Paperbark - Melaleuca Quinquenervia - Progression

[benny350]

Hey Guys,

Been lurking here for years soaking up info and making the occasional post, figured it was about time to post some actual content.

This is actually the first tree I got and the beginning of the addiction. I jumped in over eager, straight into the deep end and went and dug myself a tree. I left the site with just a stump, barely any roots and a huge amount of excitement. Somehow it survived and I spent a fair bit of time wondering what to do next, eventually I decided to bury the stump and attempt a forest from the strongest shoots... I cant find any photos prior so I'll start the progression a little after this point.

Jan 2012:


After a year or two of attempting a forest I wasn't happy with how it was progressing and decided on a drastic change. I removed all but the center trunk in the above photo and cut that back to the first branch to focus on only a single tree. 2 years of development later...

Jun 2014:


Dec 2014:


Jun 2015:


Jan 2017:



Got a bit of a trim last week to redirect some energy but mostly letting it run wild to thicken some of the newer branches up

May 2017:

[Ryceman3]

Nice job Benny,
Loving the texture of the bark and some of the twists and turns you've got developing in your branching make this really interesting. The main trunk looks a little straight in comparison (could just be my interpretation of the photos) but probably nothing a change in planting angle wouldn't fix. I reckon it is great development overall, look forward to updates - what are you thinking next... getting close to potting it up??

[Raging Bull]

I agree with Ryceman, it's come along nicely. The straightish trunk seems to suit it .
Nice progression on the pot too!

[benny350]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

The trunk is pretty straight but it suits the overall 'gum tree' look I'm after. It hasn't had a repot for a few years, definitely needs some exploration done to see where the majority of the roots are located as the stump is still buried. Ideally I could remove most of it and get it into a proper pot or maybe even a slab.

[delisea]

Great work Benny. I have wondered why you don't see many of these and presumed it was because they are difficult to bonsai. This appears not the case. I would suggest putting in as many crazy twists as you can. Up here on the Mid North Coast of NSW they have unfeasible twists and turns that develop naturally. On of the characteristics is that often branches head straight down in a spiral. I look forward to seeing this one develop.
Cheers, Symon

[Watto]

I think that putting it in a pot would be a great improvement and it is probably time to take that step. A good pot from an Aussie potter is the go.
Agree with the other comments that the progression has been good so far.

[benny350]

So it's been a bit longer than I thought since the last update... the tree has made a few big steps forward in the last 2 years.

Finally got it into a pot back in September following Rory's advice, it hasn't skipped a beat and has continued to put on new growth since. The back is a little less developed than I would like but that is my main focus at the moment while semi controlling the growth elsewhere.

Xmas 2018:

[Watto]

Well done. The trunk does not appear nearly as straight now and that is a significant improvement in my opinion, the trunk is a better match to the rest of the tree.
The bark is good and the pot is also good. More updates in the future please.

[KIRKY]

Well done this is a great tree. I don’t know why the comments re the straight trunk. Gums in the field have straight trunks their branches are not straight. Very realistic Great pot choice too. Who is the pot by?
Cheers
Kirky

[benny350]

Thanks Kirky, Thanks Watto

Glad to see it's capturing the image I'm going for. As for the pot I'll have to check, I bought it off Rory when he was selling a bunch of pots a while back... pretty sure it was from an Aussie potter.

Edit: Thread for the pots, it's number 11 viewtopic.php?f=102&t=24094&start=0&hilit=Pots

[KIRKY]

Thanks Benny, thought the pot look familiar. Joanne makes some really nice pots
A good choice for your tree.
Cheers
Kirky

[MJL]

Great Job Benny! A top pot and tree combo. And further to your reference to Rory’s grand sale... great pick up by you.

I am not sure I was active on the forum at the time of Rory’s pot post... bummer! Again it shows the value of this forum and the active community of participants! Good stuff.


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[Keels]

WOW i love the difference between the tree in the bonsai pot and a plastic pot.. Well done.

[Stimson]

Nice progress. Much better now as a stand alone tree

[anthonyW]

Hi there you have done well to get some wiggle in the trunk ...but to me you have two glaring faults in 2d images and feel free to correct me especially up top, if there is 4 coming up i would remove one and/or if only 3 rotate potting angle to disguise the obvious 'V' hole by a slight rotate left to right and the slight rotate will help the left over root if you were to remove the left thick root,... very camel toe to me....sorry to be burst your bubble from my point a view,...just my from here,...but the reality is from me is you don t get credits just because it is a native...I think you know what I mean, at the end of the day another species in a pot...yes...address now regret later...just thoughts, if you don t agree dismiss immediately my friend.

cheers Anthony

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