Melaleuca Armillaris (?) Progression

[FlyBri]

are you doin that mystery shari again? not fair.

Gday Antonio!

No mystery here... Time to give the thing a haircut - maybe a repot soon too. Any hints, Mr Pup?

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_02.jpg

Thanks.

Fly.

[FlyBri]

Time to give the thing a haircut - maybe a repot soon too.

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_04.jpg

[Jamie]

Time to give the thing a haircut - maybe a repot soon too.

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_04.jpg

long way to go but its gonna look great!

[bonscythe]

By a long way, exactly how long do you reckon?
Just trying to get a feel for this sort of thing...will you have it in a bonsai pot in say 2 or 3 seasons?
A long time in this kinda hobby can be anything short of a lifetime..
Looks awesome anyways Fly, jealous

[FlyBri]

Thanks Jamie and Bonscythe!

By a long way, exactly how long do you reckon?
Just trying to get a feel for this sort of thing...will you have it in a bonsai pot in say 2 or 3 seasons?

Well, if I was happy with the overall structure (and I'm not - especially the right-hand side) I could probably get it presentable and in a Bonsai pot within a year or two. (Mr Pup would be a better judge of how long it takes to refine a tree like this.) As it stands, there's still a couple years' worth of work to be done with regards to the trunk, branching and apex, I reckon.

Also, I have attempted an approach graft (point graft) with the lowest branch on the right, so I'll need to wait until that takes before getting serious about 'finishing' the tree. I did not get photos of the process, but I simply cut a groove into the trunk, peeled some bark off the branch and secured the branch into the groove. Fingers crossed.

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_03.jpg

Thanks again!

Fly.

[Jamie]

what sort of graft tape, raffia etc. do you use for this sort of operation?

[FlyBri]

what sort of graft tape, raffia etc. do you use for this sort of operation?

All I used to secure the graft was a couple of cable ties. The site was then wrapped in hessian webbing - but that was more for protection against wiring than anything to do with the graft. I have never tried this with Melaleucas, but I've had some success with E. camaldulensis.

[Jamie]

cool was just curious because i am gonna be doing this in the near future and was just seeing what might be best

[Pup]

Well done as usual Mr Fly. Point of interest it should take although, I have not personally worked this species.
A mate has it would take roughly two season to get some reasonable ramification once you start cutting back.

This old brain wanders some times . What I wanted to point out in the first place. Is the where the graft is in this case an approach graft that point is weak.
So when you working round that area be aware of this, as one false move and all your work is undone. It has happened to me.
Keep up the good work Fly.

[FlyBri]

...where the graft is in this case an approach graft that point is weak. So when you working round that area be aware of this, as one false move and all your work is undone. It has happened to me.

Thanks Mr Pup! I'll be careful, I promise!

So, nothing better to do on a warm, windy Saturday than to repot the thing. It's a lot more easily handled now that I've removed 90% of the foliage...

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_05.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Sep_09_06.jpg

Now, I've got to head out this arvo, so I have the Mel sitting in a tub of water with a genersous serve of Seasol. I hope to repot this evening.

Thanks all!

Fly.

[Pup]

Beautiful better than the Mona Lisa, at least this show's movement where she just sits.

By the way what is that red thing in the back ground. I think I have one of those and a black one and a green one and a blue one.
I have to tell my Daughter I have enough now as they mean more work.

[FlyBri]

Mel_Amarillis_Feb_10_01.jpg

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

Mel_Armillaris_Sep_10_01.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_Sep_10_02.jpg

I'm now strongly considering the removal of the major LH branch. I'll give the thing a good prune and see what I reckon.

Comments, advice and all that is welcome.

Thanks.

Fly.

[Jamie]

gday fly

it seems to be powering one well!

I am curious as to the branching being below the horizontal? yours looks like the branches that are below horizontal dont seem to be lacking nay health? is that correct?

interesting! I like the trunk movement in this one, coming along well

Jamie

[Craig]

Hi Fly, I love the movement in the trunk on this tree,I wasn't sure about removing the left branch but maybe if you were tochange the planting angle, it would look good.Equally i think you could remove the right branch instead and still get an amazing result.. I did a quick virt of what i was thinking,hope you don't mind,, obviously a different pot would be used,,Cheers Craig