AusBonsai

Progression thread : Allocasuarina torulosa 31

I Purchased this fantastic material from Leong at Bonsai South on 9th November 2014
Cost $30

This is an attempt at growing a more natural style of Casuarina.
In my opinion it wont be anything special for another 5-10 years or so, but I'm just starting this progression thread now.
It has been ground grown for the last 2 years and still being grown in the ground. It has basically had continual trunk chops and cutting back.


This photo was taken 09.11.2014



This photo was taken 30.04.2015



This photo was taken 27.07.2016 (placed into large 12 inch orchid pot)



This photo was taken 17.03.2017

That really is a great base!

The branches have thickened up nicely and now look like they belong to the trunk so I assume that the next step is to try to build ramification? What else are you aiming at in the next

5-10 years or so,

?

What is this bit Rory?

It has been ground grown for the last 2 years and still being grown in the ground.

The photos show that it has been, and is still, in a pot

shibui wrote:The branches have thickened up nicely and now look like they belong to the trunk so I assume that the next step is to try to build ramification? What else are you aiming at in the next

5-10 years or so,

?

What is this bit Rory?

It has been ground grown for the last 2 years and still being grown in the ground.

The photos show that it has been, and is still, in a pot

When I say ground grown, I mean I leave the orchid pots sitting on the ground and usually within a few weeks the roots start to grow into the ground. You can't lift the pot without cutting the roots.

Well, I still want more height on it so a lot more trunk chops and cutting back branches really. Not much more. I will slowly develop the ramification over the years as well yes.

A. torulosa is a difficult species to work with because for me it thickens more than cunninghamiana/glauca. Obviously you need to let the branch grow long if you want it thicker and cut quickly if you want it kept thinner. But it's a fine line between promoting more shoots and not allowing enough for good vigour. I think I'm getting better at it but time will tell.
The lowest branch only appeared in the last 6 months but it's a great compliment to the tree.

I would like a few more branches to appear so I'm just playing the waiting game at the moment. This is one of my favourite casuarinas that I'm growing.

It's good to see trees, Rory....or is it I'm just not here often enough!
Still, only another hundred.... two hundred?...trees before you start running out of pots!!?!!

Sorry you're not making it to Canberra, Rory,
Pat

Pat K wrote:It's good to see trees, Rory....or is it I'm just not here often enough!
Still, only another hundred.... two hundred?...trees before you start running out of pots!!?!!

Sorry you're not making it to Canberra, Rory,
Pat

Hi Pat,

Funny you mention that. I am actually cutting down on my trees... and my pots I have placed all my most treasured pots of yours and Maries and others in storage, so when the trees are ready in about 5+ years, I'll take them out of storage. Most of the casuarina will be put into your magnificent pots. But pots that I own that I'm probably never going to use I think I'm just going to sell or give away. The trees are taking up too much time and straining my time with my family and life, so I have to really cut back on how many I have. My goal is to have under 100.

I am in Newcastle for just about the entire week for my 40th birthday, which is unfortunately the bonsai week in Canberra and I have both kids at the start, but I am still trying to see if there is somehow I can get there. I really want to see you and the pots, Pat. So does Bowie.
We have a lot of family stuff going on at the moment.

This photo was taken 01.05.2018

Theres not much to report on this one. It had suffered an ant infestation about 5 months prior, so it took a step back, but is growing profusely again. Its eventual plan is probably about 2.5 times the height shown.

Ill probably wait until October/November to give this a trunk chop. But the next trunk chop will be much higher up. I prefer taller casys, its a personal taste.

This photo was taken 28.02.2019