[ANBITA] Leptospermum Brevipes (not confident on species)

[Steve Warren]

This multitrunk Lepto was collected in early October 2011. It is a hard species to get any real ramification, although it has only had one season in which to attempt. Hopefully I can acheive better ramification this season. I have started carving as there had been borers in two of the trunks and the thickest trunk had to have its height reduced. I have put in place two thread grafts to give me some foliage lower down at the back (was previously going to be the front). This season I ham hoping to get some density to the canopy, refine my carving (as well as char and lime sulphur)and continued to grow the thread grafts.
Height: 35cm
Width: 32cm

IMG_7937 today 27.6.12.jpg

IMG_5648as collected.jpg

IMG_67923 months.jpg

IMG_7253 threads grafts in place.jpg

Regards

Steve W

[GavinG]

That's a fine base to build on. I'd like to know your secrets when collecting - they're not that easy.

Gavin

[Steve Warren]

Hello Gavin

That's a fine base to build on. I'd like to know your secrets when collecting - they're not that easy.

Gavin

I have collected 5 of these Leptospermum, all the same species on that same day. 3 smaller ones and one single trunk that is a little large than this multi trunk.
They were dug in the middle of spring after some consistent rain. I wasn't particularly careful as this was my first dig and I was in a bit of a hurry. I wrapped some damp sphagnum moss around the roots that remained and put them in the car for the 1 hour drive home. 4 of the trees were put in any manner of pot I could find, using just a good quality potting mix and watered with seasol. The single trunk was put straight into the ground as I had run out of pots. 4 weeks later the one in the ground was lifted and put in a poly box. All 5 plants survived and grown well ever since. I have found this species really easy to collect considering my lack of collecting experience.
I think time of year and wet ground, and a little luck played a huge part. These were dug from under powerlines, cutting accross a friends property in the South Nowra area.

Regards

Steve W