Progression of a Eucalyptus scoparia [Wallangara White Gum]

[MattA]

Steven love this tree and where it is going. What are you feeding with & how often to get this sort of growth rate? I am also looking forward to seeing your repotting methods for it when the time comes.

Matt

[Steven]

Thanks for the feedback Matt!
During these early stages I was feeding with Charlie Calp at full strength and Osmocote native mixed in with the medium when I repotted (more info will follow shortly).

Over the next 8 weeks (heat of Summer) there wasn't much growth in terms of length but there was a lot of additional branches that grew. In early February 2009 I thinned out more of the internal leaves and put on some more wire including some tie downs to lower the primary branches. You will notice that I have wired a small branch on the bottom right directly down just to see what would happen;

11.02.2009.jpg

By the end of February the growth had come to a stand still and I decided to pot it into the Mirkwood pot that I commissioned Pat to make for the tree. I had previously emailed Pat some pictures of the tree and asked for suggestions on glaze types. After much deliberation we decided on a green with Eucalyptus Ash speckles - very fitting for a gum I thought!

24.02.09 b4 work.jpg

First I removed approximately 20% of the foliage;

24.02.09 trimmed.jpg

Then about 70% of the roots were sliced off;

24.02.09 sliced.jpg

I teased the roots out but in my haste to get it into the pot I neglected to take a picture.

24.02.09 pot prepared.jpg

The pot was prepared with lots of drainage medium and the potting mix used was 50% crushed granite and 50% native potting mix. At this time I also added some tie downs to lower the bottom branches;

24.02.09 potted.jpg

It then had a nice long tub in a Superthrive bath and was put into a wind free shady spot to recover.

24.02.09 trunk up close and personal.jpg

You will see from the earlier posts compared to this picture that the trunk is starting to age up nicely!

24.02.09 branch detail.jpg

The branches are also starting to take shape after copious amounts of wire.

I still wasn't happy with the overall shape of the canopy but I hadn't really done much trimming to date.

There is still another 12 months of progression shots to come. . .

Regards,
Steven

[Steven]

It's been a while since I updated this one... Feb 2009 was the date of the last picture

Here is how it was looking in January 2010.

2010 January.jpg

During the hottest months of the year it doesn't grow much but for the rest of the year it grows madly.

2010 September.JPG

2010 September after.JPG

8 weeks later and...

2010 November.JPG

2010 November after.JPG

The lower branches were all loosing vigor and suffering die back so I experimented with letting them grow freely while keeping the apex trimmed.

2011 September.jpg

10 weeks later I trimmed the left side...

2011 December.jpg

2 weeks later I trimmed the right hand side...

2011 December after.jpg

Although this seemed to encourage a flush of new growth at the tips I'm afraid it was too little too late to get back budding. The lowest branches had suffered lots of die back and due to them being brittle it would be hard to wire them lower and regain the Eucalyptus shape.

What would you do now?

Regards,
Steven

[EdwardH]

Hi Steven, if it was my tree I would trim the new growth on the bottom two branches like a maple - trim off the new growth as soon as you can so that it sends out new shoots. I.e. let a bud open and then as soon as the next bud appears trim it as it opens, pinching out the new growth. This will force two or more new branches to form. Keep doing this to improve ramification and promote backbudding.

Also I would keep the top of the tree trimmed to 2-3 sets of leaves as most Eucs are apically dominant. If you do not ensure that most of the sap flows to the bottom branches they will die off. You can let the crown get bushier so long as you keep plenty of leaves on the lower branches. I found that you need to divide the tree into strong, medium and weak areas (like pines) and have few leaves in the strongest areas (usually the crown) and 2-3 times the number of leaves in the weakest area.

I grew a E. maculata a few years ago (have not grown a E. scoparia) and am assuming that the growth habits are very similar.

I love the progression and look forward to watching the next instalment.

[Hornet]

3 years from nursery stock to this, you gotta be pleased with that, looking great so far. If you cut that lower branch back would it back bud? I know they back bud well from trunks. That way you can align the new leader into the position your after and just leave it grow unhindered untill it gains some thickness again.

[Steven]

Thanks for the tips Edward. I really appreciate your input

Hornet, yes they back bud extraordinarily well especially from the trunk.

I have learn a lot about the growth habits of E. scoparia over the last 3.5 years and would do things differently if I could start all over again.
Back in 2008 I started with this;

31.07.08 after selective pruning.jpg

and now...

