AusBonsai

bonsaiworld wrote:OWNED AND TRAINED: Carole

Height: 45cm
Width: 42cm
Age: Unknown, about 8 to 10 years
In Training: 4 years
Grows on: the Gold Coast

HISTORY: I think this one is a ‘Melaleuca bracteata – Revolution Gold. It totally fits the description of this variety: eg has bright golden foliage; bears profuse small creamy white flowers; new spring growth appears as a pinkish red and quickly matures to a beautiful gold. It is an absolute water lover to the extent that it suffered massive die back during the drought in late 2007.

I am unsure of the age of the tree which I originally bought as 2 year old tube stock around 6 to 8 years ago. It was transferred to a 200 cm pot and neglected for some time. In about 2004 it was heavily wired to get movement in the trunk and branches. I purposely tried to keep it on the small side so I could have it inside when it flowered and also enjoy the beautiful spring colour of the foliage.

I was disappointed in late 2007 when I had obviously not watered it sufficiently and due to the hot dry conditions half the tree died off. What was left was such an awful shape
that I didn’t do anything with it for a couple of years.

My interest rekindled after I read in a gardening book that this variety loves water and thrives naturally alongside waterways. From then on I have sat the tree in a shallow water tray and it has thrived.

In November 2009 I did the first rewire on what had regrown or remained from the disaster in 2007. I love this little tree, it has lots of movement, is quite delicate in appearance and it changes with the seasons, from pink tips in early spring to bright yellow foliage during the year and fluffy white flowers in late spring.

The worst problem to watch out for in our warm climate is caterpillars who make a webby type nest in the tree and can almost strip the foliage in a couple of days. I have controlled them with Confidor or whenever possible I remove them by hand.

It is a hardy plant if provided with ample water, plenty of light, fresh air and a little fertiliser. In autumn I give it some Sulphate of Potash to promote flowers and strengthen the roots. Other times it has Seasol or Dynamic Lifter.