Acacia howittii progression

[kcpoole]

I purchased this tree in 2007 I think for my wife as she liked them so much.

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures of it then, but it was quite a bit taller, but the upper trunk had no taper and a bend that went the wrong way. I attempted to fix the bend problem, but a had one of Pups' "Oh bugger moments" with it. I thought rather than being and issue, I had just created a new opportunity

I decided to see it I can do and approach graft to create a new apex and that was not successful, so started again and just bent and new shoot to grow behind the top branch and use that to create a new apex. So far so good and eventually it might graft in.

They are an easy tree to have and look after, they grow well. Everyone should have one

Ken

[Bougy Fan]

Nice tree so far Ken - so you are trying another approach graft on the apex ? Any idea why the first one didn't work ?

[Paulneill]

Hi ken
I agree they are nice trees . They are very brittle and snap easy.
I have managed to kill the 2 sticky wattles starters a bought . The first one was killed by the mrs snapping the main trunk
When trying to put movement I to it . The second I killed by root pruning it very hard . I am now on my third and plan to take good care it . Yours is coming along nicely. Do u try and cut the branches back so they are like repeating arches?

Regards Paul

[kcpoole]

Yes paul I trim back the branches as they die off and that will promote more shooting and as i only keep the ones on the top, it creates the "arches"

Bougy the only big wound where i removed the apex, has not grown over in 4 years so figured that they are slow slow to have the bark roll over, that it just takes too long to callous over the graft union.
Ken

[squizzy]

Hi Ken,

Nice tree.

I dont wont to get too far off topic here but have you tried acacia cognata. Maybe the lime magic or limelight that is sold under pbr or has anyone else?

Just wondering if anyone has found that species suitable. Its got me thinking about another tree Ive often wondered about so I will just post a new topic.

Squizz

[kcpoole]

I have a few other acacias, but not that one tho
Checkout the Forum for Acacias here to see what has been done and attempted
viewforum.php?f=49

Ken

[bodhidharma]

I dont wont to get too far off topic here but have you tried acacia cognata.

I have tried two and both died after a hard prune. I think they are worthwhile pursuing but next time i will prune very lightly and prepare myself for a long haul as they go about their business slowly.

[anttal63]

Lookn good Ken ! Certainly responding for you. I tried one once too but it got infested with aphids and b4 i knew it capoots !!!

[Ces]

Hey Ken,

This tree is starting to look the goods, I think I've only seen one other that's more refined. Well done mate. I cant style them at all.

I'm looking at grafting a branch as my only option for a cascade style Howitt's (it will not backbud ), so I was wondering if that second graft had started to take? I can make out the wire and tape in the most recent photo you put up, so I guess it was still working on it then.

Love to hear any further tips you have on growing them here in Sydney.

Cheers mate.

Ces.

[kcpoole]

it is taken ages and has not grafted in yet but looks like it might. it is hidden behind the other branch anyway so even so should be ok

Ken

[Ces]

it is taken ages and has not grafted in yet but looks like it might. it is hidden behind the other branch anyway so even so should be ok

Ken

Thanks for the update mate. mine's a long way off being showable so I'll give the graft a go. good luck with it.

Ces

[Djs19992]

Hows this going ken?


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[kcpoole]

I was doing some work on it trying to move and rewire the top section, and ended up cracking it
one of Pups "Oh Bugger" moments.

Tried to tape it up and let it recover, but it died off
A branch stub slightly lower has new shoot on it thankfully, so will be rebuilding the apex from one of them

the rest of the tree is doing real well but rarely flowers for me for some reason

Ken

[Djs19992]

Oh no! Hoping it comes back strong for you. Time heals all wounds...


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[kcpoole]

Oh no! Hoping it comes back strong for you. Time heals all wounds...


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Certainly does, I had a goog look today and have a new shoot near the break that will be very well placed so just a while and it will be back to all its glory.

Will have to get some updated pics of it this week and update the thread.

Ken