Bailey's Callistemon

[Bretts]

Found a pot at Leigh's that I think is an OK match for this tree. Last one I think was a bit small and maybe this one is a little big? I bare rooted the tree for the first time last September and although I thought it was not growing as strong as it could as it did not back bud as much as it had in the past. It seemed to have filled the pot again.
Sure had

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[Bretts]

The pot is an interesting one. Leigh said it came from a collection of trees back in the 60's but doesn't know any more than that. It has an ink stamp saying Clay Express Australia with a phone number 02 7265220 It also has a clay stamp on the side with the initials BEF. (you may see this in the pic, I would not usually put this to the front and not so sure why I did )
Hopefully Leigh is not too upset if we find where it comes from as he was very generous in selling it to me
It is an unusual shape in it is a more pointed oval than usual. I think it could suit the tree very well but I am not sure I got the angle or placement just right

[kcpoole]

Nice tree Brett, but you could have wiped shelbys' face before you too the photo. Looks like she was laying mud pies and ate some

Ken

[Bretts]

She did more than make mud pies She scrubbed the pot for the big elm and helped me hose it's roots. She also helped me put the soil in it's pot but made me feel a little mean as she wanted to know why I did not call her to see it get put in the pot

I actually wasn't going to show that pic or any others of it potted as I knew I didn't have a decent one but in the end I didn't want to disappoint by leaving ya's hanging and thought that was the most decent pic.

[Bretts]

Checked Pups thread on Bottle Brush pruning and see it is time to give them a hard cut back. I found this a little temperamental with directing the growth where I want last season. I have increased the fertiliser to about 1 and a half the normal dose weekly with some seasol and other tonics on a regular basis. I just clipped 99% of the new growth back to just a few leaves. Then I wired a few branches to make sure they where all getting lots of sun. Now I will just tip pinch through the growing season as Pup Suggests and see what happens.

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[mickaus]

Looking really nice.

I wish mine looked this good, I did some work to it at the wrong time of year and it has just been sulking ever since, but that will teach me to do without thinking or for that matter reading/researching

[Craig]

Hi Brett, Bailey's tree is looking great, keep up the good work,

[Bretts]

Glad you like

[Steven]

Looking good Brett! I thought you would have trimmed it back further. Any reason why?

For anyone growing Callistemon, Pup's post on pruning is really worth a read - Bottle Brush Pruning

Regards,
Steven

[Bretts]

Pup agrees o should have taken it back further. I just took all new growth back to a few leaves. Might not do what i want but going to leave for now and try and be diligent with tip pruning then see what happens.

[Pup]

Pup agrees o should have taken it back further. I just took all new growth back to a few leaves. Might not do what i want but going to leave for now and try and be diligent with tip pruning then see what happens.

G,day Brett, are you wanting flowers? if you are do not tip prune just let it grow. When do they flower in your area? Prune to shape 6 months before they flower.

Then tip prune as it looses its shape, remember Callistemon flower on NEW wood.

Now is a good time to start feeding with a good flowering fertiliser such as Yates fruit and flower.

Cheers Pup

[Bretts]

I mentioned earlier in the thread that i have never had flowers on this one. I sugested it may be too young comming from a forestry seedling. You did not agree. I was keen to follow your prunning tech to see if i got flowers. Seems I will now be deviating again so my main concern now will be seeing what i can learn and develope the tree.
The best result i can hope for now is strengthening inner buds.

[Bretts]

Well in no time at all 6 weeks I think, it needed another trim. Today I trimmed back 90% of all tips to varying degrees depending on strength and gave it a good wire. There is plenty of light getting into the tree so future development should be good.

Last year I had what I thought was a perfect plan for the crown with 4 perfectly positioned branches. It did not back bud in this area as well as I hoped. Today I took three of those branches back to bare wood hoping that they will now back bud better. I have a couple of other options if they die back but here's hoping
Dam apexes have been frustrating me for years. They should be the easy bit

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[bodhidharma]

Whoa, that is starting to trunk up well. Another few years of preening and pruning it will look the goods.

[MattA]

Hey Brett,

I love trees with a sotry & this one is extra special. Did you ever find out about the potter? I have one packed away with similar markings & have never been able to find any info on it.

Matt