When to collect a Melaleuca?

[Roger]

Ken
Look at the flowers. You are probably calling them 'white' because the petals are white - the flat, broad plates around the rim of the flower. Look near the inside base of the petals and you will see the stamens - the hairy bits sticking up all around the inside just inside the petals. In leptospermum, the stamens are shorter than the petals; in Melaleuca the stamens are longer than the petals. This is true for most species of each. A few are a bit more challenging, but you are probably not looking at one of them.

R

[Thomo]

Hi Roger, thanks for the input. Unfortunately I doubt I will get any flowers this year. It hasn't flowered yet in the ground either. I'll try to match it to a nearby tree, that might help things.

[Thomo]

Sadly I think this tree has gone to heaven. Despite my best efforts, the foliage died and I have checked under the bark for some signs of life. It is all dry and brittle.

Oh well, I'll try again someother day.

[Pup]

Sadly I think this tree has gone to heaven. Despite my best efforts, the foliage died and I have checked under the bark for some signs of life. It is all dry and brittle.

Oh well, I'll try again someother day.

Thomo do not get rid of it. Melaleucas, do rise from the Dead. I have trees in my collection that have dried right out and after two years re sprouted.

Just keep it moist at all time and a feed of seasol every couple of weeks.

I have one at the moment that I refuse to give up on since may last year nothing yet, but we live in hope.

Cheers Pup

[Thomo]

Hmm, ok, Pup. I'm a little skeptical, but I am willing to learn!

Do you mean keep the soil moist or use a plastic bag to keep the humidity up?

[Pup]

Hmm, ok, Pup. I'm a little skeptical, but I am willing to learn!

Do you mean keep the soil moist or use a plastic bag to keep the humidity up?

Keep the soil moist. I will look for trees that have recovered from these situations. If you enter Houdini into search you will find one.

Cheers Pup