Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'

Post by **Steven** » February 6th, 2013, 9:29 am

G'day,

I persuaded Ray Nesci to part with this Mel early last year which wasn't an easy task! He struck it as a cutting in 1990 and had been growing it for the previous 22 years intending to one day style it.

2012 April (b).jpg

2012 November (b).jpg

It traveled with me to the 2012 AABC convention in Melbourne where I consulted Pup and Boon on its design. Both agreed that it had a promising future.

2012 May (8).jpg

2012 May (12).jpg

It was initially styled to be a natural, narrow design and the following picture was taken not long after returning from the convention.

2012 May (b).jpg

The tree grew well and put on lots on new growth but I was't entirely happy with the design.

2012 December (b).jpg

I sent some pictures to Peter Adams and after some consultation he sent me the following concepts.

2013 January PA design 1.jpg

2013 January PA design 2.jpg

2013 January PA design 3.jpg

2013 January PA design 4.jpg

I've already progressed with some work but I'd be very interested to hear which design you would have gone with... Or even if you would do something different...

Regards,
Steven

GavinG · Post by **GavinG** » February 6th, 2013, 1:24 pm

Could we have some other trunk angles Steven? Peter's 160deg sketch looks convincing, but I can't see what it's based on. I'm also not sure about horizontal pads. I thought the light-and-open texture of the "first styling" photo looked quite convincing. The problem for me is that the trunk is strong, thick and black, and then suddenly stops, going fine quite quickly. I don't think that there's a "styling" fix for this - maybe consider picking just a few branches and growing them long, so they thicken convincingly. I'm not sure whether "Claret Tops" buds back on bare wood after a hard chop - if it's dodgy, you'll need to have options on each branch to cut back to when you have the girth you want. Best of luck.

Just my 2c.

Gavin

Post by **Bougy Fan** » February 6th, 2013, 3:47 pm

Mmmnnn I have to agree that the pads don't look "right" on a native. I love these claret tops but my eye only really appreciates them when they are styled as I see them in gardens and in median strips. To my eye the photo showing as it was late last year has the tree looking too airy and not dense enough. That's my take on it

Post by **Steven** » February 6th, 2013, 4:15 pm

Good input guys, thanks.

I decided on PA design 1 and following is the concept he drew.

2013 January PA design.jpg

2013 January PA design program.jpg

I gave it a selective trim last month to try and improve the structure and work towards the concept but still wasn't happy with how it looked. As Tony said too, it just looked too airy.

2013 January (b).jpg

GavinG wrote:I'm not sure whether "Claret Tops" buds back on bare wood after a hard chop

From my experience they are prolific back budders. If I'm wrong, I've just killed this one

This is what I did to it last night...

2013 February b.jpg

Regards,
Steven

Post by **Bougy Fan** » February 6th, 2013, 7:11 pm

Well you must keep us updated on this one Steven. I have always followed the adage with these mels not to cut back past leaves when pruning otherwise the branch could die. You may be brave or know something the rest of us don't

Guess that's the aim of this forum

Nathan · Post by **Nathan** » February 6th, 2013, 7:45 pm

I will watch with interest as I have just started to work on my own

Love the pot it looks great and a very good match for the tree

Tony Bebb · Post by **Tony Bebb** » February 6th, 2013, 9:22 pm

Hey Steven

Good call on the selection, and as always a great drawing from Peter Adams. Nice work and I am glad you potted it on the right side of the pot to suit the direction.

Tony

Post by **kcpoole** » February 7th, 2013, 7:30 am

Tony Bebb wrote:Hey Steven

Good call on the selection, and as always a great drawing from Peter Adams. Nice work and I am glad you potted it on the right side of the pot to suit the direction.

Tony

There was much discussion about just that the other night too.
Which side of the pot, ( which side shall be the front), to work in with the pattern on it.

Nice tree Steven
Ken

lackhand · Post by **lackhand** » February 7th, 2013, 11:31 am

How does one go about getting such drawings from Peter Adams. I've seen similar ones before, but searching the web I can't find a website or anything. Also, how much would he charge for such things? Thanks!

Post by **kcpoole** » February 7th, 2013, 12:47 pm

lackhand wrote:How does one go about getting such drawings from Peter Adams. I've seen similar ones before, but searching the web I can't find a website or anything. Also, how much would he charge for such things? Thanks!

I have had 2 of them done and both from workshops I have done with him when out here.

He is a membere so you could send a PM to get in contact. i do not have his email address here
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2655

Ken

Post by **Steven** » February 7th, 2013, 1:27 pm

lackhand wrote:How does one go about getting such drawings from Peter Adams. I've seen similar ones before, but searching the web I can't find a website or anything. Also, how much would he charge for such things? Thanks!

Shhh... don't tell anyone as we haven't launched publicly yet but you can contact Peter via his brand new website that we have been developing for him. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/peteradams/

lackhand · Post by **lackhand** » February 7th, 2013, 1:52 pm

Steven wrote:
lackhand wrote:How does one go about getting such drawings from Peter Adams. I've seen similar ones before, but searching the web I can't find a website or anything. Also, how much would he charge for such things? Thanks!
Shhh... don't tell anyone as we haven't launched publicly yet but you can contact Peter via his brand new website that we have been developing for him. https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/peteradams/

That is a really nice looking site! I'll keep it quiet, but can't wait to see more of Peter's work. Thanks for the info Steven.

Boics · Post by **Boics** » February 7th, 2013, 9:23 pm

My M. Linariifolia although tiny was cut back pretty hard the other day..
Admittedly it didn't get taken back below any growth level and there were still some branches and green lower down on the tree.
Well a week later and it has thrown buds and branches from near too every available spot with a focus towards the apex.

As far as your tree goes Steven.

First of all I find it of interest that you post for advise when you have already made decisions!

Next I can't help but agree that although they may be covered the tops of the main trunk are harsh and distracting..
Either a bit more growing to taper out or a larger specimen (or both) could be on the cards...

Cheers and keep us posted.
There is little doubt this "beauty" has the potential to become truly beautiful.

Post by **Steven** » February 11th, 2013, 9:28 am

Boics wrote:As far as your tree goes Steven.

First of all I find it of interest that you post for advise when you have already made decisions!

I don't think you read the post properly Boics.

Steven

Steve B · Post by **Steve B** » February 11th, 2013, 9:52 pm

How's the tree doing Steven after it's trim last week? Those remaining leaves staying put OK? What are you doing for aftercare with your Mel?

Think you might have timed it well with the amount of rain we've had in Sydney town since! I repotted one late last week, but left a lot more leaf structure in place. Have been putting on plenty of seasol and trying out a leaf misting regime with a combo of seasol and some rooting hormone to see if it kicks things along. I hacked off some pretty thick root sections that had limited feeders lower down. Hoping to encourage a better feeder root mat as I've downsized it's pot.

AusBonsai

Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'

Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops'

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