AusBonsai

G,day all I had forgotten this thread, yes I will do a tutorial on differing pruning methods, I use so that we do not have the topiary effect. At the moment we have had a serious Haze problem from a bush fire to the south of Perth.
So I have been confined to the indoors, by that lady you admire Brett. She is making sure I do as the bloody Dr says. Lungs are not being helped so you guys will have to wait for that.

Harry, if you do get in touch I am being pursued by a couple of people on what I am willing to let go, so don't hang around too long.

As I am sitting being confined to Barracks, I just read and re read some of the posts from long ago, when we were going along fine.

Then WHAT happened

Cheers Pup

Would love for you to post some of the pruning techniques Pup.

second that.....

It seems this thread and the promises made are jinxed.
Last night had a very worrying episode with the Pup. He started coughing blood lots of it, so of to the emergency Vet at Murdoch University.

A $1000,00 Later and 2am told he had a broken tooth and his blood plate level was low so he was bleeding badly. After getting home very late, ironically I am now waiting to go to the dentist myself.

It wont cost that much though, so another time perhaps.

Cheers Pup

You have got to stop biting the wire, use wire cutters.
Hope the pup gets better

Sorry to read/hear about little pup, Pup. hope he'll be alright mate, I'm sure he will with Sue fussing over him. get well soon pup

G,day peeps or what ever, thanks for the encouragement Craig the little bugger is fine now, but I am still recovering physically and financially.

Any way to day I did some picture taking of pruning Melaleuca and Gum trees.

Thinking of a tutorial . It really is a matter of pruning as it is needed, and taking the larger leaves or needles out, and leaving the small ones to grow.
I have been doing some today so I will put them here for you.
The names will be put with the picture.
Cheers Pup I do hope this is of help, Pup

Pup, the only thing you forgot to show was the "pixie dust". Absolute magic mate.

So I'm in need of a little advice, and this seems like the place to ask. I am planning on acquiring a melaleuca (or two) this summer and need help picking the best one for my climate.

I live in Phoenix, AZ, which is very hot desert. Over 100 days per year over 100 degrees F (38 C), and temps up to 120 F (49 C). It usually doesn't freeze during the winter though we had five straight days of it a week or so ago, which sure did a number on the poor ficus growing in my front yard.

But wait, there's more. I will be moving in a few years to a cooler climate - I'm not sure where yet. So I need a tree that can live in the hot summers now, and hopefully survive some decent frost and cold in a few years. If this is not possible, then I'll need one that can tolerate being inside in the winter since I really don't want to sell it.

Any thoughts? Am I asking too much from a tree? Thanks in advance for the help!

lackhand wrote:So I'm in need of a little advice, and this seems like the place to ask. I am planning on acquiring a melaleuca (or two) this summer and need help picking the best one for my climate.

I live in Phoenix, AZ, which is very hot desert. Over 100 days per year over 100 degrees F (38 C), and temps up to 120 F (49 C). It usually doesn't freeze during the winter though we had five straight days of it a week or so ago, which sure did a number on the poor ficus growing in my front yard.

But wait, there's more. I will be moving in a few years to a cooler climate - I'm not sure where yet. So I need a tree that can live in the hot summers now, and hopefully survive some decent frost and cold in a few years. If this is not possible, then I'll need one that can tolerate being inside in the winter since I really don't want to sell it.

Any thoughts? Am I asking too much from a tree? Thanks in advance for the help!

Hi ya Lakhand, what I need to know is what you can get, as I have said at the beginning of this thread there is a Melaleuca for all states that is Australia.
They do grow under Snow, certain species also grow in saline estuaries, which is not your problem I know, some grow in very rocky terrain.

So if you can say what species you can get hold of I might be able to help.
Pup cheers Oi Oi Oi
ps it is Australia day on Saturday 26

Happy Australia Day!

Well then, Saturday sounds like the perfect day to go scouting local nurseries. I know they sell a few different types - there are at least two kinds growing in my neighborhood. I'll let you know what I find. Cheers!

lackhand wrote: Happy Australia Day!

Well then, Saturday sounds like the perfect day to go scouting local nurseries. I know they sell a few different types - there are at least two kinds growing in my neighborhood. I'll let you know what I find. Cheers!

Thank you for the thoughts. I know there are a few introduced into the USA have become weed pests Melaleuca decussata, one that springs to mind. It was introduced to help with the water problems instead of solving that it became very invasive.
Not sure what others are there though, so it will be good to know, as some have been grown in Canberra our Capitol Territory, and they get extremes like you are referring to.
The ones that were Donated to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia,are Melaleuca rhaphiophylla it has very nice papery bark and needle like mature foliage.

Cheers Pup

Have been coming to this thread heaps lately, so many answers to my questions

Mel's are quickly becoming my favorite, particularly the paperbarks. Have so many of them around my place that I find myself planning what I could do to them whenever I'm out and about

Can't wait to see some of these tree's in person

Best thread 2009-2013....
Can't believe I hadn't seen this yet.

Awesome!

So after scouting a couple nurseries, this is what I can get locally. I figured since I was at it, I would make a list of all the Aussie trees since it might be of interest. Here goes:

Melaleuca elliptica, alternifolia, linariifolia, pulchella, latenta

Eucalyptus woodwardii, polyanthemos, sargentii, kruseana, gillii, websteriana, calycogona, "Moon Lagoon", victrix, leucoxylon, "Red Gum", salmonophloia, sideroxylon losea, papuana, microtheca, erythrocorys

Callistemon viminalis, violacea

Brachychiton populneus

Casuarina cunninghamiana

There were a couple acacias too, but I didn't think to write them down. As you can see, Australian trees are quite popular here. Surprisingly, none of the local growers seem to have much experience making bonsai out of them though. Which is why I'm here! Thanks again for the help everybody (and Pup in particular).