Lilly Pilly group

LillY Pilly
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delisea
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Lilly Pilly group

Post by delisea »

I have a hedge that has hundreds of self sown whips under it. What to do with them? Last year I put a bunch in a pot for a group planting.
sept 2016.jpg
It wasn't working so I made a change this year.
dec 2017.jpg
Group plantings are surprisingly hard to do. Any criticism or advice welcome.
Cheers,
Symon
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by Max »

I think that is fantastic what you've put it in, just wondering how your going to stop the rot tho? maybe resin the dish and drainage holes? love the fern add-age. To me it seems to need 3 trees a little bit thinner than the main, 1 to the left, 1 just behind to the side of the main and 1 leaning where you have wired the second one on the right, that one is perfect just needs to be a little thicker. Great job :tu:
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by Nate.bonsai »

I agree - subject to your solution to stop the wooden vessel from rotting - that looks wicked cool.

Re the forest itself, I noticed that there is a mix of trunks that appear dead straight and some that you have given some movement. I would find it more harmonious if all had the same feel and had at least a little movement introduced. Doesn't have to be completely uniform, but they would all/most likely display similar growing characteristics if in the same environment.


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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by robb63 »

Hi delisea
I love what you have done with the old log. IMO it doesn't matter how long it lasts.
It looks great so enjoy it When it finally rots out change it to another cool container
cheers
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by Boics »

Love the effort.
Agree with comments above and would also say to grow out for extra trunk width this season.
Then cut back for taper on all trees, I think this will help with impression of age and perspective.
LP grow super fast so won't be long until it's back to a presentable level.
Last edited by Boics on December 2nd, 2017, 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by Thymetraveller »

That is a really interesting and imaginative planting!
:cool:
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by boom64 »

Hi Symon ,
What a fantastic arrangement, well done. The one thing I notice is maybe the no 1 tree appears a little top heavy but apart from that I think it is a real cracker and can only get better. Looking forward to future updates. Cheers John.
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by delisea »

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful input. These criticisms are really useful. I will reassess with these points in mind. More movement is what I'm hearing. There are some straight trunks that might come out completely.

Regarding the wood they are planted on, I'm pretty sure that it is Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) which should last 10 year + in ground. However with daily watering it is showing signs of softening. I will try hardening it up this Autumn. I have found a product called Paraloid B-72 used in museums as a preservative. I have found some magnificent wood 'pots' that I would like to use in the future.

BTW I do have a live Turpentine on the go. Has anybody else tried it as a bonsai?
Cheers,
Symon
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by delisea »

Taking on board your observations I have made some adjustments. One trunk has been removed and movement created in most of the trees. I thought tree 1 was a little too big so I lowered the trees on the far left and right. This should create a greater angle up to tree 1, making a weakness a strength.
The top heaviness that John (Boom64) observed I think will change as I reduce leaf size/defoliate.
I was playing the long game on trunk thickness rather than have chop scars. However I see the point with variation in thickness; one thick tree and everything else is the same. Some sacrificial branches might fix this.
redesign dec 2017.jpg
All criticism (no matter how harsh) is welcome.
Cheers,
Symon
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by James W »

Looks great!
Has much progress taken place with it so far?
I’ve just recently obtained a LP and I’m really looking forward to working with it.

Cheers,
JW
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delisea
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Re: Lilly Pilly group

Post by delisea »

Hi JW,

It almost died in an automatic watering breakdown when I was on holiday. It development has slowed as a start working on refinement. I will post a pic when I get a chance.

Great species to work on, they take a lot of punishment.
Cheers,
Symon
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