9th National Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai

[kcpoole]

I really like the first tree (water gum??).

Do many people grow these? If so how do they go? They obviously ramify well but how do they handle re-potting, hard pruning, scar healing etc?

Joe.

They are Quite popular here since Ray Nesci showed of his recently.

I have 2 and they are great trees, Quite fast grower in the ground with Nice bark and foliage, Leaves recuce very well, they take wire exceptionally well and ramify easily.
A great tree and would have to be one of the best natives for Newbies as weel as experienced growers

Ken

[Jow]

Can they be wired below horizontal? Do they drop branches? do they heal scars?

They look like they have a lot of potential.

Joe.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Small scars heal, although haven't done massive cuts.
Regular repotting is fine, I haven't barerooted at one go though.
I haven't had mine drop branches, and haven't tried cascade wiring below horizontal.

Ray has a couple of nice ones, I think the one he had at the symposium is the same size but much nicer.

[Jow]

Thanks Scott, I might have to keep an eye out for an interesting one.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Water Gum - Tristaniopsis laurina - another one of Ray's from last year here:
http://www.anbg.gov.au/bonsai/bonsai-an ... _large.jpg

[kcpoole]

Hi Jow.
As far as I know, they can be wire below the horizontal. One of mine has got a young branch wired low with no ill effects a as yet
I have not had a branch die off, and no one else from school has spoken of it and there are a quite a few i see regulalry.

Large cuts will heal OK but I think are slow. One of mine had a second trunk removed about 40mm or so and has not rolled ofer yet after about 2 years, but is growing in a small pot and is slower then otherwise might repair.

Ken

[Roger]

The water gums at the Aust Natl Bot Gardens have healed over even large cuts very well. The 'scar tissues' blends very well with the surrounding bark and look good. Don't know how long the healing takes.

[shibui]

A nice compilation of Australian trees as bonsai, oh, did I win the raffle?
While I was in a different state, I checked out the National Collection aswell and just made it by 15mins, the volunteers were happy to have a chat about bonsai aswell.

What sort of state were you in while you checked out the collection Mick? We must remember ( and keep reminding the Canberrans) that the ACT is not a State, just a tiny Territory. And, no, I didn't see your name on the winning raffle ticket.

Congrats again to the organising committee from Canberra Bonsai Society. Another well run event with plenty to see, do and hear about.

The big news item is that Canberra will be too busy organising the National Convention next year so they won't have enough time and people to do the Native Show. That leaves it open for another club/clubs to run it next time. A good chance to get a native seminar and/or show in a different part of this (very big) country. Anyone interested

[Handy Mick]

Hi Shibui,
I was in a state of bonsai madness.

Mick