3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Bottle Brush
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

I dug this bottlebrush a few years ago but I do not know what particular species it is. The fact is I had to dig this one to get to another one I wanted so this is an extra, but I do like it.
It was "workshopped" a few years ago and it is now on the way to becoming a bonsai. I desperately need an appropriate pot for it, and I have been on the look out but as yet I haven't found its perfect match.
The photos are just a record of the December work I did on this tree.
PS - if anyone has a pot, I'm interested!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
delisea
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 372
Joined: August 31st, 2014, 8:56 am
Bonsai Age: 1
Bonsai Club: Coffs Harbour
Location: Coffs Harbour
Has thanked: 245 times
Been thanked: 157 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by delisea »

Hi Watto,
If this was the 'extra' I would love to see the tree you wanted.
When you dig do you take the original soil? If you do when do replace it with bonsai soil?
Cheers,
Symon
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

I do take some soil from where it was dug if I can and then at each repot I try to replace it, a bit at a time. It does take a while(5 or 6 years, give or take) but it is all part of the journey.
Here is a closeup of the flower this year.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Action Jackson
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 42
Joined: July 27th, 2017, 11:35 am
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Melbourne

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Action Jackson »

Looking great Watto!
I'll be in tune for the updates
User avatar
melbrackstone
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3442
Joined: December 15th, 2015, 8:05 pm
Favorite Species: the ones that live
Bonsai Age: 28
Bonsai Club: Redlands, BIMER, VNBC
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1191 times
Been thanked: 707 times
Contact:

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by melbrackstone »

If you can get to Canberra for Bonsai Week, I suspect you'll have a wealth of choices when it comes to pots, if the Sunday Pot show is going to be on.

That is a fine looking bottlebrush, and I suspect would look great in a rough hewn Aussie pot. :)
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7653
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1399 times
Contact:

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by shibui »

With the narrow leaves and red flowers I'd propose Callistemon subulatus for this one Watto.

I also like what you have done with it :tu:
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

This tree is supposed to give the coastal windswept look.
Thankyou Shibui for the ID, I look it up and you could very well be correct (I had to look up awl though).
Mel, for the pot I am thinking Aussie, maybe even crescent shaped? But it has to have character. When it gets a repot I may update.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

The tree I was trying to get to was a "Little John" and here is a photo. It has been moved on and I hope the new owner is very happy with it as it has great potential.
The reason to re-open this post is simply because it is time to have another look at this bonsai. I thought you might be interested in how it looked after I first dug it in 2012, so here is a photo.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

I think it looks better now and over the next few weeks as it develops its flowering I will post another photo or two, but for now here is a close-up of the bark which shows some maturity.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
anthonyW
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 889
Joined: May 19th, 2011, 1:35 pm
Favorite Species: Figs,Pines.
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Illawarra NSW
Has thanked: 257 times
Been thanked: 117 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by anthonyW »

Very Nice :beer:
Watto
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3939
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:17 am
Favorite Species: Plum
Bonsai Age: 0
Bonsai Club: Goulburn Bonsai Society
Location: Goulburn
Has thanked: 509 times
Been thanked: 1096 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Watto »

Its that time of the year so here it is.
I have a new pot for this and a re-pot is happening in the next few days.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Check out my blog at http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/blog/Watto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
melbrackstone
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3442
Joined: December 15th, 2015, 8:05 pm
Favorite Species: the ones that live
Bonsai Age: 28
Bonsai Club: Redlands, BIMER, VNBC
Location: Brisbane
Has thanked: 1191 times
Been thanked: 707 times
Contact:

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by melbrackstone »

Beautiful tree, Watto!
User avatar
Boics
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2189
Joined: September 27th, 2012, 6:16 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia, Syzygium, Cotoneaster. Leptospermum
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Victoria Inner City Fringe
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 16 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by Boics »

Yippee! :aussie:
One of the fabulous things about growing bonsai is as you get old and decrepit your trees get old and beautiful
boom64
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 1105
Joined: November 11th, 2009, 9:03 pm
Favorite Species: Almond
Bonsai Age: 2
Location: South Coast NSW
Has thanked: 274 times
Been thanked: 394 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by boom64 »

Great Solid tree Watto , flowers look fantastic . Well done.
User avatar
MJL
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2840
Joined: October 26th, 2014, 8:47 pm
Favorite Species: Maples, Elms, Cedars and Pines
Bonsai Age: 7
Bonsai Club: Waverley Bonsai Group & Yarra Valley Bonsai Society
Location: Melbourne
Has thanked: 424 times
Been thanked: 643 times

Re: 3 Weeks in the Life of a Callistemon

Post by MJL »

Thanks for this thread Watto. Excellent to see the progression and the patience you show in slowly reducing the root mass.

I rescued a calli recently - after a neighbour had dug it up and cast it aside. My rescue mission may have been too late but I hope not because your tree is giving me great hope if it survives!


Bonsai teaches me patience.
Tending bonsai teaches me patience.
Post Reply

Return to “Callistemon”