Suburban Yamadori: Collected Yellow Box

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

Some years ago, I bought a cheap Yellow Box (Eucalyptus meliodora) with a view to creating Bonsai. My initial efforts were uninspiring, so I chose to plant it on our front nature strip. For 2 or 3 years, the tree struggled against encroaching weeds, hard clay soil, scale & ant infestation and itinerant builders who insisted on trampling the thing. So, since it had been a failure as Bonsai, and a failure as a street tree, I thought I might try it as Bonsai again.

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I've sifted some old mix, some new potting soil and sifted/washed some attapulgite, and created what I believe will be a suitably well drained medium.

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Now to place the tree out of harm's way, water it frequently, and wait. Updates to follow.

Thanks!

Bri.

[PeterH]

Hi Bri,

It has good movement in the trunk and if it survives it will be an interesting progression. I have had one in a pot (Nursery grown) for about 10 years (straight trunk,poor material).

Good luck,

Peter

[Bougy Fan]

Nice to see you posting again Bri ! Nice movement in the trunk. So you recommend a very free draining mix for a collected native ?

[FlyBri]

I have had one in a pot (Nursery grown) for about 10 years (straight trunk,poor material).

Gday Peter!

Why not try a trunk chop somewhere on the lower trunk? If it is healthy, you could achieve good movement and taper within a couple of years...

So you recommend a very free draining mix for a collected native ?

Gday Mr Fan!

I think a very well-drained mix is essential for all Bonsai - not just Oz natives. I believe that it was DennisMc who proposed the absolute necessity of fast-draining soil and frequent watering when dealing with collected/re-potted Eucs. I'll try to find the specific quote. [EDIT] Hereis the quote from DennisMc regarding Euc aftercare. [/EDIT]

Thanks fellas!

Bri.

[kcpoole]

Nice trree fly.

I have collected a few natives, Mel, Kunzea, geebung, Euc, and they are all in My diatomite mix and so far have had great sucess with them surviving.
I collected afew more today too .

Ken