A tree for all zones and styles
- Pup
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A tree for all zones and styles
Got ya.
Melaleuca's of course. They will grow in any State and in any climate. Even out in the open in Cornwall southern England where they get regular snow falls, and have done since the 19th century.
Melaleuca's are the second biggest in the Myrtaceae family to the Eucalyptus. First discovered in 1660 by the Dutch merchant George Rumf.
In the Indonesian Islands of Ambon and Sulawesi.
The main part of the gathering of specimens was much later. The taxonomy is still to this day being collected and changed. The guess of 250+ species and sub species varieties and forma .
It is thought that the name is derived from the Greek ( Malas meaning black ) and ( Leukos meaning white ). Referring to the lower trunk which is often blackened by fire. With the white above.
There are 48 Melaleuca's referred to as Paperbarks others are mostly referred to as Honey myrtles. All with a qualifying reference as bracelet honey myrtle
or saltwater paperbark.
All of them flower some from new growth some from old wood colours vary from White though to crimson.
The styles you can do any style you wish,from the so called natural to the classical, but understanding you Mel is important.
Some do not like to be wired past the parallel, some will not shoot on old wood freely. As a practice I try first with one that is still being trained. I never cut back beyond greengrowth. That way I have some control over the new shoots.
What I have found is when root pruning I water the tree. Then two hours later I repot and root prune, I very carefully tease out the roots. I have found this works well with all Natives.
I am currently growing 18 species of Melaleuca from the large two man size rhaphiophylla which is my personel favorite, to Shohin. I find them to be just about the perfect native species to work with. They are very diverse in growth habit from inundated swamps to rocky outcrops. Also heath lands from Large trees to small prostrate scrubs. The leaf also varys from lanceolate to needle and every where in between.
My fertilising is once per fortnight using an acid lovers fertiliser MiracleGro for Azaleas alternating with Phostrogen always at full strength.
I finger pinch new growth as required and prune when nessisary, I have been known to use hedge shears when I get behind.
Carving your Mel is much the same as other trees decide where you want to go the slowly slowly. When you are happy with what you have you then need to treat the wood.
Ah but with fire yes fire to harden of the wood then whan you treat it with preservative it has a better chance, and look. I hope this little Essay will help those of you contemplating starting out with our wonderful natives as Bonsai Here are some pictures to help you along that path. Pup
Melaleuca's of course. They will grow in any State and in any climate. Even out in the open in Cornwall southern England where they get regular snow falls, and have done since the 19th century.
Melaleuca's are the second biggest in the Myrtaceae family to the Eucalyptus. First discovered in 1660 by the Dutch merchant George Rumf.
In the Indonesian Islands of Ambon and Sulawesi.
The main part of the gathering of specimens was much later. The taxonomy is still to this day being collected and changed. The guess of 250+ species and sub species varieties and forma .
It is thought that the name is derived from the Greek ( Malas meaning black ) and ( Leukos meaning white ). Referring to the lower trunk which is often blackened by fire. With the white above.
There are 48 Melaleuca's referred to as Paperbarks others are mostly referred to as Honey myrtles. All with a qualifying reference as bracelet honey myrtle
or saltwater paperbark.
All of them flower some from new growth some from old wood colours vary from White though to crimson.
The styles you can do any style you wish,from the so called natural to the classical, but understanding you Mel is important.
Some do not like to be wired past the parallel, some will not shoot on old wood freely. As a practice I try first with one that is still being trained. I never cut back beyond greengrowth. That way I have some control over the new shoots.
What I have found is when root pruning I water the tree. Then two hours later I repot and root prune, I very carefully tease out the roots. I have found this works well with all Natives.
I am currently growing 18 species of Melaleuca from the large two man size rhaphiophylla which is my personel favorite, to Shohin. I find them to be just about the perfect native species to work with. They are very diverse in growth habit from inundated swamps to rocky outcrops. Also heath lands from Large trees to small prostrate scrubs. The leaf also varys from lanceolate to needle and every where in between.
My fertilising is once per fortnight using an acid lovers fertiliser MiracleGro for Azaleas alternating with Phostrogen always at full strength.
I finger pinch new growth as required and prune when nessisary, I have been known to use hedge shears when I get behind.
Carving your Mel is much the same as other trees decide where you want to go the slowly slowly. When you are happy with what you have you then need to treat the wood.
Ah but with fire yes fire to harden of the wood then whan you treat it with preservative it has a better chance, and look. I hope this little Essay will help those of you contemplating starting out with our wonderful natives as Bonsai Here are some pictures to help you along that path. Pup
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Last edited by Pup on September 8th, 2009, 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
- Pup
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
More pictures for your perusal
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IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
pup,
amazing trees as always mate. I particually think you did a fantastic job with the wind swept style. Its a style hard to do convincing and yours pass with high marks. I think the pot matches it really well. If i can ever get airfrieght to come down ill have to buy some mels off you one day
amazing trees as always mate. I particually think you did a fantastic job with the wind swept style. Its a style hard to do convincing and yours pass with high marks. I think the pot matches it really well. If i can ever get airfrieght to come down ill have to buy some mels off you one day
Last edited by Matthew on September 8th, 2009, 7:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Pup
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Some more of the Melaleuca's
THTHATS all folks I hope you enjoy this as much as I did doing for you all PupYou do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
amazing trees pup, sky high standard mate
SHOHIN YAKUZA!!!
taking the top half of trees of since 2005!
