Kunzea Baxteri - Scarlet Kunzea

Post photo's of your bonsai under-construction for discussion and inspiration.
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Patmet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 392
Joined: March 31st, 2019, 8:21 am
Favorite Species: WA natives
Bonsai Age: 5
Bonsai Club: Albany Bonsai Collective, Bonsai Society of Western Australia
Location: Albany, Western Australia
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Kunzea Baxteri - Scarlet Kunzea

Post by Patmet »

Kunzea Baxteri I bought as small tubestock in 2019. As you will see in the photo it was not a very healthy looking specimen. I remember the guy at the nursery asked are you sure you want this one? For some reason I did, so he gave it to me free of charge. It ended up recovering and becoming healthy.

The design of this one is definitely a bit different. I really wanted this to be rugged, gnarly, and convey an old tree that has had a hard life. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I am really happy with the form it is starting to take now, for me it feels natural and gives me the feeling of South Western Australia.
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April 2019 - Unhealthy tubestock
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August 2021
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February 2022 - Before work
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February 2022 - After work
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December 2022 - Before work
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December 2022 - After work
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22nd January 2023
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Patmet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 392
Joined: March 31st, 2019, 8:21 am
Favorite Species: WA natives
Bonsai Age: 5
Bonsai Club: Albany Bonsai Collective, Bonsai Society of Western Australia
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Has thanked: 459 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

Re: Kunzea Baxteri - Scarlet Kunzea

Post by Patmet »

Revisited this tree recently. It's starting to get a lot more branches now from clipping and growing. I'll go in with wire again to work the design when growth slows down a bit. Just pruning for now.
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Before prune



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After pruning
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Rory
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2885
Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
Bonsai Age: 27
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Re: Kunzea Baxteri - Scarlet Kunzea

Post by Rory »

That’s looking nice mate. This species is fantastic for bonsai.
Keep updating every year. :beer:
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
Patmet
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 392
Joined: March 31st, 2019, 8:21 am
Favorite Species: WA natives
Bonsai Age: 5
Bonsai Club: Albany Bonsai Collective, Bonsai Society of Western Australia
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Has thanked: 459 times
Been thanked: 700 times
Contact:

Re: Kunzea Baxteri - Scarlet Kunzea

Post by Patmet »

I've let this grow wild for a bit to keep thickening the trunk and branches but have just cut it back to keep it from getting too leggy. It's a bit out of proportion right now as a result but when it buds again I'll reign it back in more.

It's been an interesting process letting this one mostly lead the way and not imposing any sort of conventional shape.
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After the free growing phase.
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Cut everything long and sraight out back to the weaker interior leaves.
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