Melaleucas and Shari

[Jester]

Hi there crazy kids.

You know as I take more of an interest in Melaleucas, I am curious as to why no-one is using shari on them? (Ok, hey I'm sure there are some out there). Is it because there are an Aussie native and it seems inappropriate? I have some claret tops and quite frankly I think they would look great with the right kind of shari.

Some views pls.

Thanks

John

[Mitchell]

"Is it because there are an Aussie native and it seems inappropriate?"

Couldn't think of anything more appropriate. With any creek that floods with mel's on the bank, they sustain massive amounts of damage from what the creek carries down stream.
I know on my local river/creeks the mels have a dramatic amount of shari on them as it floods profusely.

I say, give it a go!

[benny350]

I have been thinking this too, I don't think I've seen any Shari on Aussie native bonsai. I do think a good way to approach it is burning instead like in Mitchell's thread here.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6437&hilit=Fire+swept

It does give a distinct Aussie feel and one I'm keen to try.

[kcpoole]

Many of our Natives in the bush have large bbranches ripped off, and thus have the bark taken too. This leaves large natural Shari on them, so why not on our Bonsai too?

Also looking at carved sections too to emulate the torn off branches

Ken

[shibui]

There have been a number of natives with shari shown at the Native bonsai show at Canberra. Some really great Eucs with shari at the base of the trunk, just like the real thing. Pup has posted pics and info on creating shari on Melaleucas in WA. My Callistemon 'Waterswept' has both jin and shari to simulate damage done by floodwater. Pics are posted on my gallery and elsewhere in threads on developing native bonsai.
So, yes, natives can and do have shari and they look good too.

[Pup]

A lot of my yamadori have natural shari, if you look at the middle tree in the header it has shari, jin's are also used by me. You have to make sure they are strong on larger trees and be careful on smaller tree's.

As shibui says I do use it quite a lot, and I do use with lots of care a Blowtorch. For two reason to preserve the wood and create the bushfire affect.

Cheers Pup