[Natural] Melaleuca ericafolia - Swamp Paperbarks - MJL(2)

[Ryceman3]

Yeah, I get it. There’s something in the “breaking” that feels more relaxed and a little less formal, which seems to suit a lot of the native species quite well, in many ways I could also envisage it working with pines.
My comment wasn’t really to contrast your technique... more of a joke that is designed to cover my arse when things go pear shaped with my own technique! Breaking/tearing/ripping (whatever) is definitely valid and I have done it, resulting in some pretty interesting stuff as the affected area heals and repairs. Mostly I use it to integrate jin into trunks etc... but it is just as effective for live branching for sure.

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

Yeah, I get it. There’s something in the “breaking” that feels more relaxed and a little less formal, which seems to suit a lot of the native species.

There is something deliciously sinister about snapping a live branch deliberately with your hands.
I'm another one that uses this "technique" and works well on callistemon.
Your native groups are taking on a well rugged appearance MJ.

[MJL]

The swampy’s got a repot today too.






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[MJL]

Here's my April update for the swampy's. In truth they struggled after the repot and the I lot a could but... they are bouncing back now and I am stoked with the wild nature of this grouping.

they look sparse because I wanted to trim back and then allow them to grow all Autumn and through early spring. This way I should get another trim in before the competition closes.

These trees get a heap of water now that they have recovered - I find it interesting that some trunks are ghostly white whole others are developing interesting bark. Sometime back, I got all experimental and bent branches back into the soil ... I am glad I did ... I think this unusual but somehow is it feels abour as natural as my current skills allow .... nothing can replicate nature but this is nuts enough to get close.

Minimal wires, albeit you'll see some in the second photo bending sm=oe small limbs up the top which needed some movement to be congruent ... at least in my opinion.

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[MJL]

Here’s my entry for the old deadline of these swampy’s. There was one tree bothering me - left-side middle that was too much of a corkscrew and so I have anchored it down for a much better bend, I think. This is really quite hard to photograph but it is wonderfully complex - albeit young - and I hold much hope for the future of this group. It’s a toss of the coin for me whether I prefer this or the river red gums. At present, this needs more growth as I probably went too hard prior to the deadline. Anyway - another really enjoyable entry to play around with.





The tallest tree in this group is around 45 cm.


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[GavinG]

Most un-tidy. I'm sure it will reward you for many years.

Gavin

[MJL]

Six weeks later - another haircut!





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[MJL]

I have loved this competition - thanks for getting us all involved!Here’s my final entry for this group.
I need to be careful, I think this Tapatalk (free) app only allows a certain number of photos and I need to update the gums too - so I may add some more if I can make it work. I feel really good about these swampy’s and I think the twists and turns appear random … probably more by luck than good judgement!






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[MJL]

A couple more in the afternoon light with some water drops for good measure.




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[Promethius]

I love this one, MJL. Warped and spooky, with great depth and a cool pot. Can’t wait to see the ongoing progression from here!

[MJL]

Thanks Prometheus - it was remiss of me not to mention that pots for these trees and my river gum entry are both from Tracy at Murrumbung Studio.


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