[ Natural] callistemon saligna - Squizzy

[squizzy]

Hi all

This is a callistemon saligna purchased as tube stock at plants plus pennant hills for $3.75

When purchased it was about 400 mm out of the pot. It was selected for its slight deviation in the trunk line and it’s reasonable taper.

The tube stock was cut back to 150mm high and the roots by about 50%. It is now potted in straight akadama and has spent about 4 weeks in a filtered sun area to recover. New growth has since emerged and I feel confident to move it into the sun.

Let’s see if I can keep this and the others alive.

Squizzy

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[KIRKY]

Don’t forget to put your name in the title Squizzy.
Cheers
Kirky

[squizzy]

Cheers Kirky.

Fixed now.

If I was told to pick one word to describe myself I’d go with “ doesn’t follow instructions very well”

Squizzy

[KIRKY]

Thats five words

Cheers
Kirky

[Redsonic]

I have a couple of these I rescued from a drain a few years ago. I think they are more correctly called Melaleuca salicina now? One of the cultivated strains is called Great Balls of Fire.

Mine have responded well to pruning and root work, seem relatively resistant to Myrtle rust, and have lovely fissured bark which develops on quite young branches. I am having trouble with internode length and leaf size though. Each new bud seems to open out into a package of 8 or so (reddish) leaves, which elongate out before you know it. I have been tip pruning just as the bud opens up, but not seeing much ramification yet.

If you have any tips for me, or discover a good pruning regime as you develop this one, I would love to hear from you Squizzy.

[squizzy]

That’s a few good tips thanks Redsonithis one was labelled red flowering also. I did see the melaleuca name when googling it but didn’t bother.

Squizzy

[Redsonic]

I think the natural form is white/cream flowering. At least, the parent tree I identified my seedlings from was.
The "Great Balls of Fire" name comes from the really red new growth. I am sure there could be some red flowering cultivars about, but I suspect if you bought tube stock from a native nursery, yours is probably white flowering too.
I will watch this thread with interest.

[squizzy]

Here’s the label Redsonic. Not that I’m guaranteed to get a red flowering tree.

Squizzy

[squizzy]

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[Redsonic]

Excellent. Red flowers would look great. I am sure it will be a lovely tree in your hands, Squizz

[melbrackstone]

Oh, it didn't hit me, I have one of those "Great Balls of Fire" trees too. I was under the impression the flowers were insignificant, but that the new red growth was the selling point. I'll follow this with interest, especially since yours is meant to have red flowers!

[squizzy]

Update for this one. Slow and steady wins the race hey. Soooooo slooooow

Squizzy

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[squizzy]

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I almost lost this one after a watering system malfunction

Glad to just have it alive.

Squizzy

[squizzy]

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Although there is no noticeable difference from my last update this tree has had its sacrifice branch in autumn. It has fattened substantially at the base. I think it has bad attributes for shohin so will probably become a larger tree if I choose to keep it.