Kunzea ericoides

[Rory]

Progression thread: Kunzea ericoides

Kunzea ericoides

This is an adorable species. I purchased this from a native nursery in 2020ish i think, for about $15
It is incredibly hardy and tolerates a heavy root removal.
The possums continually target it, but it just powers on. Mrytle rust has absolutely no effect on it.

K. ericoides 1-01 8Feb2020.jpg

8 Feb 2020

K. ericoides 1-02 10Jan2022.jpg

10 Jan 2022

[Rory]

Just repotted and trimmed a little. Eventually the top leader will be completely removed, to leave a more flaring tree.

I realize its not quite yet 01.01.2023, but its easier to post that its 2023, so looking back people can easily distinguish that its a year apart. Its only 1 day before the actual date.

K. ericoides 1-03 01Jan2023.jpg

01Jan2023

[Rory]

K. ericoides 1-04 03Nov2023.jpg.jpg

03Nov2023

This has been placed into a bonsai pot by Sam Miller (USA).

Fantastic species for bonsai this one.

[Rory]

This has had to move pots, as my daughter claimed the pot it was previously in.
These really are very hardy. This wasn't doing so well, as I had failed to notice that a caterpillar had eaten all the new growth and the mix was a bit slow draining for coming into winter. So when I changed pots I gave it a fresh mix.
It looked a bit sick after having had so much foliage eaten, but it bounced back within a fortnight. Amazingly tough little critters these.

K. ericoides 1-05 16May2024.jpg

16May2024

[Hanro]

Hi Rory,

I have been told this are endemic to NZ not native to Australia.
What are your thoughts as I have bought some recently from an Australian native nursery.

Regards,

Peter

[Rory]

Hi Rory,

I have been told this are endemic to NZ not native to Australia.
What are your thoughts as I have bought some recently from an Australian native nursery.

Regards,

Peter

Yeah you’re right. I guess it’s the pavlova of flora. I think people used to think it was, and now it’s classified as kiwi.
I didn’t realize that.

I almost gave up on it, as I don’t find it to be really attractive foliage. But this particular tree is now too cute for me to give up.