[noUpdate][Goughi] Callistemon viminalis (scarlet flame)

[goughi]

Species Callistemon viminalis
Height 42cm
Source Warana Home and Garden centre
Cost $13.00

P3260110.jp

P3260110.jpg

[goughi]

Well the starter's gun has fired so its time to make some decisions and to get started. As this is my first attempt at bonsai I would greatly appreciate some assistance from experienced members.

However, I do have some basic ideas about what I would like to achieve with this tree, to which I would like to stay true. Firstly, it is a genuine twin trunk tree, with trunks of equal diameter separating immediately above ground level so I don't want to cut one of them off. Secondly, I have been greatly impressed with some of the more "Australian" styled trees (particular thanks to Pup) which don't seek to slavishly imitate the Japanese style triangle with a pine tree type point on the top. Consequently, I would like to reflect the common shapes of Callistemons growing along creeks and as street trees around Brisbane's western suburbs.

In line with those basic ideas, I thought I would chop the three largest/tallest branches back to about 8 cm tall, wire the next 2-3 branches to be more vertical and with some curvature. The lowest 6-7 branches would be sacrificial branches to thicken the base and keep the tree growing along until the main trunks reshoot and restablish apical dominance. The lower branches could be removed next summer.

Given the lateness of the season for doing major work, would it be better to chop and wire now to have the tree ready to power away next spring or should I leave it grow over winter? Brisbane is still very warm and all my plants are still shooting.

Also, I have seen advice not to cut all the leaves off Callistemon branches so they don't die back, but that seems to be contradicted on other posts? I would need to chop the major branches and not have any green remaining.

I would like to thank Bodhidharma for encouraging me to enter the competition but with no expectations as to outcomes. I just hope that my two entries survive until the end of the competition and that I can do justice to them.

[kcpoole]

Hi Gough
I Cut back and repotted Callistimon last week in Sydney, so being in brissy shodu be no dramas. Cutting back hard now i would not be concerned about. They definitely backbud onto bare wood, so dunno where you heard that from.

You wiring plan is OK i reckon too.

Ken

[Ray M]

Hi Goughi,

I would like to thank Bodhidharma for encouraging me to enter the competition but with no expectations as to outcomes. I just hope that my two entries survive until the end of the competition and that I can do justice to them.

Having a go is what it is all about. You will learn from the experience as you work on your own trees. Also, as you see the progression of other peoples trees, you will be able to pick up ideas. Have fun, that's what it is all about.

Regards Ray

[Neli]

`The most important thing is to have fun! I am also a newbie...entered many trees since I fear I might kill some. Good luck, and all the best!

[goughi]

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The Callistemon's trunks & main branches were chopped and the plant has back budded stronly. I will need to select the shoots to retain and wire in the next couple of weeks.