Melaleuca linariifolia progression

[klaery]

Thought I would make a progression thread for my first tree that I actually have in a bonsai pot. I got this Mel a few weeks back at the local nursery and just left it and looked at it for the last few weeks. Yesterday I decided I was sick of having a bunch of sticks in pots and nothing even resembling an actual bonsai and so I decided to get to work on this. I took off about 2/3rds of the roots and about the same in foliage.

The tree was looking really healthy but as is usual with these all the good growth was towards the tips of the branches. I clipped them back making sure to leave a few leaves on each one. Hopefully it will bud back with nice new green foliage

Does anybody have any thoughts on how I should style this tree? I know it doesn't have the best taper but I think it looks a lot like these do in the wild. Thoughts? From here on in I am going to be working to get growth in closer to the main branches and work on developing some depth.



Thanks for reading

[Jason]

Think its a great little piece you've got there, whilst i'm no expert, I think it has the potential of a really good bonsai

For now, I'd just let it recover and see what options it gives you

I would look up any of Pup's posts regarding Mels if you are after inspiration

[Boics]

I reckon it looks great.

Yep I think the idea is right.
Just relax a bit now and see what happens.
You might find that you need to chop even closer down to achieve your desired effect.

First and foremost I hope it pulls through for you!
I was under the impression that a little later in the year (or even early next) might have been a more optimal time for re-pot and hard prune.

Keep us posted.

[Bonsaitrees (Craig)]

Looks good. It should be fine, linarifolia don't mind a bit of a rootprune.Good luck!

[klaery]

Thank you for the replies everyone! Boics you are probably right. It is very warm here already though so figured I would give it a shot. Will just let it recover for now and I'll put a pic up in a month or two of its progress. Oh and definitely getting inspiration from Pups and many others trees on here.
Thanks again for the kind comments and advice all
Dan

[klaery]

Can anyone advise on a fertiliser once the new growth comes through? I use normal old dynamic lifter for my other trees but I have heard Mels don't like it.

[Jason]

Can anyone advise on a fertiliser once the new growth comes through? I use normal old dynamic lifter for my other trees but I have heard Mels don't like it.

This is a good thread for you : viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14419&p=149650&hil ... er#p149650

[Dario]

Can anyone advise on a fertiliser once the new growth comes through? I use normal old dynamic lifter for my other trees but I have heard Mels don't like it.

Hi, I use Charlie Carp liquid fert and Grow Better and Seamungus pellets as well. They are all organic ferts. I also use seasol every so often too. This is what I feed my Mel, Casuarina and Callistemon. This year I am not using any Osmocote native fert just to see how that goes...all chemical ferts are out this year. So also not adding any Osmocote to the mix when repotting any of my trees as I have done in the past.
In the past I have given small amounts of Dynamic Lifter to my Mel with no adverse response, but I don't anymore because I had also seen some members advise against doing that.
Yeah like the link Jason provided, there are heaps of discussions on what to feed natives on here.
Cheers, Dario.

[klaery]

So after potting up this dropped all its leaves and had no life at all for a few weeks. Today I had a close look at it and it is absolutely COVERED with swollen buds ready to burst. The buds are on old wood too back where I want them.

I had been quietly confident it would come back after reading others experiences that were similar. Amazing to see though and I was still a little worried waiting due to the massive root reduction I had done.

Never throw out a Mel until you are absolutely sure it is dead! Should be looking great in the next few weeks

[Steven]

Great news Klaery!

I like your styling however it looks a little flat. Could just be the photo but it would look more natural with front and back branches which will give it depth.
Being careful not to damage the buds, it would be good to get more wire onto the secondary branches to spread them a bit further giving room for all the new growth you are about to get.

Keep us posted

Regards,
Steven

[klaery]

Great news Klaery!

I like your styling however it looks a little flat. Could just be the photo but it would look more natural with front and back branches which will give it depth.
Being careful not to damage the buds, it would be good to get more wire onto the secondary branches to spread them a bit further giving room for all the new growth you are about to get.

Keep us posted

Regards,
Steven

Thank you for the reply Steven
I agree with you that it is definately flat. At the time I didn't have any lighter wire and would have made a mess if I had tried to use the thicker stuff. I do have some now so will give it a go!

[klaery]

Had a crack at wiring in some depth. All advice welcome! The dodgy photo still makes it look flat but the above shot shows whats going on.

[Isitangus]

Looks very natural,good work.

[klaery]

How this one is looking at the moment. Will give it a few more weeks to grow before working on a bit of refinement. Also tried to take a slightly better image for once

[Boics]

Much better.

1. Image
2. Pot
3. Tree.

Good stuff!