Callistemon first cuts

[bonscythe]

Hi all,
I was lucky enough to have been given a bunch of native stock from a nursery a while ago and recieved this Callistemon (sp.??).
Didn't do much to it except pinch the tips over winter but now it's starting to warm up I gave it a chop down etc, took abit of cleaning up to get down to something workable. It doesn't have any basal flare or nebari but I am happy just to have some stock to work with!
Anyway, here is the pre-winter shot..

Callistemon 17-4-09.jpg

And this is the after winter shot..

callisto10-10-09.jpg

From the left..

callistoL10-10-09.jpg

From the right..

callistoR10-10-09.jpg

The leader I chose for now looked to be the best at the time, don't think the tree should be any taller because it's still so skinny...maybe after this I should make up a polystyrene box for it to grow on a bit?
After opening paint for the first time in I can't remember, I added a couple of options...

callisto10-10-09 paint.jpg

For the future, trying to get some taper from that thicker low branch into it's sub-branches...anyone got a good suggestion for a chop there? eg. chop at the red line or chop at the blue line...or lower?
The purple circle shows the only above surface root, but it is kind of growing toward the intended viewer..should I change fronts or move/wire the root? What do you guys use to manipulate a woody-ish root?
Thanks everyone!

[MasonC]

Nice stock. I think that the view from the right is much better. Over all a good plant.

[bonscythe]

Thanks Mason,
I like the side angles too but the front was chosen as the leader is heading that way at the moment. I suppose a 'front' doesn't really matter right now as it can be changed later on with some good growth etc.
I'm in two minds about growing it on...would love to have it in a bonsai pot but it is so far off, I wonder if a grow-box is a worthwhile idea till it fattens up a bit?

[MasonC]

yer. grow box until its been styled and the branches are there. love it.

[bonscythe]

Just a little update on this tree..going to have to be single photos as my internet browser is playing up when I add multiple pictures?!?!

Callisto 12-12-09.jpg

And then....
Next post

[bonscythe]

I have some side shots at each stage too but I don't wanna push my luck with this uploading, can only get one photo to add before I cop error messages?!
Yesterday

Callisto 25-2-10.jpg

I wish I knew what species it is so I could do some research on it but as it has never flowered in my care and due to my lack of ID knowledge with Callistemon spp. I have no idea!
Cheers all

[craigw60]

Hi difficult to tell the size of your plant. Got some nice curves in the trunk. I fit were mine I would spent a bit more time growing it on.
Craig

[bonscythe]

Hi craig,
The plant is about 30-40cms high. As you can see the trunk is about as wide as the fat side of a Bic lighter.
I haven't repotted it since it came into my care, it hasn't filled that pot yet so I thought I was doing it a favour by not 'over-potting'?
I am new to the practice, I assumed I was growing it on?
Oh well, back to the drawing board again..

[craigw60]

Hi Bons,
Half the battle with bonsai is finding good stock and you have certainly done that. The next phase is learning what to do with it. Before you grow a tree on you need to do a bit of preparation, specially sorting out the roots other wise you end up with a big mess below the ground. I am not familiar with your seasons but at the appropriate time you should sort out the roots on your tree then plant it in a wide flatish container like a poly box. Use a very open free draining mix. once your tree has settled in then start to feed it like mad and get some weight into the trunk. Remember you can never reduce the size of fruit or flowers so I feel calistemon should be a reasonable size to cope with the flower size. These trees will shoot back freely so branch placement is not such an issue until you have got the trunk to the required thickness. Remember training bonsai is measured in years not months, the more time you are prepared to put into it the better the outcome.
Craig

[bonscythe]

This stock was given to me which was chance, do you know what season is safest to play around the roots of Callistemon? I'd imagine it would be similar to that of Melaleuca but am not totally sure.
I'm prepared to wait but I don't trust my skills enough to work with a 'monster' so to speak.
Thanks for the tips!

[craigw60]

Callistemon would be potted over the warmer months as with most if not all natives. you would probably still be pretty safe as long as your night temps are not getting too low.
Craig

[bonscythe]

Night temps just below 20°C at the moment, that should be warm enough eh?

[craigw60]

Plenty warm enough, Lucky you we are getting single digits most nights now
Craig