Melaleuca linarifolia Claret Tops

[Mack_187]

G'day everyone !

I went to the nursery the other day for supplies and I always have a quick look at the stock and found this melaleuca hiding all alone in the corner.
I cleaned the dead stuff out and am unsure on how to style it. I've read on here that claret tops bud back and not to cut back past green. It has been real wet here and it's still very flexible so i'm thinking of letting it dry out for a few days then wiring it up before it hardens. I've thought of 3 options so far. Making a twin trunk, keeping the big fat trunk and bending it back and forth (I reckon I can get 2 bends out of it) or shohin out of that thin trunk.

What would you do with it ?

Mack

[Ces]

nice find mate! I do the same when I'm out for general supplies but my local big nursery doesn't ever seem to have any melaleuca's in.

From a quick look. my first impulse is to go the long route and make a shohin from the thin trunk that is obvious in the photo labelled 'front'.

Keep us posted on it development.

Cheers,

Ces.

[Bougy Fan]

It's a little hard to see but the lower trunk and nebari look to have promise. I would wait until spring and start cutting it back slowly heading towards a shohin.

[Mack_187]

Hey Guys

I was kind of hoping for shohin. Just needed some back-up !

Thanks Ces and Bougy.

[Ben10000]

There's a chance at something like this

[Neli]

Is that a melaleuka?

[kcpoole]

Is that a melaleuka?

Yep looks like it to me

Nice tree
check out some of Stevens Mel's fro Styling ideas too. Nice light and airy foliage he strives for.
Ken

[Neli]

I wish the picture was bigger...I thought it was casuarina.
Where can see these mels for Steven?
I want to try different styles also. I have too many. Bonsai is supposed to have the art element, as an expression of the personality of the artist. I want to try some funny ideas. I am a funny person

[kcpoole]

I wish the picture was bigger...I thought it was casuarina.
Where can see these mels for Steven?

Search all of Stevens posts you find lots, but this one from his gallery is nioce
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=1&image_id=1
viewtopic.php?f=104&t=14275

This one of his Laurina shows his "Open Style" search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&author_id=58&start=60

His Casuarina from the last shohin comp is also a good example viewtopic.php?f=140&t=9050

Ken

[Steve B]

Hi Mack,

Another potential option for you to contemplate with the leggy branches on this one; I've been having a bit of luck with a Claret Tops in gradually bending thinner branches below horizontal (guy wires in my case) and getting some shoots at the new branch "apex" (ie the highest point the branch reaches after being bent). Benefit being that all the existing foliage keeps the tree kicking along and trunk thickening out, but you get some increased options for new leaders in close on the branches without having to either chop aggressively or chase the leaves back down the branch which can take a while.

Hard to tell from this distance, but if the thickness of the existing branches allows and the roots are good when you plant it out you might be able to fast track a thicker multi-trunk? Something along the lines of shibui's Acer that has been up for development pruning (viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15681&start=15#p159984 ). Appreciate it's probably not too natural, but I think a Mel with some thick foliage pads could fill out this sort of multi trunk nicely.....

[Mack_187]

Hey

Thanks Ken for the links !

Steve I ended up wiring out the thin leader to make a shohin possibly windswept/semi cascade.

I cranked that thin leader right over (past horizontal by coincidence) so now lets hope for some shoots

As for going for a clump, after sitting with it for a while, i'm kind of set on a mini.

I appreciate your post and the thought you put in to it. I haven't made any permanent decisions and have something to think about until spring.

Mack

[Neli]

I wish the picture was bigger...I thought it was casuarina.
Where can see these mels for Steven?

Search all of Stevens posts you find lots, but this one from his gallery is nioce
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=1&image_id=1
viewtopic.php?f=104&t=14275

This one of his Laurina shows his "Open Style" search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&author_id=58&start=60

His Casuarina from the last shohin comp is also a good example viewtopic.php?f=140&t=9050

Ken

Thanks Ken! I have seen them all even posted on some of them...Did not know that is what You mean. I love his C from the competition. I have not figured yet how to style the pads on the melaleucas.
I dont like them untidy...so it will be probably something weird!