AusBonsai

As seems to be the pattern I picked up one of these after seeing it on the cover of Bonsai with Australian Native Plants by Dorothy & Vida Koreshoff. I was at a hardware store that had a tiny native plant section and this was one of the plants there, so I grabbed it.

There are a couple of threads on this but no real success stories - does anyone have one, or additional tips on avoiding failure?

I think the plant I have would definitely suit a cascade style as on the book cover.

Here's a shot of the cover for those wondering ... Never tried this species so have nothing to input other than ... clearly bonsai with them is possible, it made the cover!
Good luck with it, wouldn't mind seeing a few more posts as things progress (with any luck).

Like you I admired that cascade on the cover of Koreshoff's book.
I've tried these a few times now but none have thrived for me. All have died after a couple of years but I still have not pinpointed the reasons for the disappointing performance.
Good luck with your attempts. I'll look forward to your progress.

Yep I was one of the failures as well.
Can't remember why either?

Thanks all for the interest. I'm a bit concerned that those with much more experience than me haven't had much luck with this one but I'll see how I go!

This morning I lifted it out of the pot; it's quite pot bound but I only gave it a very light root prune just to fit it into a slightly shallower pot. I cut off a thick branch that I won't need and repotted it at a slightly different angle. I'll leave it to settle for the time being.

The Koreshoff book says that cuttings take reasonably easily, so I took a few and put them in my new tiny greenhouse to see how they go.

Cuttings are easy. I can grow new plants no problem. We have also had a couple in the garden for more than 10 years no problems apart from being a bit straggly at times. My only problem comes after extended time in the pot but I haven't worked out whether it is not enough root pruning, too much root pruning, nutrition or lack of, too little water, too much water, wrong soil, too much sun, too much shade, or something else.

Good to see you've narrowed it down Neil.

Raging Bull wrote:Good to see you've narrowed it down Neil.

Greg - good to see you’re managing the addiction well too.... just a little greenhouse with misting capabilities - it’s an entree before taps, timers, solar and battery back ups and a larger greenhouse.


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MJL wrote: ↑January 23rd, 2020, 1:28 pm

Raging Bull wrote:Good to see you've narrowed it down Neil.

Greg - good to see you’re managing the addiction well too.... just a little greenhouse with misting capabilities - it’s an entree before taps, timers, solar and battery back ups and a larger greenhouse.

Already planning to put together a temperature / humidity sensor to automatically turn on the misters. Electronics, programming and plants - that's a tick in every box!

I haven't done much with this, but it's putting out a pretty decent display for spring.

That's looking lovely! (I had no luck with the one I tried back in the 90's)

Yippee.. it loves you...it really loves you!

Wow thats impressive change from the first post! well done

A bit of a haircut after some design direction from the lovely Matt S (thanks Matt!). This was on Tuesday, and it's already covered in tiny new leaves.

A little while ago I came to a realisation that I'm sure hits many newbies - I had way too many trees (or sticks/stumps in pots). I sold off everything I could stand to lose, and with what I couldn't bare to part with I went a bit aggressive on the root pruning. If it survives then it's definitely a keeper, if it dies then it's weak and must be eliminated!

Unfortunately for the rulingia it ended up being in the latter group. I did inadvertently go a bit too hard on it so it's not too surprising. All the leaves died off and it did start putting out some new leaves, but those got burnt off in the recent warm weather we've had - most of the recent repots I've done have been in shade but I forgot about this one and left it out in full sun.

I quite liked the look of this plant so I'll probably give it another go if I come across it in a nursery again.