Agonis Flexuosa styling

[Crowie]

Got this Agonis Flexuosa from discounted stock at 50% off thought it was a bargain (reduced to $20).
It had a lot of dead leaves etc below the canopy but was also putting on new growth so gave it a hair cut!
Was 600mm high but cut back to 300mm.
Trunk is 50mm diameter.
Any advice on future styling? To many branches/options so thought you guys might help.
Cheers

[Jamie]

hey mate

nice piece of nursery stock! lots of branching and a good price

i dont know the species but if the branches arent brittle i would be wiring it all out and giving it some good placement, this one could make a nice informal broom with all those twigs.

first thing i would do though is give it a few good doses of seasol and make the tree happy

jamie

[Crowie]

Hey Jamie,
I have been giving it some seasol since i got it about a month ago as it didnt look to happy.
I think this is why it has started putting on new growth.
The species is an Aussie native and thought I would start with some natives after seeing some amazing stuff here.
Was hoping someone might help with some concepts.
The trunk has some good movement but dont want to start "hacking" at it without a plan.
Cheers

[Jamie]

yep get some seasol and get it in there

i did a google search and found some basic info on them, i couldnt find how they react to pruning though but if it is backbudding well onto older wood it should be fine

styling wise you have a few options depending on what you want. it has a thickish main trunk which you could cut back to a regrow branching for an informal upright. you could also make this into a decent broom style tree. it has a weeping habit with the foliage so maybe think about styling like a willow overhang a pond/lake which would be quite convincing too

i will try and get a virtual possibility done tonight for you

[Crowie]

Thanks Jamie,
Some interesting ideas, I think the willow overhang has some merit.
A virtual would be very appreciated.
What software do you use for creating virtuals?
Its a lot easier to regrow an electronic branch than a real one!!!!

[Jamie]

gday mate

i use paint.net, its a free download, just google it and it will come up with no probs. its easy to use and figure out

[Pup]

G,day Crowie the Agonis flexuosa is a WA plant, with 7 cultivars. Agonis has 10 other species. All of them from WA, all of them have been cultivated for gardens some as Bonsai.

They will also thrive in the humidity of the East coast, they like a free draining soil which is great for Bonsai. Many species have a strong resistance to salt laden winds.

Use of a general fertiliser encourages vigorous growth. It is relatively free of pest's! borer's can be a problem. Propagation is done from both seed and cuttings.

I personally do not grow them but friends have, and report that treat them like most natives, the leaves do reduce, by cutting back the large leaves, and leaving the smaller ones.

They do shoot back on old wood, but as I always say do not go beyond green. Give the sap reason to go along the branch/ twig.

Hope this is of help, cheers Pup

[Crowie]

Thanks for the info Pup.
And thanks for the virt Jamie.
Very much appreciated.

[dennismc]

Hi Crowie

It is nice to see someone else using this species in bonsai. Despite being one of the easiest natives to bonsai it is rarely used.

I have been growing one for over 12 years and have not experienced any particular problems. The tree has developed into an excellent bonsai that I have regularly exhibited.

It can be generally treated the same as any of the exotics. The only special requirement is to ensure that it does not dry out for 3 weeks after root pruning. The foliage has a somewhat drooping aspect and shows best when this is encouraged. Please keep us informed of its progress.

regards
Dennis Mc

[Pup]

Very interesting point you make Dennis. Being a big fan of Melaleucas I have never tried one. What surprises me is there are not many here in WA either.

A very old friend has a couple, like you say they have that weeping habit in the foliage. Where I live the council has replaced the ficus with them as street trees.

If i can find a large enough specimen I might give one a try.

Cheers Pup

[Pup]

Deleted as it was a double up

[Xmonkey]

Any updates on your agonis Crowie?

Just got about a dozen seeds germinated in the last 2-3 weeks. Would like to see what others are doing with them.

Cheers.

[Andrew Legg]

I second that. Got me one on the weekend at a not so local nursery. I reversed over the first one I got there, and snapped it off at the base, so I am pleased I managed to find another one. Will post a pic or two once it stops raining

Look forward to an update.

Cheers,

Andrew

[shibui]

I reversed over the first one I got there, and snapped it off at the base, so I am pleased I managed to find another one.

Hope they have not let you look after kids yet Andrew

[Andrew Legg]

I reversed over the first one I got there, and snapped it off at the base, so I am pleased I managed to find another one.

Hope they have not let you look after kids yet Andrew

Lol. Unfortunately yes, although they tend to make more noise than bonsai, so I've yet to reverse over one of 'em!