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans
taking the top half of trees of since 2005!
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans
- bonscythe
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Thanks Pup, great article and I can see myself spending a looooonnng time looking at these photos!
That must be an awesome set of collection sites you have discovered over there...so many great trees
Very inspiring indeed..
That must be an awesome set of collection sites you have discovered over there...so many great trees
Very inspiring indeed..
- bonsai4life
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Thanks Pup for posting such useful information on the mels, and wonderful examples
I think it should be said that you are the Master of Melaleuca Well done
Scott
I think it should be said that you are the Master of Melaleuca Well done
Scott
Why is it that some people can't just give there oppinion.....if someone does not agree is there really a need to jump on your shetland pony and pretend its a high horse???
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
a fine array of mel's pup
great show of aussie skill in these photo's...
great show of aussie skill in these photo's...
inspired by nature,
considered superior to nature.
considered superior to nature.
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
These are, a must have Pup. Your trees are absolutley something else. Id love to see your collection. Yours are a true inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing them with us. Petra!
Learn from yesterday,live for today,hope for tomorrow.The important thing is, to not stop questioning. Albert Einstein...
- Pup
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
I am very pleased that you like what is there for your enjoyment.
The big question is.
Is there enough information to get you started. I know that you have a lot of restriction placed on you as far as collecting goes.
One of the easiest ways to get started on big stuff is to go to the Landscape garden centres they usually have large tree's like Webos has been getting.
In most cases when a tree has a fault, that we would consider movement they will either cut of all the lower or in some cases throw them out.
Also your local councils some times grow there own and they are not always what they want.
I will gladly help if you have specific questions if I know the answer. If not I will endeavour to find it.
This is specific to Melaleuca's that I have successfully grown so that way what I say I have done and it works.
As stated Melaleuca's are not territory or climate bound.
So lets have those questions to keep this thread alive. Pup
The big question is.
Is there enough information to get you started. I know that you have a lot of restriction placed on you as far as collecting goes.
One of the easiest ways to get started on big stuff is to go to the Landscape garden centres they usually have large tree's like Webos has been getting.
In most cases when a tree has a fault, that we would consider movement they will either cut of all the lower or in some cases throw them out.
Also your local councils some times grow there own and they are not always what they want.
I will gladly help if you have specific questions if I know the answer. If not I will endeavour to find it.
This is specific to Melaleuca's that I have successfully grown so that way what I say I have done and it works.
As stated Melaleuca's are not territory or climate bound.
So lets have those questions to keep this thread alive. Pup
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
My goodness.... They are fantastic!!
You have some truly magnificent trees there Pup!! You have quite literally blown my mind ^_^
You have some truly magnificent trees there Pup!! You have quite literally blown my mind ^_^
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Ok, here goes...
Do you use the same soil-mix for each species? If so, what does it consist of for the mels?
Have you grown any successfully from seed for bonsai?
That's it for now...I think...
- Pat
Do you use the same soil-mix for each species? If so, what does it consist of for the mels?
Have you grown any successfully from seed for bonsai?
That's it for now...I think...
- Pat
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Great Post Pup
Magic trees they are. I remember where we used to holiday on the central coast the place was full of tea tree of some variety,., Cannot remember what but seeing so many of your takes me back
Ken
Magic trees they are. I remember where we used to holiday on the central coast the place was full of tea tree of some variety,., Cannot remember what but seeing so many of your takes me back
Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
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How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
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What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
- Pup
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
G,day Pat Yes I use the same mix for all my tree's. Native and exotic.bonscythe wrote:Ok, here goes...
Do you use the same soil-mix for each species? If so, what does it consist of for the mels?
Have you grown any successfully from seed for bonsai?
That's it for now...I think...
- Pat
It consists of 2 parts of crushed granite 2 parts of Akadama and 1 part of coco peat ( as in choir peat from B#^*in~s )
The only difference is when I do for Shohin Shito and Mame size tree's then I use super fine Akadama and crushed gravel.
I have been fortunate enough not to have had to grow from seed. I have been successful with cuttings which I strike in the superfine gravel with coco peat at a 50% + 50% mix. I use polystyrene boxes with cling wrap or clear perspex over the top to maintain humidity. Hope this helps Pup
IN THE LIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED, ACHIEVEMENT IS WITHIN SIGHT
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
I am not a complete fool, some parts are missing
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Re: A tree for all zones and styles
Great work, Mr Pup!
It's nice to see all(?) your Mels in the one thread, as well as some photos of your collecting grounds. I look forward to seeing them (and the Pup clan) in the flesh in October - maybe one of your Mels will find it's way into my onboard luggage for the trip back to Melbourne...
Thanks!
Fly.
It's nice to see all(?) your Mels in the one thread, as well as some photos of your collecting grounds. I look forward to seeing them (and the Pup clan) in the flesh in October - maybe one of your Mels will find it's way into my onboard luggage for the trip back to Melbourne...
Thanks!
Fly.