Melaleuca decussata question

[PeterH]

I have 2 of the above variety of Melaleuca I am working on. My question; has anyone else worked or is working on this variety. If so is there any problems or hints for repotting and development you have found.

regards,

Peter

[kvan64]

Very nice! I don't have one in my collection but had never stopped looking for some.

[shibui]

I have been experimenting with a number of plants that are probably M. decussata (seed and cuttings collected from Graytown, Vic several years ago)

None of mine are as advanced as the one in Peter's picture but so far they have always produced new buds from bare wood when pruned. Have tolerated rootpruning without any problem when repotted in spring and early summer ( have not tried other times of the year yet. So far I'm rating it as an excellent species to work with.

[Greth]

I have a dwarf one currently ground growing, it was a nursery reject to start with and nearly died at one stage, growing strongly now and might be ready to lift and start styling next year

[kcpoole]

I also have one in the ground and when cut back it will shoot from bare wood.
The other one I had, died when I potted into a Bonsai Pot. Still have no idea why but maybe too off too much root?

Ken

[Pup]

I do not have this particular species, however in the Koreshoffs book on natives it features, as the one that started them on the hunt for it after seeing it in Florida USA.
They have explained how they treeated in there book on Australian natives which I found invaluable in growing natives.

Cheers Pup

Ps I like this one Peter, have not seen any thing like this any where in the west, but have not looked to hard might just change my thoughts on that now.

[PeterH]

Thanks for your responses. It looks positive for this variety. I will post a picture when it makes it into a Bonsai pot.

Regards,

Peter

[Greth]

Its a pretty little thing, both the species in general, and Peters one. Just took a bunch of cuttings and if I get some going I wont mind having a go at lifting mum for bonsai.

[PeterH]

Update.
It did make a Bonsai pot last year but I was not happy with it. This year I have potted it in what I think is a better pot.

Regards,

Peter

[Pup]

Very nice natural looking tree Peter, would not expect any thing less from you. Unfortunately I have not found one yet.

Cheers Pup

[PeterH]

Thank you Pup,

Still have plenty of work to be done.
I'm surprised they are not available in WA. This one was grown (in ground) for 3 years from tube stock.

Regards,

Peter

[kcpoole]

Lovely peter. Congrats to you.

Mine in the ground did not survive the repot, and have no found another yet.

Ken

[Ray M]

Hi Peter,
I really like the tree and the pot. I think both compliment each other very nicely.

Regards Ray

[ozzy]

Superb, I have some Decassuta that I started from seed, not much to show yet though, just fattening trunks at the moment.

[PeterH]

Good to see others working with this variety. I still have some issues with budding back on old wood which has caused my other decussata to become leggy. Also by not re-potting it regularly it has developed reverse taper . Layering it may be an option at this point. I have not done an air layer on this species so it will be interesting to see if it works.

The pot is a PK Pot.

Regards,

Peter