Booyong

[Nickbb]

Has anyone tried the Booyongs as bonsai? Awesome trees but off the radar. I just got one to try.

[GavinG]

A number of different "Booyong" come up when I search - the botanical name may be a pain, but it helps to specify what you've got.

From the looks of the photos, they look to be impressive rainforest trees (and we don't get a great variety of them in bonsai) but the leaves look large-to-massive, which may make proportions a bit of a problem in miniature. Maybe look for smaller-leafed rainforest trees (I know nothing about them) to add to your collection. I know there are a couple of very good Tristaniopsis (Water Gum) bonsai, where the leaves are quite small. Do they grow up your way?

As well as single-tree bonsai, maybe think about making a dense lush tropical group planting, if only to irritate the people who think that bonsai should always be Sparse and Elegant.

Good luck,

Gavin

[Raging Bull]

Water Gums grow very well on the Gold Coast. I have a couple in the garden and a self-sown one that I'm growing as a bonsai from one in the garden .

[Nickbb]

It's a White Booyong I also grabbed a couple of Blue Quondong. Mostly because they remind me of growing up in the Daintree.

[delisea]

Hey Nick,
I have both of these species growing on my property. They are beautiful trees, large, fairly fast growing and lush big leaves. They don't have any of the characteristics that we usually look for in bonsai If you were me you would definitely give them a go. There is a good chance that you will be the only person on the planet that have tried to bonsai them. Go for it.

There are literally dozens of native species in your neck of the woods that might make great bonsai. For example instead of the blue quandong, try it's smaller sister the blueberry ash, Eleocarpus retuculata.

I always thought that red cedar would be terrible to bonsai, but I started mucking around with some tube stock last year and I now think they are going to be winners. Check back in 10 years and I will post some pictures.
Cheers
Symon

[dansai]

One of the hardest things I've found with the large rainforest trees is that a cut back usually only produces one strong leader that races away very vertical. I have a Blue Quandong that grew roots into the ground and reached about 3m high before I cut it back and plucked it out with an excavator as it was in the way of other work. The trunk is about 8cm diameter and has buttress roots. It was cut down to about 600mm and has shot with multiple shoots. My guess is that rainforest trees may work best when treated this way, i.e. grown tall and fat, then cut back hard. Then its just a matter of ensuring one leader doesn't become too strong at the expense of others.

One thing to note too, new shoots usually emerge and head vertical so early wiring to get a better angle is probably there go.

[dansai]

Hey Nick,
I have both of these species growing on my property. They are beautiful trees, large, fairly fast growing and lush big leaves. They don't have any of the characteristics that we usually look for in bonsai If you were me you would definitely give them a go. There is a good chance that you will be the only person on the planet that have tried to bonsai them. Go for it.

There are literally dozens of native species in your neck of the woods that might make great bonsai. For example instead of the blue quandong, try it's smaller sister the blueberry ash, Eleocarpus retuculata.

I always thought that red cedar would be terrible to bonsai, but I started mucking around with some tube stock last year and I now think they are going to be winners. Check back in 10 years and I will post some pictures.
Cheers
Symon

Hey Symon,

Have you had much luck getting your Red Cedar to branch?

[delisea]

Hey Dan,

Yes. Super easy. Cut a growing tip and it will bud in lots of places. Or, put a bend in and it will get the odd bud where it is getting more light. Although they have one major flush of growth in the ground, in a pot with lots of fertiliser they go for most of the year.

If you don't mind the compound leaves I think they are a winner. They are such an iconic tree up our way it would be exciting if we could make them into a presentable bonsai.
Cheers
Symon

[Nickbb]

So are you trying to get bud back in the early stages or simply chasing girth?

[delisea]

Hey Nick, that is a big question. It depends. One thing for certain if you want movement in the trunk you have to put it in early. Also remember leaves are the solar cells if you don't have many you won't get much growth.

To answer your question I would be going for both. If you have a tuft of foliage at the end of tall trunk you won't have taper and that will be unsatisfying in the end. So you need some branches from the beginning.

If you are growing a booyong, I can't give much advice as I have only planted them as trees.
Cheers
Symon