Stenocarpus sinatus

[Damian Bee]

Stenocarpus sinatus. Family Proteaceae.

I have had one of these guys for a few years now. It has been sitting in the old shadehouse area until I had the opportunity to redevelop.
It was well attached to the ground but nothing a good shovel did not fix.
The trunk at the base is around 50mm across, I have not checked out the roots just yet.

Are there any Ausbonsai-ists out there with one of these?
I have done little to it except a trunk chop 2 years back.
I don't know if it will take leaf reduction?

In October I will repot and perhaps trunk chop again in December as it does back bud.
Any advice would be welcome

[Joel]

Hi Damien,

I have not worked on these as bonsai but I am very familiar with the tree. Being one of the rainforest proteaceae, you may have some trouble down in Melbourne with it. Their immature leaves are quite a bit larger than the mature ones, and unfortunately it is the immature ones you will need to reduce. I am intrigued but sceptical about its use as bonsai. Keep us updated!

Joel

[MattA]

Hey Damian,

I picked up one of these as very rootbound nursery stock a couple years ago.

R0013989.JPG

It took major root reduction without a hassle (bare rooted & reduced over 75%) Regrowth & back budding is strong but I never got to find out how far foliage will reduce.... It died of root rot last summer...

Matt

[Joel]

I am eager to try Stenocarpus davallioides but can't find it anywhere. I imagine its fine fern like leaves could be cut back like a Grevillea robusta.

Joel