what do I do now? Lily pilly

[matt_95]

I bought this lily pilly "sunrise" yesterday because I liked the movement in the lower sections of the trunk, I was just wondering, should I put it in the ground for a few years as it is? Or should I do a trunk chop? I know where I would do it, I've marked that in black on the image, I would prefer to layer the top as I quite like this plant. I've included a picture of the whole plant too. I'm very much a newbie and I don't want to stuff it up. Also if it is no good please tell me, I can just plant it in the garden, I only buy plants I would grow in the garden because I'm lickly to get bad stock, I only have access to bunnings stock.

I can't find any nebari, it just has roots shoot from the trunk at various positions, I put a zip tie on it down in the soil so as it grows it is forced to send out new roots above it, did I do that right too? There is no way I could have fitted it through a CD or washer with all of its roots.

[rowan]

Looks like you gotta plan I think you are on the right track, plant it in the ground and layer the top off. I'd layer it a bit higher then chop off the extra later

[matt_95]

But should I let it grow some more before I do a trunk chop?

I'll layer it about where my finger is.

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Matt
A zip tie will not cut in enough to create new roots. I would not worry about the roots now - do the air layer and get the trunk to the size you want first. Then have a look at the roots because more will have grown in that time and if needed you could try the toothpick method to improve the roots.

Tony

[matt_95]

I took this too a workshop on Saturday, just looking for advice on chopping the trunk and if I had the right spot. A nice lady helped me do this with it, I learnt how to wire and I'm a lot better. It looks better in real life, I should have used a white wall so it stands out more. I don't think its straight on, the front is to the side a bit. What do you think?

[kcpoole]

Much better
I would cut back to about 1/2 way along the straight section heading up to the right sometime.
this will help remove the long straight section and develop some taper too.

Ken

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

Hey Matt

Keep an eye on the wiring in the coming few weeks, as with the turn of spring, there is a good chance it will cut into the thickening branches and trunk.

Good luck
stew