2011 December 28th (1).JPG

2011 December 28th (2).JPG

2011 December 28th (3).JPG

2011 December 28th.jpg

Once it back shoots I'll select new branches and then train a much smaller tree. I'd still like to achieve a Eucalyptus shape but in a tree that is a little over half the height of the old tree. Something like this...

2011 December virt 1.jpg

2011 December virt 2.jpg

2011 December virt 3.jpg

Which one do you prefer or do you have an alternative design you think would work?

I'm very interested to hear from anyone experienced with Euc's about whether repotting now is a good idea or not.

Regards,
Steven

[FlyBri]

Gday Mr Steven!

Bold work there - not unlike the measures I was going to suggest... So, it's 3.5 years' growth and kilometres of wire down the drain, but that's how things go in this game. If you consider that the roots have been developing all this time, then the past few years have not been wasted. Likewise, I notice how much more character the trunk has now than in 2008. With this new starting point, you should be able to achieve more rugged angles in favour of the previous youthful curves.

I am liking your 2nd design, but I don't know how it sits in comparison to real WWGs. I don't think it matters.

With regards to repotting: once upon a time, when I religiously followed the Koreshoffs' advice, I tried only to repot my Eucs at the height of summer when they were showing signs of dormancy. Since then, I have mixed up the timing a little according to the demands of the tree and my work/family/life. Now that your Euc has no foliage, I reckon you should be able to repot now without and issues (I like to think (incorrectly?) that complete defoliation is tantamount to dormancy). If you decide to repot, use an open (aerated), well-drained mix, and keep the water up to it for the rest of the summer.

Thanks, good luck and Happy New Year!

Fly.

[kcpoole]

Nice Steven

I like your 2nd Virt, Looks most like a eucalypt to me.

repot now would be good for me as i have done mine thru summer ( but only in Plastic grow pots)

Ken

[Brian]

I love this variety of eucalyptus. I tried this tree as a bonsai about 25 years ago without luck, it just doesn't take wiring well. The branched die off if you wire them.

However, the beautiful bark is mesmerizing so good luck if the tree can be done successfully as a bonsai for you.

[steve_84]

I like design 2.

I have nothing else to add as I have no idea on what I would be talking about.

[MattA]

Hey Steven,

I somehow missed yesterday's post & started with today's Then got the last 2 yrs in reverse

Starting with yesterday's question, I would have told you to go hard. I love the trunk & way you developed the canopy but was always distracted by the relatively straight start to the branches.

Today...

I really like the second design but would extend the lower right and left branches and lean the tree a little to the right during repotting. A flood passed threw some years ago exposing the roots but couldnt move it more than an inch.

I wouldn't hesitate to repot it now while the opportunity is present. If I read the earlier history its been in this pot for 2 yrs now so would really benefit from some fresh soil & room to feed the growth it will definitely give you.

Enjoy the budding frenzy like only Euc's know how.

Matt

[Steven]

Thanks for the feedback and info.

I repotted on New Years eve into a mix of 2 parts Diatomite, 1 part Zeolite and 1 part Coco fibre (per volume) and back into the same pot. I rotated it clockwise about 5˚ and tilted it slightly to the right.

2011 December 31st.jpg

2012 January 5th.jpg

It's been 7 days since the hard chop, 5 days since the repotting and guess what. . . the buds are popping

2012 January 5th a.jpg

2012 January 5th b.jpg

2012 January 5th c.jpg

Regards,
Steven

[bodhidharma]

Looks nice, a little straight on the top portion of the leader but in full foliage it wont matter. It does sit better in the pot but maybe could have gone to the left a tad more.hells bells i am being a picky bugger, must be a little jealous.

[GavinG]

Very nice trunk base. You could maybe tilt the tree to the right, and make the top left branch into the apex - this might lose the straightness that Bodhi's picking on. Or you could politely tell us both where to go...

Thanks for a very useful progression. Seeing changes over years teaches so much.

Gavin

[Dario]

I have really enjoyed this thread and learning more about ths species Steven!
Just to be difficult, I like a combo of the second and third virt...if that makes sense?
Good to see you let your hair down on New Years Eve and made a big night of it Steven I had a preety mild night myself, so I can't talk.
Tree looks great, love the aging lower trunk
Cheers, Dario.