Vintage red from Bunnings

[Paulneill]

I picked up this expensive grafted gum tree and was wanting to get some advice or additional info or suggestions on the tree. Apparently it’s a brand new species created. I believe the root stock is from sweet gum. No idea what the top is. Anyway it looks great with red bark and foliage, it has a very delicate growth habit almost like a deciduous tree. I’m gona have a crack at developing it into a bonsai. I would like to allow it to grow to beef it up and eventually reduce the root system to allow me to put it in a shallow container. I’ve killed nearly every gum tree I ever root pruned so I’m planning to not kill this one. Anyone have any idea how rough I can be on this without killing it? I’m aware of gum tree after care practice such as leaving them very wet for a couple of weeks.

[Paulneill]

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[Dendrophile Dave]

Hi Paul, it's a variant of Eucalyptus cladocalyx (commonly known as Sugar Gum), they have been around for a while and are poorly regarded in the horticultural industry (overly marketed but under performing). I'm not aware of its use as bonsai but i wouldn't hold out much hope due to its lack of vigour and at times short life expectancy, but you may find some info on the parent species E.cladocalyx
Good luck and cheers!

[shibui]

Looks like Vintage red is usually grafted onto the parent species - E. cladocalyx which has the common name of Sugar gum. I guess it's not too far from sugar to sweet however sweet gum usually refers to Liquidamber which is a completely different genus in a very different family.
Another of the perils of common names.

[GavinG]

I can get away with more root work with a Euc in mid-summer. Certainly frequent water, maybe even a 3cm water bath for the first couple of weeks. Good luck - the foliage certainly looks interesting.

Gavin

[Paulneill]

Thanks guys. Hopefully it’s not a total wast of money. I will see how it goes.

[BirchMan]

I saw one of these at Bunnings Malaga and thought about it for a shade tree... even at that price. But might go another Silver Princess instead.

[tgward]

from the comments it sounds like a learning phase -- please keep us posted on this