Melaleuca pruning

[Pup]

Just recently we have had some questions on the pruning of Melaleucas, with some species in particular. Well I have just pruned some of mine.

So here are some before and after shots. The trees might not meet the height to trunk ratio but I don't give a rats ass.
As I have my own trees that I have styled and not relied on others.

I have also been reluctant to post for fear of having more posts and PMs regarding the book.

IT is NOT going to happen, end of no more discussion will be entered on the subject.

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[Glenda]

Thanks for that, Pup. I was going to PM to ask when I should prune my linariifolia, but if you have just done yours, mine should be fine up here in the tropical north

Someone should archive all of Pup's posts and photos, and we put together the book ourselves! We'll get a book out of you yet, Pup!

Glenda

[Amanda]

The trees might not meet the height to trunk ratio but I don't give a rats ass

Neither do I, Pup. I am in awe. I love our natives and I love yours as bonsai. I think you are onto something incredible.

[Grant Bowie]

For everyone who hasn't seen it in the flesh, that M Parvifolia is a large tree.

grant

[Glenda]

OK Pup. Just trimmed up two of the linarifolias I have (got too dark to do the last one). I had told you they had got very leggy with leaves only on the tips of the branches, and you said not to cut back past green. So I looked at each branch, and if the leaves grew down 2 cm, I cut 1 cm off - half the length of the branch that had leaves. Hope I did the right thing, but looking at your photos I estimated that was close to what you had done.

Some had long spindly skinny branches not much thicker than a thread with two leaves only on the ends, and I left them alone. The skinny thready branches with no leaves I cut off completely.

Will the linarifolia backbud at all? Have I done the right thing - before I attack the last one tomorrow

Glenda

[Pup]

G,day Glenda I have found that Linarifolia to be reluctant to thow out new growth on old wood. Although some growers from over your side of the Island say they have had them shoot back on old wood.

I find Claret tops a diiferent proposition though, which when you consider it is a hybrid, from the species, why does one and not the other?

Maybe one of our Horticulturists or Botanists can answer this, for us.

Cheers Pup

[kcpoole]

G,day Glenda I have found that Linarifolia to be reluctant to thow out new growth on old wood.
Cheers Pup

Bugger! Wish I had read this earlier today:-(
I cut one back hard today, so will have to see what happens now
Ken

[Glenda]

G,day Glenda I have found that Linarifolia to be reluctant to thow out new growth on old wood. Although some growers from over your side of the Island say they have had them shoot back on old wood.

I find Claret tops a diiferent proposition though, which when you consider it is a hybrid, from the species, why does one and not the other?

Maybe one of our Horticulturists or Botanists can answer this, for us.

Cheers Pup

I think mine is Claret Tops. The new growth is dark redish? If not, what do you do if it gets too leggy? Turf it? Most of the branches are very thin - thread thickness. The two small ones are OK, but the taller on is about 30 cm tall and very leggy already.

Glenda

[Mitchell]

Thanks for that Pup. Pruned mine back last night and snapped a portion the trunk off. Hope this snapping method works... I am sure it will, I can see why they would bud on the snap.

[Webos]

I'm interested in your 2nd Claret Tops in the photos and where you see it going in the future in terms of styling.

[Joel]

G,day Glenda I have found that Linarifolia to be reluctant to thow out new growth on old wood. Although some growers from over your side of the Island say they have had them shoot back on old wood.

I find Claret tops a diiferent proposition though, which when you consider it is a hybrid, from the species, why does one and not the other?

Maybe one of our Horticulturists or Botanists can answer this, for us.

Cheers Pup

I find that odd too Pup. My M linariifolias shoot back no matter how hard i cut them. I have removed all foliage from a couple of them no worries. They are young though.....

On the other hand, with the Claret Tops, i have been warned NOT to prune them hard here as they cannot take it. That advice was given to me from a few very accomplished artists who have some nice Claret Tops in their possession. It was given to me the day after i cut one of mine back to nothing. It shot out EVERYWHERE. I have had not had problems with either of them. I do, however, use a coarse mix in a pond basket. I also sit the pond basket in an inch of water until it shoots out then ween it from the water gradually.

Ive said it before but i will say it again. Nice trees Pup!

Joel

[Joel]

Also, how tall is the small Claret Tops?

[Pup]

I'm interested in your 2nd Claret Tops in the photos and where you see it going in the future in terms of styling.

Here is what I have done today I decided it needed thinning and some branch removal. So here is a picture,

Joel here is a picture of them both together with a double A battery for comparison.
Some pics of another one I believe needed to be turned slightly to bring the feature of the species out as we know when they burn they will rejuvenate them selves.

And another one that is just starting its journey I think trunk ratio might be right for this one at 8cm including pot.

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[Glenda]

Hi Pup,

I just love your trees - they are so inspiring. It turns out my Linariifolia are Little Reds. Any tips for them? They are all cut back now. The two small ones aren't too bad, but the larger one is so leggy it was useless the way it was, so it can only improve!

Glenda

[Pup]

Try to get hold of some MiracleGro for Azaleas and Camellias that will push folia growth, which in turn will push growth along the branches, so you will get more overall growth.

Cheers Pup