AusBonsai

In the October '17 photo in the lower left just above the date I can see flower buds. Did you prune that off or let it open? I may have given you a clue as to what variety of Callistemon you have.
Cheers, Frank.

Raging Bull wrote:In the October '17 photo in the lower left just above the date I can see flower buds. Did you prune that off or let it open? I may have given you a clue as to what variety of Callistemon you have.
Cheers, Frank.

Hey Frank how's it going?
Yes that's the pic I mentioned previous post which shows just the one flower bunch. From memory I think this aborted from actually fully opening, or was really weak & insignificant if it had.
Have you had much experience with growing these?

Hi KCAR, I should have replied before but Sno gave me a reminder.
From my observations of the work done at the NBPCA no trimming is done of Callistemon when you want them to flower from about March to flowering time, which is usually October/November. As these are the cooler months there is not as much growth and if tree are setting flower buds a lot of energy is directed toward to the buds, thus less growth. After flowering cut back hard.
I have used this method with success. The hardest thing to do is not trim when you see a branch outside the preferred profile, but self discipline is good for the sole so I am told.

Quick update...so it wants to weep, It's a weeper! And I want flowers.
My original Windswept intention?
Tree said "no way...rack off hairy legs..& try again".
Thanks to everyone here who has given advice and comments thus far. Keep calm.

Congratulations.
I have found that once they start flowering it occurs more regularly and with increased numbers (of flowers that is). I have given all mine a good trim during January and I have no intention of walking past them with scissors in hand until they flower.
I think yours is Callistemon viminalis (probably Captain Cook).

It's beautiful as a weeper!

Watto wrote: ↑February 2nd, 2020, 6:35 am Congratulations.
I have found that once they start flowering it occurs more regularly and with increased numbers (of flowers that is).

Watto I think you may right (never really doubted you at all...)

In the first week of June I cut a few of the weeping branches back by approx half - new shoots formed from the tips, developing into flower buds without too much further extension. First week of October I am now being rewarded.

Another few comparison photos to add to the journey.

Love it! I'm so in love with bottlebrush as bonsai. Getting flowers on mine for the first time too!

Oh, and I should mention, I root pruned and bonsai-potted one of mine in June too, as well as giving it a pretty hard prune. That one is a mass of flower buds, and this is its first flowering since I took the air layer 4 years ago. Another one I took as an air layer 3 years ago is also flowering. Both appear to be the same as yours - weeping habit.. Capt Cook, I think, is the variety.

I also bought a white flowered one - (Wilderness White,) a couple of years back, root pruned and bonsai potted in June, and it's flowering also. I suspect those of us in warmer climes have more of a chance of flowers after an early Winter prune than Canberra trees...

melbrackstone wrote: ↑October 3rd, 2020, 4:37 pm Love it! I'm so in love with bottlebrush as bonsai. Getting flowers on mine for the first time too!

Wow Mel sounds like you've had great success with yours. Well done! Would love to see some photos if you get a chance. Do you own a camera?

It definitely is warming up here in Newy too & the street callistemon are flowering abundantly throughout the neighborhood. They really are a stand out tree when in full bloom.

I'm pretty excited KCAR! Mine aren't as snazzy as yours, but they're flowering, or about to!!

What a privilege to see.. thanks so much for sharing Mel. You've got a lovely collection there & as expected the photography puts me to shame!

Thanks KCAR, your photos are excellent, and show off the tree beautifully! That tree of yours is meant for great things, I reckon.

I'm looking forward to seeing it develop over the years.

things are happening...so here's a quick photo update to record this tree's continuing journey.

Wow, that's going to be magnificent once those flowers open! What a tree!

I am a bottlebrush fan and this will look great in a few weeks. May we have more photos please?