Wollemi as bonsai?

User avatar
buddaboy
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 195
Joined: January 8th, 2009, 2:27 pm
Favorite Species: Figs, Flowering Apricot, Bougainvillea
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Gladstone Central Queensland
Been thanked: 1 time

Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by buddaboy »

Hi, has anybody had much to do with Wollemi Pines? EG do they come back from hard pruning, how touchy are the roots to trimming etc. My local Nursery has a beutiful one I think I could bonsai down, but for the price I am worried about survivability :lol: :lol: .

Thanks,
Buddaboy
I am the black sheep of the Bonsai world.
User avatar
MelaQuin
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1340
Joined: November 7th, 2008, 2:16 pm
Favorite Species: olives & natives
Bonsai Age: 20
Bonsai Club: Illawarra Bonsai Society, Bonsai Society of A
Location: St George Area, Sydney Australia
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by MelaQuin »

They have large compound leaves that would mean you would need to consider a very large bonsai. I understand they have an irritating habit of suddenly dropping a branch - which doesn't do a great deal for styling - even worse if you are in the bush under the branch when it falls. With the wealth of trees we have to work with, both conventional and unconventional, I think you could choose more favourable species.
User avatar
buddaboy
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 195
Joined: January 8th, 2009, 2:27 pm
Favorite Species: Figs, Flowering Apricot, Bougainvillea
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Gladstone Central Queensland
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by buddaboy »

Thanks for that Mel, the one in my local is about 7 foot tall, so no problems making a large bonsai. More interesting is that they drop branches? This is why I asked the question.

Thanks again,
BB
I am the black sheep of the Bonsai world.
User avatar
Webos
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1206
Joined: July 15th, 2009, 12:05 pm
Favorite Species: Juniper
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Southern Vic Bonsai Club
Location: Southern Vic

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Webos »

How much does a Wollemi that large go for at the nurseries?
User avatar
NathanM
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1010
Joined: January 6th, 2009, 8:26 am
Favorite Species: ficus, taxodium, pinus
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Brisbane
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by NathanM »

I'm going to do a couple one day. But the local nurseries haven't had any stock for a while. I know they might be tricky and a bit difficult, but I think they are awesome trees.
User avatar
Glenda
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 980
Joined: January 10th, 2010, 12:44 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus, Swamp Cypress, Bouganvillea,
Bonsai Age: 2
Bonsai Club: Mackay Bonsai Club
Location: Mackay, Qld
Contact:

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Glenda »

Webos wrote:How much does a Wollemi that large go for at the nurseries?
Our local nursery has one that size and they want $200 for it. Not sure if that is the going price or if they are dreaming. They don't do all that well in our hot climate, so they can keep it. :)
"Knowledge is not a heavy thing to carry around" - JB Taylor (my father)
"The more you learn the more you earn" - JB Taylor
"There are exceptions to every rule, but to be an exception, you must first be exceptional" - Me
User avatar
anttal63
Bend me twist me
Bend me twist me
Posts: 5325
Joined: November 11th, 2008, 12:32 pm
Bonsai Age: 14
Bonsai Club: MYCLUB
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by anttal63 »

Unfortunately something that height doesnt mean it has girth. they are riduculously priced for what you get. Still new on the market so understandable. I'm not convinced they're a winner for bonsai. :D
Regards Antonio:
User avatar
buddaboy
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 195
Joined: January 8th, 2009, 2:27 pm
Favorite Species: Figs, Flowering Apricot, Bougainvillea
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Gladstone Central Queensland
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by buddaboy »

I think the trunk is about 3.5 inches across, I would of course reduce the height somewhat. :lol: Glenda, From memory 200-250 is the going rate and the nursery had 5 of them so someones paying it. For mysely I have some issues with spending that sort of money on something I will probably kill. :oops:

:lol: :lol:
BB
I am the black sheep of the Bonsai world.
User avatar
Jamie
Bonsai passionardo
Bonsai passionardo
Posts: 6829
Joined: August 21st, 2009, 8:08 pm
Favorite Species: CLERO!!!,ficus, celtis, juniper, elms
Bonsai Age: 9
Bonsai Club: AUSBONSAI.COM
Location: queensland, Hervey Bay
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Jamie »

