AusBonsai

Hi,

As I mentioned in another thread, just taking some pics of tree's progress (or lack thereof).
It appears I've had this tree for a couple of years now and whilst nothing to write home about.....
The delicate fine foliage, bark and absolutely delightful little purple flowers are a treat.

From a Bonsai perspective i've not seen it backbud but it does grow well even in the small pot it's in.
Pics are from purchase to right now in order.

Hi Boics Beautiful little flowers . Worth growing for them alone. Cheers John .

Gday Boics . I started one too . Mine is yet to flower and I didn't realize the color was purple , I will have to stop pruning it so early and enjoy the flowers .
Cheers Craig

I have a few buds on some of mine too - but not many this year. I think I may have pruned too much or too late last autumn, We will need to identify what time of year to stop trimming so the shoots can mature and flower the following spring.

Thanks for the comments guys.
I've had this on the dinner table to admire the flowers and think a new angle, wire and trim is on the cards.
Neil, if I'm not mistaken I actually think this is one of your derelict kids from BSV show a few years back!

Regarding flowers, they are a little sparse this year and have been touch and go for the past few.
Once flowering is complete and the new growth has hardened off I'm going to cut back pretty hard, repot and wire.
I'll probably let it just go/grow from there and see what next year brings from a flowering perspective?
I suspect it may improve.

Hello Boics,

Beautiful little shrub.

A question please in relation to the pruning technique on the Kunzea and probably other similar natives with the dense fine regrowths.
Is it advisable to be specific with the branch / twig removal as in the 2 + 2 methodology adopted for exotics?
Or is a less stringent method of removal better for the plant?

Thanks,
Kevin

Hello Kevin.

Very very very good question.

I've pondered this over the relatively short time I've had this tree.
I think the answer is certainly subjective but with reference to nature Kunzea Parvifolia is predominantly a "small to medium woody shrub".
A google search brings up the following images:




Really I can't see any typical 2*2 method ever working with such fine twiggy growth.
I think letting it do it's natural "thing" with multiple upright strands being the way forward.
I've even considered cutting the top half off this tree and just elongating sideways into an open "bush".
I do thin out sections though from time to time which will involve removing 3rd twiglets.
Note that mine is only a very small shohin of around 20cm.

Once again this is purely subjective and I'm sure one could attempt some "standard" Bonsai styling with which I've no doubt would look impressive however stretched the image is from nature..

A google search also delivered this ripper from Shibui which is in my opinion a fantastic interpretation of Bonsai style and what one might see of this species in the wild.



link here: http://shibuibonsai.com.au/myrtleford-ap-show/

I wish i had started these earlier in my career boics as i think they have great potential. Ramification and lots of twiggy growth would seem to be the key if you get flowers like that last picture.

Thanks Boics

Kevin