Rescued callistemon

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Ryszil
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Rescued callistemon

Post by Ryszil »

Morning all,

I dug up this callistemon on site the other day. I realise it isn't the best time of year to dig but it would have been gone before the end of the day. Sadly I think a lot died before I got there. Hopefully this one will survive, I've been studying Pup's thread. It lost a few more roots than I wanted but I soaked it in seasol for around 2 days then potted up with quite a bit of well rotted compost mixed in. I'm pretty happy with the flare and flow of the trunk and I like how the leaves form. Still considering how to style but I can see several options. Any input here is welcome, at this stage should I give it a hard prune, just thin the top of leave it completely? The only thing I have done with the branches is take some for cuttings.
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Definately too tall but I'm wondering if it's had enough punishment for one year. The thick bit where it branches off is pretty straight
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The way the leaves bunch reminds me of how a JBP grows to a degree.

Gonna spend the rest of the day pondering this one while I knock of some chores around the house. Thanks guys
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Watto
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Re: Rescued callistemon

Post by Watto »

If it were mine I wouldn't touch it for 18 to 24 months. I would just let it grow, and even if it does shed for foliage I wouldn't do anything except water, and after 6 months for fertilizer.
That would be my method, however others may have other ideas.
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Re: Rescued callistemon

Post by shibui »

Sorry Ryszil but I would never put a new collected tree into a small bonsai po5. Too much chance of it getting a bit dry one day. A larger pot will give a better chance :imo:
Otherwise leave it as Watto has advised and hope.
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melbrackstone
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Re: Rescued callistemon

Post by melbrackstone »

Maybe since it's in the small pot now you can sit it in a tray of water to make sure it doesn't dry out? Otherwise leave it be for a year or so
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Re: Rescued callistemon

Post by Ryszil »

Thank you once again Shibui. The pot was just something I had on hand that had room for roots to grow, when I said it lost more roots than I would have liked I meant in the extraction of the tree, I didnt do it myself I asked a guy who was working as a spotter for an excavator if the tree was going. He had it dug out for me by the time I got my car down, I cut very little to get it into the pot, there is still room for it to grow but I must admit, I didn't think about the drying out factor.

A bit off topic but this guy below has is absolutely flourishing, in terms of pot size vs root area ratio I would say the callistemon has a lot more room. Sorry not trying to be argumentative I genuinely want to learn and for it to survive.
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If it is ok to ask about this tree in this thread I will. I have no intention of doing anything with it for quite some time but I am worried about the jin. Should I protect it with something? I have started reading about jins but I REALLY REALLY dont want to get this one wrong.

* edit It might also be worth noting, or I could be clutching at straws, but the callistemon was not dug from the wild. It was taken from a retirement village where a carpark was being extended. I am fairly certain it is nursery stock that has been in the ground for a while. There was certainly no tap root or anything like that. Fingers crossed :fc: maybe it will be ok*
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Last edited by Ryszil on March 10th, 2019, 7:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ryszil
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Re: Rescued callistemon

Post by Ryszil »

Sorry Mel, been meaning to say thanks for the suggestion, I think I'll give it a go or at least start looking for a tray that will fit the pot. So far so good, nothing has dried out and today was pretty warm.
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