Melaleucas tenacity

[Pup]

As most of you know I am passionate about Melaleuca's I have a thread at the moment on there zone's and style's which they cover all.

Now I will show you there tenacity to survive. I must apologize for the quality of the pic's they were re sized for another site that would only allow about 75 kb's
( aren't these new comer's to the world of computers good at making excuses ), but that is the truth also on a small Nikon.

Now for the story proper.
In December 2004 Sue and I went down to our son's place in Denmark South West of Perth for the Holidays. Automatic retic was working fine.
We had our neighbour check the house and as part of the retic serves the front yard he could see it was OK. What we did not bank on was a heat wave along with very strong winds.
What happened to Houdini feature's in 360 should not happen to a dog. All other tree's were fine. The sprinkler on the end of the line you've guessed it, did not work it had some how got too an angle that did not spray out far enough, for Houdini and a semi cascade juniper.
That funny enough was not harmed by the strong wind's and lack of water.
Well there was Panic alright this tree was a best in show tree. Awarded by Lindsay Bebb on behalf of the President of Bonsai Clubs International.

Sue and I were devastated to say the least any other tree. Well I sighed not cried. So what to do well water is what you give something or someone when they are dry.
But slowly via a spray so fortunately I could do this. Any way here are some pictures, to show what happened.
First one show the tree when we saw it first. On the first of January 2005.

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[Grant Bowie]

Thats an extreme way to defoliate a tree!!!

[Bretts]

Did ya go to church on Sunday to say thank you.

[Pup]

Page two these were taken 10 minuets ago. There has been more since the first time , but not as severe
At the last show of our club in May this year I had some helper's ( they were in a hurry to pack up ) the first branch on the left got shortened again by 100mm.
So this poor SOB has had more truama than you can poke a stick at . Yet he is still in there fighting. I think he is winning . Pup

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[Grant Bowie]

Hi Pup,

that is a most amazing story, tree and recovery from hell. (Good pics as well).

It is hard to imagine anything else recovering so quickly in just a matter of weeks and then to see it in all its recovered glory in so few months.

Patience, technique and artistry have all paid off big time.

Congratulations

[Pup]

Hi Pup,

that is a most amazing story, tree and recovery from hell. (Good pics as well).

It is hard to imagine anything else recovering so quickly in just a matter of weeks and then to see it in all its recovered glory in so few months.

Patience, technique and artistry have all paid off big time.

Congratulations

Thank you for that Grant it certainly a labour of love for ths tree as I said it is one of our favorite tree's. Seeing as that was the first time that award had been presented in Australia. Which was in Fremantle in 2001at the AABC convention. Which is to held there again in 2011.
So Houdini will have some work to do for that show.

[Asus101]

Amazing trunk.... nothing else I can say..