Baeckea with a twist!!!!

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mal
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Baeckea with a twist!!!!

Post by mal »

Hi all,

This is one of my favourites, Meet my twisted trunk Baeckea. I have had him for about 4 years now. I purchased him from Ray Nesci's during one of my visits. I have learnt a few things since I bought him but I would love to know more hence this topic.

First picture I have was taken around spring/summer in Newcastle I have had the tree about 3 months by this stage. I love the thick green canopy with the white flowers all over.
It sort of went downhill from here for a while and at one stage I thought I was actually going to lose the whole tree.

I have a theory of what happened now and was wondering if someone could confirm of deny it for me please.

Here we go, after the first flowering had finished, I thought I should cut it back now that would of been around Feb. I cut him back until I had fantastic green clouds all over and the tree looked great :imo: Winter came and went, before I knew it spring was back and flowers everywhere, how hard can this be I was thinking :tu2: As the flowers dropped off and I trimmed him back again for another year, all going well so far.

During that winter and the next spring the tree was growing but I could also see a heap of white scaly thing growing in thru the bark, foliage of the tree and as the tree started to take off for spring I noticed "die back" in some sections of the tree :? :palm: I had a bit of a read and it was then I realized that I had not re potted him :shake:

My theory is that my tree got sick/weakened because I did not change his potting mix, he was root bound when I did do it, and the tree was touch and go there for some time.

So as explained, I had to cut him right back to get rid of all the scale things. I had to get hold of a soft tooth brush to get into the bark it was so infested. Pulled him out of the pot cut his roots back, soaked him in seasol and repotted him. I had to keep him in a dark place for a while but we survived :D I lose a few branches but I think I have learnt heaps.

I actually made it down to Ray's open day this year. One of the many fantastic trees on display was a baeckea, all trimmed, healthy ready to flower. What I would love to find out is how do i have the tree trimmed to such a lovely shape and still get the flower buds read to bloom?? I have been cutting back generally In feb and as I said previously, my tree has grown quite a bit before he flowers the next spring as you can see. :fc: help with this please would be much appreciated
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Ash
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Re: Baeckea with a twist!!!!

Post by Ash »

Hi Mal,

Your tree has a lovely crop of flowers both in the first and last shots and is coming along nicely. I consider that you were right - in my experience this type of tree will weaken rapidly if it is not provided fresh growing mix, space for roots to grow and fertilizer. Even the Viola betonicifolia growing as a companion in the pot will be using a lot of nutrient. Looks like you have control of the situation now.

Good luck!

Ash
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Re: Baeckea with a twist!!!!

Post by Boics »

Correct me if I'm wrong but this species foliage may also die off in area's that don't get light..
Therefore inner areas might keep on dying off if the canopy is not opened up from time to time with a trim?

P.S.

Search the forums for Babingtonia, virgata, and baeckia

Also check out this thread: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=13406&start=15

The little miniature was actually discussed in detail the other day but I can't for the life of me find the thread!
Maybe Hacki or someone can also assist with some advice.

Also..
If you could kindly get all the care information together and clearly post this for all in this thread I will build a Wiki page for quick reference.
Last edited by Boics on November 20th, 2012, 10:57 pm, edited 3 times in total.
One of the fabulous things about growing bonsai is as you get old and decrepit your trees get old and beautiful
mal
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Posts: 53
Joined: November 6th, 2009, 7:51 pm
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Location: newcastle

Re: Baeckea with a twist!!!!

Post by mal »

Hi Ash thanks for that, hopfully I have him undercontrol now.

Boics Had a look at that little beauty looks like it also full of bud, as is this tree I was refering to from Ray open day.

I would have to assume that I have to prune at a different time. more reading. I will towards getting some care info together for this tree as well. :beer:
Mal
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