Styling for a Leptospermum

[Beginner Bonsai]

Hi Everyone,

I'm after some styling advice for the Leptospermum 'Merinda' that a bought last year. I've managed to get some good growth growing, what are your thoughts on what to do next. The lowest branch is for trunk growth at the minute, will be removed later.

The first shot is at purchase, in flower. The following is a recent pick. Features that I would like to focus on are the bright pink flowers and it seems to have a nice 'weeping' form.

Sorry about the poor photos.

Any advice is appreciated.

Cheers




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[Ryceman3]

I love Leptospermum, as a native I think they have great potential. I have a few Laevigatum and Continentale which are at a similar stage as your tree (maybe a bit smaller), so unfortunately I can't give you practical advice with conviction - we're in the same boat! I plan to grow mine on this season and I've got a weekend pass to the Native Bonsai Symposium this April in Melbourne... looking forward to finding out then how to release the potential in my trees and make something amazing!
Your tree looks really healthy and has come on great in just 12 months, I hope you get some sage advice here in regards to practical direction, nice start.

[Ryceman3]

PS: I should add I cut a few of mine back quite hard about a month ago as an experiment and they have thanked me for it, new growth everywhere. If you we're thinking of going down the route of a significant prune, I don't think it would harm the tree - although unsure if it is too late for that now?

[kcpoole]

Nice growth.
the long straight section of trunk in the middle to me needs to be addressed, I would cut back to about 1/2 way along it so the next section above has got taper in it.

for styling ideas, sheck out the sannantha's in the recent ANBA comp for inspiration.

Ken

[Rory]

Nice growth.
the long straight section of trunk in the middle to me needs to be addressed, I would cut back to about 1/2 way along it so the next section above has got taper in it.

for styling ideas, sheck out the sannantha's in the recent ANBA comp for inspiration.

Ken

Yeah, the long section ain't doing you any favours. But whatever you cut back, try to do it in stages over years, as lepto can have a tendency to .... die ..... after a hard prune

[Beginner Bonsai]

Thanks for the replies. I thought the straight section might have been my main hurdle.



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[GavinG]

They're not easy to bend with wire, so it's usually easiest to clip-and-grow. General rule - when it gets boring, or messy, or nasty, cut it off. What's left will make an interesting shape after a few years of this process. Grow long, cut back at this stage, but with Leptos, don't cut back to bare wood - leave some leaves.

Have fun,

Gavin

[Alek Stead]

hows it going? growing well?