Leptospermum scoparium 'burgundy queen' 1
Posted: September 24th, 2019, 11:26 am
Progression thread : Leptospermum scoparium 'burgundy queen' 1
This was purchased on 27.08.2016 in an 8inch pot from the Big Flower, at Ourimbah for $9.95
These have been one of my most rewarding projects. The bark, foliage and flowers are equally beautiful.
Tips for growing:
-Leave a lot of foliage on them at all times.
-Don't allow them to get bone dry. (although this subspecies has remarkably better drought tolerance than most people think. The only time I've lost them is from too much root removal, not by being left to dry out. And I have let them go bone dry before, but they eventually recovered.)
-Avoid wiring, clip-and-grow produces wonderful movement.
-They can grow okay in a heavy mix, but for best results I'd recommend a medium drainage mix (one that requires watering within about 48 hours on a partly sunny day), and I just use slow-release osmocote fertilizer.
-Best to avoid any root work when its below about 7 degrees overnight temps.
-They love water and don't seem bothered by having wet feet.
-They grow very well in both shade, semi-shade or full sun. But for me, best results were from semi-shade.
-Do not remove a lot of roots or foliage in one go ; do it slowly in stages, over a 5+ year period
-Do not use a strong spray hose/jet on the roots, as it can damage the outer layer of the root.
-When doing root work (removal), make sure you remove the flowers/buds straight afterwards.
-For the first ever root work you do, I would actually recommend just easing the roots apart and untangling them. Don't remove much root at this initial stage. You can then simply reduce the rootball over the years that follow.
-You can cut back branches hard, but I recommend cutting back half of the branching in one session, then next year cut back the other half. This ensures you have foliage for good health all year round. They shoot back really well from all areas right up to the cut. However, being only about 3-4 year old stock that I've trialled, I can't concur if they readily shoot back on old wood.
I probably wouldn't recommend this species to a beginner. They aren't too difficult, but you really have to resist the temptation to work them hard.
This photo was taken 20.09.2017
This photo was taken 23.09.2019
This was purchased on 27.08.2016 in an 8inch pot from the Big Flower, at Ourimbah for $9.95
These have been one of my most rewarding projects. The bark, foliage and flowers are equally beautiful.
Tips for growing:
-Leave a lot of foliage on them at all times.
-Don't allow them to get bone dry. (although this subspecies has remarkably better drought tolerance than most people think. The only time I've lost them is from too much root removal, not by being left to dry out. And I have let them go bone dry before, but they eventually recovered.)
-Avoid wiring, clip-and-grow produces wonderful movement.
-They can grow okay in a heavy mix, but for best results I'd recommend a medium drainage mix (one that requires watering within about 48 hours on a partly sunny day), and I just use slow-release osmocote fertilizer.
-Best to avoid any root work when its below about 7 degrees overnight temps.
-They love water and don't seem bothered by having wet feet.
-They grow very well in both shade, semi-shade or full sun. But for me, best results were from semi-shade.
-Do not remove a lot of roots or foliage in one go ; do it slowly in stages, over a 5+ year period
-Do not use a strong spray hose/jet on the roots, as it can damage the outer layer of the root.
-When doing root work (removal), make sure you remove the flowers/buds straight afterwards.
-For the first ever root work you do, I would actually recommend just easing the roots apart and untangling them. Don't remove much root at this initial stage. You can then simply reduce the rootball over the years that follow.
-You can cut back branches hard, but I recommend cutting back half of the branching in one session, then next year cut back the other half. This ensures you have foliage for good health all year round. They shoot back really well from all areas right up to the cut. However, being only about 3-4 year old stock that I've trialled, I can't concur if they readily shoot back on old wood.
I probably wouldn't recommend this species to a beginner. They aren't too difficult, but you really have to resist the temptation to work them hard.
This photo was taken 20.09.2017
This photo was taken 23.09.2019