Sannantha virgata

[Boics]

From wikipedia:

The species was first formally described in 1775 as Leptospermum virgatum. In 1810 it was placed in the genus Baeckea.[2] By 1997 an Australian Baekea virgata species complex had been identified which was regarded as separate from the New Caledonian population. From this complex, 8 separate species were identified and placed in the genus Babingtonia. In 2007, the species were placed in the newly created genus Sannantha and assigned the following names:[3][2]

Sannantha angusta (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha bidwillii (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha brachypoda (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha collina (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha crassa (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha papillosa (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha pluriflora (F.Muell.) Peter G.Wilson
Sannantha similis (A.R.Bean) Peter G.Wilson

Now the formalities aside...

I purchased this little guy around January this year.
It was a thick ball of healthy foliage which I promptly hacked to next to nothing (see pics) and popped it straight into a bonsai pot and chopped at least 2/3rds of the roots off whilst at it.
Since then I've been working on defining pads and bringing the foliage back from the tips.
It has not skipped a beat and not stopped growing!

It's nothing special but I was after an insta-shohin-bonsai and have more posted this for discussion on both this tree (virts, suggestions welcome) and others experience with this species which I believe to be a fantastic option for Bonsai.

[Elmar]

How cool, and flowering!

[boom64]

Hi Boics, Have to agree ,fantastic Bonsai subject. I have lost several due to dry/windy spells. They seem to power on the wetter they are. If it was mine I would think about cutting the thick bottom left branch in half ,once the weather warms up .Start training a few shoots to fill that area. Also I would cut you present apex down to below the branch on the left. I would wire the branch on the left to the right and make it the new apex . A more rounded canopy. Hope this makes sense to you . Just a few ideas, I am sure you will do a good job .Regards John.

[kcpoole]

Nice boics.
They are an awesome tree to have on the bench, and tick every box for bonsai suitability and desirability.
Probably the best Aus native for beginners to own, and certainly one of the best native for everyone. If you do not have on on your benches, then get one

Ken

[lackhand]

Nice boics.
They are an awesome tree to have on the bench, and tick every box for bonsai suitability and desirability.
Probably the best Aus native for beginners to own, and certainly one of the best native for everyone. If you do not have on on your benches, then get one

Ken

I'm trying, but can't find them here. Starting some from seed soon . . .

Nice tree, keep us updated!

[Boics]

Just an update on this awesome species.
A bunch of flowers on display right now and it just powers on the growth even in the small pot.

Its funny I had thought this tree was really progressing but I think I have somewhat lost my way..
Definitely in need of a significant hack back as I think with a tree of this size less might be more.

John I'm not quite sure that I follow exactly your suggestions?

Anyone and everyone I'd be most pleased with some virts? Ideas?

[GavinG]

Good start, great species. For me, as the pads/foliage blobs get bigger, the bare trunk looks more bare in comparison. It might sound counter-intuitive, but if you take a lot of the shoots out of the pads, and make spaces within them, the contrast won't be so great. On the other hand, if you're just growing it on to thicken it, grow them all like crazy, and cut them back hard to the last few leaves, once a year. Your choice. The trunk is graceful.

Gavin

[EdwardH]

Hi Boics, I have read that these do not shoot back from bare wood so you need to keep leaves close to the trunk. If you allow a long area between the leaves and trunk then you are stuck with no branches close to the trunk. Not sure if this applies to your particular species though
If it were mine I would cut the top off at the second branch and make a new apex from there. This would reduce the overall height of the tree making it more balanced with the diameter of the trunk. Whichever way you go you have the start of a lovely little shohin

[kcpoole]

Have you thought to tilt to the right instead of the left?

Same angle just the other way and the foliage pads elongate as well.

Ken

[Boics]

Thanks lads.

Edward:
I have heard and am of the opinion that they will shoot back from bare wood.
I haven't pushed this little one to that point but I have been chasing foliage back down the branches with some results.
Never pushed beyond green though.
Re. The shorter tree option - yes this is probably the best way in the long run but I'm happy with a slender tree for the time being.

Gavin:
I agree totally and I think if you look at the earlier images the more sparse pads are much more in sync with the rest of the tree. I'm not growing to thicken, my aim is to realise and refine a style for this one in the nearer term.

Ken, not exactly sure what you mean? Is it this?
I'm not even decided on a front just yet?

Keep the idea's coming!

[boom64]

Hi Boics, Certainly has filled out. I re-read my comments, does seem a little bit out of kilter . I think what I was trying to say was pretty much what Edward H said. Cut off the apex and use the top left branch as your new apex. Maybe wire it to the right ? Also the bottom thick left branch, I would cut in half and go for some ramification. On the enlargement mode it looks like there are two little shoots, so you have something to work on and with a little luck you might pick up a few more Hope this helps
Cheers John

[kcpoole]

Yep Boics that was abotu the angle i was thinking of.

bring the branches down and let the foliage extend.

Ken

[Boics]

Just been taking a few pics of my tree's.
I find it interesting to document as it gives me an idea when things actually happen.
This tree is somewhat still dormant and i haven't trimmed because I'm waiting for flowers.
Well it appears that within around a month it's going to spring to life and deliver the goods?
I don't know but they can't be too far away and as every day passes I am seeing this and others start to spring to life.

Onto Plans.

* Wait for flowers.
* Enjoy flowers.
* Cut back hard.
* Re-pot, really give some thought to re-position.
* Put some fine wire on to arrange in particular some branches near apex.
* Let grow for rest of season.
* Cut back hard towards the end of growing season in preparation for next years flowers?

I note from what I see now that I'd ideally like to be at a cut back stage and hoping for a spring growth boost and flowers.
Anyway - slowly but surely.. Wonder how many of the above I'll have ticked off the list by next post?

[Boics]

Here are the flowers and around a month later than expected!

So as per above my plan is now...

* Cut back hard.
* Re-pot, really give some thought to re-position.
* Put some fine wire on to arrange in particular some branches near apex.
* Let grow for rest of season.
* Cut back hard towards the end of growing season in preparation for next years flowers?

I actually like this little tree - it's nothing special but as the years roll on I think it's improving slowly.

[boom64]

Beautiful little tree Boics ,great crop of flowers .Well done. John