AusBonsai

I dug this bottlebrush a few years ago but I do not know what particular species it is. The fact is I had to dig this one to get to another one I wanted so this is an extra, but I do like it.
It was "workshopped" a few years ago and it is now on the way to becoming a bonsai. I desperately need an appropriate pot for it, and I have been on the look out but as yet I haven't found its perfect match.
The photos are just a record of the December work I did on this tree.
PS - if anyone has a pot, I'm interested!

Hi Watto,
If this was the 'extra' I would love to see the tree you wanted.
When you dig do you take the original soil? If you do when do replace it with bonsai soil?
Cheers,
Symon

I do take some soil from where it was dug if I can and then at each repot I try to replace it, a bit at a time. It does take a while(5 or 6 years, give or take) but it is all part of the journey.
Here is a closeup of the flower this year.

Looking great Watto!
I'll be in tune for the updates

If you can get to Canberra for Bonsai Week, I suspect you'll have a wealth of choices when it comes to pots, if the Sunday Pot show is going to be on.

That is a fine looking bottlebrush, and I suspect would look great in a rough hewn Aussie pot.

With the narrow leaves and red flowers I'd propose Callistemon subulatus for this one Watto.

I also like what you have done with it

This tree is supposed to give the coastal windswept look.
Thankyou Shibui for the ID, I look it up and you could very well be correct (I had to look up awl though).
Mel, for the pot I am thinking Aussie, maybe even crescent shaped? But it has to have character. When it gets a repot I may update.

The tree I was trying to get to was a "Little John" and here is a photo. It has been moved on and I hope the new owner is very happy with it as it has great potential.
The reason to re-open this post is simply because it is time to have another look at this bonsai. I thought you might be interested in how it looked after I first dug it in 2012, so here is a photo.

I think it looks better now and over the next few weeks as it develops its flowering I will post another photo or two, but for now here is a close-up of the bark which shows some maturity.

Very Nice

Its that time of the year so here it is.
I have a new pot for this and a re-pot is happening in the next few days.

Beautiful tree, Watto!

Yippee!

Great Solid tree Watto , flowers look fantastic . Well done.

Thanks for this thread Watto. Excellent to see the progression and the patience you show in slowly reducing the root mass.

I rescued a calli recently - after a neighbour had dug it up and cast it aside. My rescue mission may have been too late but I hope not because your tree is giving me great hope if it survives!


Bonsai teaches me patience.