Acacia daphnifolia (I think!) - Northern Manna Wattle experiment.

[Justin M]

Hi all,

I'm about 2 years into a wattle experiment and thought I'd post before I do anything too drastic and have to start again. I work (and half live) in Wiluna WA and we have this lovely wattle growing at the shed (see pic, note it's looking less lush than it used to from some die back or bug that ate leaves over summer). When it's in full bloom coming into winter its glorious with the smooth red bark. I thought it was a Mulga variety, but after a good crack at a key I think it could be Acacia daphnifolia. Similar to a mulga in form, and I figure a tough and long-lived acacia. It has produced heaps of seeds the last three years (since I've moved here) and given we've had good rains the last few years tonnes of seedlings have popped up around it. So a couple of years ago I dug up a few and put them in a wicking bed with the red soil from around the shed, and took to Perth (where I other half live). Two lasted and have boosted pretty well. I just gave one its first chop and it has back branched nicely which is a great sign. I'll aim for a bit of a broom style with it, basically mimicking the natural form. Maybe the other one I'll get more funky with. Plenty of back up seedlings in the garden as you can see so it might dig out some more soon. Anyhoo, hopefully I have updates in the future worth sharing!

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[shibui]

Great to have you trying another Aussie species.
I doubt that anyone has ever tried this species before so please keep trying different techniques and posting good or bad results.
Just try to keep to accepted definitions. Back budding/ bank branching means new shoots on bare wood, not just that existing branches grow after chopping the top.
Please excuse if I have misinterpreted the photos

[Justin M]

G'day Shibui,

Thanks for the reply and encouragement! I'm now even keener to dig up some more seedlings (I have to anyway they'll crack the concrete if they keep going) and try different things. If there are any key things to experiment with and take note of please let me know (responds to wiring, root chopping obviously, timing, substrate etc...).

Noted on correct terminology. However it did actually back bud on the main trunk. That's just poor photography and laziness, I should have moved it back to against the wall for a clearer shot. See the following close ups of the trunk just after chopping and the month or so after:

post chop.jpeg

new shoots.jpeg

[shibui]

However it did actually back bud on the main trunk.

Apologies for doubting your words.
New shoots on bare wood is a great trait for bonsai as that allows us to grow the trees big then chop back.

My son was working FIFO up that way a few years ago. Very interesting country.