Collected Mela..Hoping for Rhap

[bodhidharma]

Hi all, i had the opportunity to collect a Mela this morning. It was off early and one and a half hours later this was in the back of the truck. Straight home to a nutrient bath and potted up. It started this morning loaded with small creamy flowers and a lot of foliage. I lightened its load at the site. It had five trunks which did not enhance the tree. I like it as a twin trunk. I hope it survives its ordeal (i have high hopes it will) and could not have had better conditions to remove it. I flat bottomed it straight away after having success doing this to a Casuarina a while ago. I also flat bottomed my Styph without a problem. This will be the last time i do this (to hard) but i thought the tree was worth the effort. I am hoping it is a raph but know not. The foliage is soft and not prickly like my styphalioides and small creamy white flowers. Some of the more learned than i, hopefully, can i.d it.

[kcpoole]

Love that one Bodhi
I love the way the 2 trunks mirror each other perfectly. You could not have trained from seedling better

Ken

[bodhidharma]

I love the way the 2 trunks mirror each other perfectly

Exactly what attracted me to the tree Ken. This is not its front, i strapped it in as it was easier this way. Its front is another 1/4 turn to the right.

[Pup]

G,day Bohdi, cannot see properly, however I do not think it is a M, rhaphiophylla as the leaves are wrong rhaphs have needles and they are hollow.

Unfortunately a lot of our Mels have small white or creamy white flowers. Is it possible to get a closer look at the foliage, please.

Pups

[bodhidharma]

Is it possible to get a closer look at the foliage, please.

Yes, of course Pup. Again pre planning let me down and i went off to a dig with no camera It is a bit windy here at the moment but i hope this is enough to i.d. it.

[Gerard]

I see a very nice tree in a short while.
Nice pick up Bodhi

[bodhidharma]

I see a very nice tree in a short while.

Thanks Gerard, yes i saw its potential and have been eyeballing it for two years now. If i can replicate what it looked like before i dug it i will be extremely happy.

[Pup]

Is it possible to get a closer look at the foliage, please.

Yes, of course Pup. Again pre planning let me down and i went off to a dig with no camera It is a bit windy here at the moment but i hope this is enough to i.d. it.

I am inclined towards M, ericifolia as it fits the description and the pictures, and is native to your area.

It has also been said to be a close resemblance to M armillaris, but it is different in the colour of the paperbark and smller more prolific flowers.

It is also described as a variable plant which is why it is sometimes refered to as M, armillaris, and has self hybridised with other close relatives?!.

I hope this does not leave you too dissapointed or confused, as it has me from reading the descriptions.

Cheers Pup

[bodhidharma]

I hope this does not leave you too dissapointed or confused, as it has me from reading the descriptions.

Not at all Pup. Thank you for your efforts and we will call it ericafolia until proved otherwise.

[alpineart]

Hi Bodhi , this one slipped past my eye , must have been it that canoe again. It's a ripper to find a twin trunk like this .I have 3 of the same , i think , but have yet to I.D them . I will do some more home-work and find out the correct name , as we have a Native Nursery up the road and this chap is switched on and plugged in with our local Natives .

Cheers Alpine

[alpineart]

Hi Bodhi , is this like your tree

100_9308.jpg

, this is a 2-3 year old seedling

100_9309.jpg

. Mine haven't come into flower , only got them 6 months ago, this is Sonic976's trainer , he pinched it off me last year . Bugger i thought i was the prickly one , its soft unlike our street tree's .

Cheers Alpine

[Bretts]

This will be the last time i do this (to hard) but i thought the tree was worth the effort.

Comon Bodi this will keep ya young
Nice effort

[bodhidharma]

Hi Bodhi , is this like your tree

Damn it is hard to tell The foliage is darker on yours but that could be just a health issue on the tree i collected. The flowers on mine where the same except cream not white. I will bookmark this and wait until the tree recovers and flowers. That will help us along

Comon Bodi this will keep ya young
Nice effort

Took me a day to recover but i think i couldnt help myself if another came along.

[alpineart]

Hi Bodhi , digital camera's don't reflect the true colour in any of my photo's , note by tilting the camera the colours change in horizontal/vertical shots .They are actually cream in the flesh . I will be getting out and about this week so i will head to the Native Nursery and get some I.D's on a few natives i have .Its been fertilized with Rustica Plus so its as green as grass and very healthy .

Cheers Alpine