It's funny how after you plant a tree you look a think "I should have..." Josh.

Totally agree Josh and that to me is a normal part of the learning process, but it can be really frustrating at times too...(that is a general observation and not a direct comment on any part of your composition).
It is also really easy to do what I did and make a comment from looking at a pic of someone else's tree after it is done etc. But it is another thing actually making it yourself, so nice work.
Where did you come across such a nice rock Josh. I am often on the look out for a good rock, but as yet I haven't had much luck in finding one that really rocks excuse the bad pun mate
Cheers, Dario.

All good mate. The photo doesn't do the tree and rock justice either. I had thought about carving out a small spot to the side and planting a companion plant on there as well or some moss or something. Guess ill see if it survives first.
The is called mud rock. I crawl all over huge piles of rock for ages just to find one or two thelat are suitable. I have started buying big slabs ( note to self, not good for back) and splitting them myself. I end up with a bit of waste but I usually get ok rocks out of it to. With the right tools it carves easily (although works up a sweat still). It some great colours in to. I actually broke a piece off this rock and was able to glue it back on so you wouldn't know it was broken. It all a learning curve and the more rocks I do the better they will look hopefully.
I've got a couple more I'm working on. Dust is the biggest issue when carving.

Josh.

[Dario]

Thanks Josh, sounds like a lot of work but well worth the effort judging by your results.
It will be good to see the other rocks you are working on when you have finished carving them up.
Cheers, Dario.

[alpineart]

Hi Josh , mate i know the effort that goes into these things and you have captured the essence of the bush with this one . Now go grab yourself a tray of some sort fill it with sand , gravel or scoria and sit the rock in it like a wet bed .

That will keep it moist but no wet and help keep the rock cool at the same time , hope the Summer is a mild one be a shame to loose it .

Cheers Alpine

[Josh]

Hi Josh , mate i know the effort that goes into these things and you have captured the essence of the bush with this one . Now go grab yourself a tray of some sort fill it with sand , gravel or scoria and sit the rock in it like a wet bed .

That will keep it moist but no wet and help keep the rock cool at the same time , hope the Summer is a mild one be a shame to loose it .

Cheers Alpine

Thanks Alpine, hadn't thought about the rock heating up good call. I've been collecting big trays from op shops (my wife thinks I'm mad) for such s thing so will have to get them out now. Got shade cloth as a temp cover to protect a few newly potted trees as well so fingers crossed. These rocks are soft but still a bit of effort goes into carving them. Still working on my mountain rock, going to a long process.

Josh.

[Watto]

Love your work Josh, I think the transformation is great, a real credit to you.