A Sneak Preview For My AusBonsai Friends: River Red Gum

[FlyBri]

Wow FlyBri can't wait to see what happens next.

Well, you're gonna have to wait until tomorrow, as I'm a bit behind the 8 ball today. I can give a bit of a hint though, just to tide you over...

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[John Hill]

Its coming along nicely Fly. I to will watch this tree with interest. I like the pot as well.

A Friend in bonsai
John

[FlyBri]

Morning folks!

As with many of my Eucs this time of year, it was apparent that no amount of watering could sustain this tree throughout the course of a hot, windy day. Time to get in and start sorting out those roots...

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As you can see, I have finally removed that lower left hand branch (and been pretty brutal about it too). This has allowed me to open up the front a bit more, but the further I turn the trunk, the more problems the fat root creates, as it ends up pointing almost directly at the viewer...

I'll have a look and a think about it today, and maybe make some more changes. Updates to follow.

Questions?

Thanks.

Fly.

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

What better way to spend an unusually warm Easter Sunday than trimming and wiring an old Euc? There's still a long way to go (I hope to one day achieve a broad, rounded canopy) but I think I'm on the right track.

River_Red_Apr_10_01.jpg

Sorry about the photo - it is well past the best time of day for photos here...

Thanks.

Fly.

[Glenda]

Fly,

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading this progression. This is a perfect example of what is the best thing about this forum. People willing to share their experience with us 'newbies', no holding back. Thank you.

Glenda

[Jamie]

loving the work fly

have you tried to get the branches on these diving dramatically down? like we see in nature? when i get my hands on one i plan on trying to do so but would like to know if any one has first hand experience it getting them to hang down?

cheers

jamie

[Ash Barns]

G'day Mr. Fly .... I have been following the progress of this tree for a few years now and I feel you have got it to a good point. Never liked that L/H lower branch and good to see it gone. The branch structure looks fine to me and gets away from the stereotype Japanese style trees we all grew up with. This is an Australian design well suited to lead the way for 'Australian Style' as far as I am concerned.

Ash

[Bretts]

Always great to see how this is going Fly Like I said in another thread I am much more impressed with this tree since I have seen the style of Gum that you seem to portray.

[PeterH]

Brian,

Looking much better. Definitely heading toward a Euc style. I'll be interested in the development of the canopy and whether it will reduce leaf size.


Peter

[EdwardH]

Hi Fly,

I am really enjoying this post. Have you had much success in internode & leaf reduction? I have two Eucalyptus sideroxylon which grow well but the internodes are awkward. Looking forward to next installment

[FlyBri]

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It's looking a bit shaggy and out of control, but I'll wait until it starts pushing growth and then give it a wire and a trim.

Thanks.

Fly.

[MattA]

Hey Fly,

that is coming along great... reds are one of many species i want to start growing, all those magnificent ones I used to see out on the wimmera plains & up round the Murray... I did have a few littluns when I was on the property in vic but wasnt able to keep enough water up to them.

I am intrigued, you dont defoliate when repotting... what is your after care regime?? Apologies if you have already said before... I have a euc that is needing repotting for much the same reasons, not able to keep the water up to it on a hot or windy day like today.... twice daily is not enough... its not getting watered 3 times tho.. it can stress a little...

Matt

[FlyBri]

I am intrigued, you dont defoliate when repotting... what is your after care regime?? Apologies if you have already said before... I have a euc that is needing repotting for much the same reasons, not able to keep the water up to it on a hot or windy day like today.... twice daily is not enough... its not getting watered 3 times tho.. it can stress a little...

Gday Matt!

I used to follow the Koreshoffs' recommendation of complete defoliation at repotting time, but have observed with this one (and others) that this is not really necessary. There have been times where I've repotted when the tree has self-defoliated (due to neglect), but I like to keep some foliage on so that I can gauge the health of the tree after the repot.

I also like to think - possibly incorrectly - that keeping a handful of leaves on the finer branches means that I am less likely to lose them to the stronger branches. I have found that pruning fine branches beyond the foliage will often result in the death of the branch. Keeping some foliage on means - IMHO - that transpiration can work in my favour, by maintaining the flow of water within such branches, thus helping to keep them alive. (Maybe?)

Aftercare is much like Dennismc mentions HERE: a well-drained mix, watered often for the first few weeks after repotting.

* * *

Bri,
...you have inspired me to try natives... I am going to get some Acacia and Callistemon, however I would appreciate your advice on how to obtain Camaldulensis seedlings, how experienced you think I need to be before trying it, what instruction/advice you can offer, and whether that advice is different for the lemon-scented eucalypt?
There is a massive river red on our (Adelaide's) Botanical Gardens, and I would love to basea bonsai on him!!
Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you once again...
Ben

Gday Ben!

This particular tree began as a seedling I bought from the local market, but River Reds should grow readily from seed: simply place a number of ripe gumnuts into a paper bag for a couple of weeks in a warm, dry place. When the gumnuts have opened, you should have a number of seeds plus a lot of other debris. (I am not an expert on propagating Eucs, so somebody else here might be better able to explain.)

I don't think there is any minimum experience level required to start working with River Red seedlings: this tree is one of my very first attempts at Bonsai, and I started growing it when I had less than a year's worth of Bonsai knowledge. Just get some seedlings and have a go!

Thanks gents!

Fly.

[soda]

Fly, love this little Red!
I noticed that the branch that was cut was quite horizontal, did this add to the reasons leading you to lopping it?. When wiring young gums should we let branches stay at a rising anglen (like the 2nd and 3rd branch), rather than the more typical non native bonsai styles of horizontal or even down?

Thanks Soda

PS I love how young shoots are a great indicator of dryness! My little red is a window into all my other bonsais.

[MattA]

I am intrigued, you dont defoliate when repotting... what is your after care regime?? Apologies if you have already said before... I have a euc that is needing repotting for much the same reasons, not able to keep the water up to it on a hot or windy day like today.... twice daily is not enough... its not getting watered 3 times tho.. it can stress a little...

Gday Matt!

I used to follow the Koreshoffs' recommendation of complete defoliation at repotting time, but have observed with this one (and others) that this is not really necessary. There have been times where I've repotted when the tree has self-defoliated (due to neglect), but I like to keep some foliage on so that I can gauge the health of the tree after the repot.

I also like to think - possibly incorrectly - that keeping a handful of leaves on the finer branches means that I am less likely to lose them to the stronger branches. I have found that pruning fine branches beyond the foliage will often result in the death of the branch. Keeping some foliage on means - IMHO - that transpiration can work in my favour, by maintaining the flow of water within such branches, thus helping to keep them alive. (Maybe?)

Aftercare is much like Dennismc mentions HERE: a well-drained mix, watered often for the first few weeks after repotting.

Fly.

Thanks Fly,

Your reasoning makes sense, I usually loose some of the smaller twigs after repotting so think I might try your way next time.

One thing I have found is that if sacrifice branchs are left untrimmed when other pruning is done they can sap the energy from the rest of the tree and I loose lots of the smaller branches. Same if I allow a shoot to develop to strongly on any branch (say if I want to continue the line)..

I am still working out these eucy's and think i will be for the rest of my days Dont think I will be waiting much longer before i get some reds going... might see how they go with being ground grown & redug at intervals...

Matt