[NATURAL] Melaleuca rhaphiophylla - terryb

[Ryceman3]

Thanks for your thoughts R3. l had a slightly different idea for the apex but always happy to hear other people's views; helps break me out of own fixed ideas and consider other options

Cool! Look forward to seeing what you have in mind... just throwing stuff out there - clearly no obligation and I defer to your concept wholeheartedly given you have the tree in front of you, have considered it I’m sure over a long period and probably most importantly... you know what you’re doing. Enjoy and I look forward to the next instalment!

[melbrackstone]

This tree certainly does tick many boxes to be a wonderful bonsai subject. Love what you've done with this Terry, it's gonna be a ripper!

[terryb]

... you know what you’re doing.

Hmm, debatable. I am very much learning as I go.

This tree certainly does tick many boxes to be a wonderful bonsai subject. Love what you've done with this Terry, it's gonna be a ripper!

Thanks Mel.

[Matt S]

Great natural looking taper on this, well done Terry.

[terryb]

October update:

Was looking to have this one finished for the original deadline but with the extension, I will leave repotting for another week or so. I have been working on ramification and you can just see some regrowth from the last trim which was about 4 weeks ago. I have removed the leftmost lowest sacrifice and opted for a jin. The photograph angle is slightly off and needs to be rotated anticlockwise a bit.

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[terryb]

The final update.

Unlike my other entry, this one did not miss a beat on repotting into its new pot and has been trimmed back twice more since that time. It was also wired twice in that time with the wire needing to be removed after about 4 weeks each time. I need to learn how to take better photos as the front branches don't really show up in the photo. The top branches have got a bit leggy for my liking and a hard cutback is scheduled for spring. The lower back branch needs to develop a bit more ramification also.

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Once again thanks for putting the competition up Rory.

[Ryceman3]

This is great motivation. I hope to have trunks this thick and interesting on my versions of this species in the next 12 months or so.
Nice job on this, love the Mels!