BB personally i wouldnt bother, i have seen a couple of so called wollemi pine bonsai and i dont think i could call it bonsai :? :shock: :? (this might get contraversial) i think that the way they are it is just not worth it, a species that was thought to be extinct for how long then found growing in a canyon for years unfound until what 10 year ago now? hmmmm, dropping branches, compound leaves, possibly not tolerant to your local temp? they might be doing alright in the nursery, they could also be keeping them watered four times a day :shock: do they have them in some sort of shade? they are native to a more southern climate arent they?
it makes you wonder why they werent found until not long ago again in a deep canyon :?: it would of had a very intricate micro clime, i am actually amazed they have been able to get them to propagate to a point where they sell them in nurseries now, i have seen a few in the local nurseries quite small asking a fortune because they were so rare at a certain time in life (thought to be extinct at one stage).
with that sort of money if it was me i would be spending it on some quality stock that i know will survive in my climate :) JMO :)


jamie :)
SHOHIN YAKUZA!!!
:twisted: taking the top half of trees of since 2005! :twisted:
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans :D
User avatar
Leigh Taafe
Maverick
Maverick
Posts: 1436
Joined: November 14th, 2008, 9:22 am
Bonsai Age: 36
Bonsai Club: NBPCA
Location: Canberra, Australia
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 16 times
Contact:

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Leigh Taafe »

I have made a couple as bonsai, and while they looked ok for a fairly immature bonsai, I still dont rate the material as "good quality" for bonsai. Grant Bowie has been doing some experimental pruning on a few to see how they respond, he might be able to give you a better insight, as my work was all styling of raw material into an "acceptable" bonsai for customers who felt they "needed" a wollemi bonsai !!!
Cheers,
Leigh.
User avatar
astroboy76
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 465
Joined: July 27th, 2009, 2:16 pm
Favorite Species: Prunus, Malus, Quince, Elms
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: Sydney

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by astroboy76 »

wollemi pines are currently for sale at bunnings in alxeandria, nsw and bankstown nsw. they are about $100 and maybe 2 feet tall
Diversity is essential
User avatar
Jamie
Bonsai passionardo
Bonsai passionardo
Posts: 6829
Joined: August 21st, 2009, 8:08 pm
Favorite Species: CLERO!!!,ficus, celtis, juniper, elms
Bonsai Age: 9
Bonsai Club: AUSBONSAI.COM
Location: queensland, Hervey Bay
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Jamie »

astroboy76 wrote:wollemi pines are currently for sale at bunnings in alxeandria, nsw and bankstown nsw. they are about $100 and maybe 2 feet tall

that is just rediculous, what sort of diamter does the trunk have?

jamie :)
SHOHIN YAKUZA!!!
:twisted: taking the top half of trees of since 2005! :twisted:
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans :D
User avatar
Joel
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1199
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 3:04 pm
Favorite Species: A yet to be found native
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: The School of Bonsai
Location: Gladstone, QLD
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Joel »

Dont buy wollemi pines now.

The producer of them has propagated too many of them, and their sales have fallen drastically. There are certain places that are giving them away for nothing, whilst most are still charging lots to try and get their money back. Wait a while and they will release or the unsold ones for much cheaper still. I cant remember which one it was, Mt Tomah or Mt Anan botanic gardens, but one of them were giving away 2 foot tall Wollemias for free to people who entered the gardens. This was mid way through last year. It really is worth waiting, trust me.

Joel
User avatar
Grant Bowie
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3809
Joined: February 18th, 2009, 3:22 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia
Bonsai Age: 52
Bonsai Club: Canberra
Location: Canberra
Been thanked: 346 times

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Grant Bowie »

Leigh Taafe wrote:I have made a couple as bonsai, and while they looked ok for a fairly immature bonsai, I still dont rate the material as "good quality" for bonsai. Grant Bowie has been doing some experimental pruning on a few to see how they respond, he might be able to give you a better insight, as my work was all styling of raw material into an "acceptable" bonsai for customers who felt they "needed" a wollemi bonsai !!!
Have found they bud back when forced, leaves and length of branch reduce and so far no branch drop.

I used material in 10"(250mm) pots.

Root prunes OK.

Early days still.

Grant
User avatar
Jamie
Bonsai passionardo
Bonsai passionardo
Posts: 6829
Joined: August 21st, 2009, 8:08 pm
Favorite Species: CLERO!!!,ficus, celtis, juniper, elms
Bonsai Age: 9
Bonsai Club: AUSBONSAI.COM
Location: queensland, Hervey Bay
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Wollemi as bonsai?

Post by Jamie »

at the price they are asking joel, i completly agree, if anyone wants one then i wouldnt be paying for them but i do think they arent exactly worth it to try as bonsai.

JMO


jamie :D
SHOHIN YAKUZA!!!
:twisted: taking the top half of trees of since 2005! :twisted:
and growing trees for the future generations! 50+ year plans :D
Post Reply

Return to “Wollemi Nobilis”