WA Native branch advice

[Justin M]

Hi all,

A while back I found a lovely native in the bargain bin at Apace Nursery in Perth, they specialise in endemics and reveg etc. I'm embarrassed to say I forgot to ask the species and am yet to identify it (I will get around to it I swear). So it's another experiment but really it jumped out as a great windswept or semi cascade.

I think at least one branch has to go (especially as two cross over) though they all have their charm and it's hard to choose! Would love to hear people's thoughts on how they might approach it. The best aspect is it sweeping from right to left, I took shots of all angles though to give a good picture.

Cheers!

[Promethius]

I see why you like it. For me, the right-to-left in your first shot has more interest.

Keep in mind that nursery stock may not have the best nebari - perhaps have a look at the roots at repotting and let that guide you. Also, if you decide to put it in a large pot or the ground to thicken, you might find it looks much different in a few years, which changes your design entirely.

The species will be important here to guide how you can manage the foliage being all at the branch tips. Can you cut back safely and expect back budding? Hopefully a native guru here will recognise your tree.

Andy

[Justin M]

G'day Andy,

Thanks for the reply, that's a really good point about checking out the roots. I did slip it into this pot from the smaller nursery one but didn't think to check the nebari.

Also a great point to try and grow it out before making any rash decisions! Partly why I was itching to chop a branch was to use it as an experiment to see if it back budded if I cut it halfway, as you are right, the foliage is all at the ends. Maybe I still can but perhaps not such a major chop, cutting one of the thin branches closer to the leaves that won't the structure with those 4 main branches.

Thanks again,

Justin

[pyrohamish]

Thryptomene is the species. APACE website should help identify what they usually sell.

[shibui]

Great that you are trying a native for bonsai. Need to have more people working with local species.

I agree that windswept is probably the best option for the plant as it is.
Where branches cross there's 2 alternatives:
1. Move one or both so they do not cross.
2. Remove one or the other. In situations where it's difficult to decide which to cut I have come to a couple of conclusions. The reason it is difficult to decide is because both options are equally good. Where both options are equally good it does not matter which one we choose. Therefore, make a snap decision. If necessary toss a coin but make the decision. The tree will only advance when you make the decision and the cut. When the cut has been made, the decision you took will automatically be the correct one.

FWIW. I've only tried a few thryptomene here and that's well outside their natural habitat which may explain why they don't seem to do well for me. Have not been able to get buds on bare wood so far so I'll be interested to see if yours will do so should you choose to shorten one of those long branches.