An Auzzie first Auzzie

[Slothman]

Well after seeing all the spectacular examples by Pup I have been keeping my eye out for any Melaleuca's of any size.

I was walking through the native area of one of my local nurseries and saw a few. I grabbed this one as I remembered Liiniforia (sp?) mentioned by Pup and it was only $16. The rest where well over $30 so figured a good way to learn.

Apologies for the pic, it was taken last night with no preparation just for my "bonsai log".

melb.jpg

Particular species is "Snow in Summer".

Initial thoughts are lets try not to kill it Am tempted to perform a cut or two but might wait till next season.

I have been reading these things are difficult to air layer. Considering I am looking at chopping the trunk at some point I figure, can't hurt to try. So timing is the question. Possible to attempt now or wait until next season?

Pup, while reading the other threads I noted this species was susceptible to "over pruning". Can you explain what you meant "not past the green" ? Also would now be ok to prune it back a bit as I have to learn how to keep and maintain this species before going overboard on cutting and layering.

BTW...the cute little bundle of fur is our 15 week old Keeshond pup rocketing past with her "rubber chicken" as apparently I had spent too long with my trees according to her.

[Petra]

These can be layered anytime of the year. From my experience. wait till you
see some new buds or growth on the tree first, then do your aerial layering.
In 6 weeks time you should see some roots. good luck.

[Boics]

Not past the green means not past a point where there is no leaves.
Meaning cut back to a viable growing branch don't leave a branch / trunk with no leaves or green growth.

Which reminds me I broke this rule just the other day...........

[Slothman]

Thanks for the info guys.

I am off on work for a week, tempted to spend some time and trim it back before I go.

Again thanks guys.

[Elmar]

Thanks for the info guys.

I am off on work for a week, tempted to spend some time and trim it back before I go.

Again thanks guys.

Like you, I'm very keen on Ozzy Natives; especially Melaleucas! They are my favourites. Unfortunately where I live we don't seem to get a good selection of plants, so I'll just watch with interest... And keep on trying!

A local Indigenous nursery has just popped up and just by talking to them they're happy to grow these from seed for me... Loving it, but it's definitely a long road!

... Just a thought, for the more advanced/experienced - what would they need to do to set these seedlings up as 'starters' or "Pre-Bonsai"???



Cheers
EZ
By Tapatalk

[Bonsaitrees (Craig)]

... Just a thought, for the more advanced/experienced - what would they need to do to set these seedlings up as 'starters' or "Pre-Bonsai"???

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1307&start=0&hilit= ... stock+like

[lackhand]

A local Indigenous nursery has just popped up and just by talking to them they're happy to grow these from seed for me... Loving it, but it's definitely a long road!

... Just a thought, for the more advanced/experienced - what would they need to do to set these seedlings up as 'starters' or "Pre-Bonsai"???

Cheers
EZ
By Tapatalk

Just got beat to posting that last one. Here is another good link.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8312

Grow for thickness and then cut back is something you hear a lot, so this is a good explanation of how to do that. I know melaleucas aren't deciduous, but the same basic ideas apply.

[GavinG]

It can be difficult to get what you want, but a number of nurseries send native plants mail order as tube stock. Maybe wait till autumn, so they're less stressed? Then possibly ground-grow them, grow long, hack back, the usual. A good interesting trunk in 5-10 years. If you pick species that bud back on old wood, (some Mels, Cals, most Eucs, not so much Acacias and Leptos) you make life easier for yourself. Dig them up and root-prune them each year, maybe September in your area at a guess.

Best of luck,

Gavin

[Slothman]

Well that kind of bites.

I had to travel for work, came back a week later and the Melaleuca has been fried.

I left very clear watering and care instructions but it looks like it spent a LOT of time on its side. Apparently because horses where not involved my other half forgot about all my pre bonsai stock *shrugs*... ah well.

Anyway this plant has had 90% of its leave shriveled up. Most are pretty dry.

How do I bring it back? Just keep the water up to it??

[Pup]

Well that kind of bites.

I had to travel for work, came back a week later and the Melaleuca has been fried.

I left very clear watering and care instructions but it looks like it spent a LOT of time on its side. Apparently because horses where not involved my other half forgot about all my pre bonsai stock *shrugs*... ah well.

Anyway this plant has had 90% of its leave shriveled up. Most are pretty dry.

How do I bring it back? Just keep the water up to it??

Just stand it up and water it seasol every couple of days should be fine, look up the post Houdini.
Cheers Pup

[GavinG]

Well, you're becoming a proper bonsai grower - we've all been there. It's even worse when it's your own damn fault, and that's happened a few times. Best of luck for the recovery.

Gavin

[Slothman]

Thanks guys.

Seasol it will be and see how we go. I was going to start selecting branches and taking cuttings on Monday, that has now been put off till next year with the "recovery" effort needing to take place now

[Elmar]

... Just a thought, for the more advanced/experienced - what would they need to do to set these seedlings up as 'starters' or "Pre-Bonsai"???

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1307&start=0&hilit= ... stock+like

This posts is really good, but it seems to only focus on creating Pre-Bonsai stock with driftwood … is that the only way were going to be able to get "good" stock?

[Bonsaitrees (Craig)]

This posts is really good, but it seems to only focus on creating Pre-Bonsai stock with driftwood … is that the only way were going to be able to get "good" stock?

No there are many ways.

In Bonsai nothing is as simple as we would like. We need to take bits of info from here and there and combine it together. The thread above is a good example because it is Showing you how to build Japanese quality trees.. Just because the thread focuses on Say Junipers means nothing!
The exact same principle applies to growing all trees, be it With the deadwood or without it. If one was to for example take that thread and Study it , then take that learned information and Grow say a Melaleuca/Casuarina tree like that, either with or with out the deadwood , the growing of Melaleucas/Casuarinas would have been taken to a Whole New level!, and the tree if done well would almost definately be World class.
The other posted thread about Trunk chopping also a technique used on just about All types of trees we train.
Take another thread , Say this one about Build show winning Nebari viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9083
and start combining them and we end up with a tree which has great Nebari, Trunk and well on the way to a great bonsai tree.

All techniques of growing , information learned be that through Books or the internet need to be broadly intertwined to grow "good" stock ..

Or you can just Buy good trees