Seed grown Melaleuca advice.

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jgmansell
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Seed grown Melaleuca advice.

Post by jgmansell »

Image

Two seed grown trees self fused at the base.
I know that the height is far too tall for the trunk diameter, but aren’t lots of natives like this naturally?
I know it would be improved by putting it into a shallower pot, but any ideas on future development would be appreciated.


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Rory
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Re: Seed grown Melaleuca advice.

Post by Rory »

jgmansell wrote: December 12th, 2020, 8:13 am
I know that the height is far too tall for the trunk diameter, but aren’t lots of natives like this naturally?
Its an old vestige that many native bonsai growers find hard to lose.
We've always been told that to create an aged looking tree that we need a thick chunky base. This is often not the case. Many of our natives have a thin trunk base diameter in proportion to the height of the tree. I think your bonsai has lovely proportions. Well done.

It also depends on the look you are going for. Many Mels as they age can develop nice thick bases, which shows great age....but in contrast, many eucs, casuarinas, and others etc can maintain a fairly tall and less thicker trunk, even as they age.
jgmansell wrote: December 12th, 2020, 8:13 am
I know it would be improved by putting it into a shallower pot, but any ideas on future development would be appreciated.
Placing natives into very shallow pots is not a good idea in my opinion. A few hot 40+ windy days.... and you have a shallow coffin.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
jgmansell
Aussie Bonsai Fan
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Posts: 111
Joined: February 15th, 2014, 11:18 am
Favorite Species: Ficus,Bougainvillea juniper
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Re: Seed grown Melaleuca advice.

Post by jgmansell »

Thanks Rory, they are only very young but nice to know they have potential.


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