Calothamnus quadrifidus

[ADO]

Hi,

I have a large Calothamnus quadrifidus in my backyard which looks like it could be good for bonsai. Does anyone know if its characteristics lend itself to being good potential material for bonsai? is there a preferred time to collect this tree? any particular points regarding after-care etc? I pruned this tree very hard last autumn and it has grown back with vigourous foliage all over. so from this i suspect it responds well to pruning and would hopefully back bud on old wood.
Photos to follow. any help much appreciated.

Cheers

Adrian

[alpineart]

Hi ADO ,the one sided bottlebrush is an odd fella with the foliage appearing to be lop sided on underneath . I have seen one over here not as a Bonsai just the plant itself . Personally i think it would be a difficult character to train as a Bonsai and get a good balanced looking floral show however the foliage is striking .

It could possibly be wired so the foliage appears on the upper or cascade it down the side of a long rock and hopefully get the flowers to grow outer most .

No idea how to collect or maintain one of these .Good luck with your efforts .

Cheers Alpine

[banksia]

No idea about collecting or any care advice for that matter ADO, but...there was a very nice one at a "Workshop" show a couple of years ago.
Being a member I'm sure you'll be able to chase up the owner and get the information you need. It was very impressive indeed!!
Maybe Pup would know...infact I'm sure he'd know.

Anthony

[shibui]

the one sided bottlebrush is an odd fella with the foliage appearing to be lop sided on underneath

I'm not sure what plant you have seen Alpine One sided bottlebrush refers to the flowers (which are like half bottlebrush flowers), not foliage which is all around the stems.
I think these should be suitable for bonsai and have 1 young one on the growing bench but little to report yet.

ADO, I agree - the ones I have pruned have shot back well though I have not tried cutting back to bare stems yet. Calothamnus is related to Callistemon so I'd treat it the same. I have had success in transplanting Callistemon in late spring but I think Pup has said any time of year where he is.

[ADO]

the one sided bottlebrush is an odd fella with the foliage appearing to be lop sided on underneath

I'm not sure what plant you have seen Alpine One sided bottlebrush refers to the flowers (which are like half bottlebrush flowers), not foliage which is all around the stems.
I think these should be suitable for bonsai and have 1 young one on the growing bench but little to report yet.

ADO, I agree - the ones I have pruned have shot back well though I have not tried cutting back to bare stems yet. Calothamnus is related to Callistemon so I'd treat it the same. I have had success in transplanting Callistemon in late spring but I think Pup has said any time of year where he is.

Hi Shibui, thanks for that.

My wife is fine with me taking it so long as i replace with another native. I'll make sure its a species good for future bonsai

I haven't pruned to bare wood and I'll leave the foliage as is until it recovers. maybe for a year or so - I am not that knowledgeable about Aus natives so I am excited to come across a suitable tree in my backyard!

cheers mate.

[alpineart]

the one sided bottlebrush is an odd fella with the foliage appearing to be lop sided on underneath

I'm not sure what plant you have seen Alpine One sided bottlebrush refers to the flowers (which are like half bottlebrush flowers), not foliage which is all around the stems.
I think these should be suitable for bonsai and have 1 young one on the growing bench but little to report yet.

ADO, I agree - the ones I have pruned have shot back well though I have not tried cutting back to bare stems yet. Calothamnus is related to Callistemon so I'd treat it the same. I have had success in transplanting Callistemon in late spring but I think Pup has said any time of year where he is.

Hi Shibui , sorry fella its a typo i meant the flower not the foliage .I guess it was too early in the morning to be thinking clearly .

Cheers Alpine

[ADO]

Thanks very much for all your replies and sage advice. on the basis that this species is related to the Callistimon then I will use the same after-care etc as appropriate. I'll post some photos up when I can.

cheers

Adrian