AusBonsai

melbrackstone wrote: ↑October 22nd, 2021, 6:45 pm The difference between the first shot and this one is very striking, leaf size, girth and shape. Beaut little tree, Ryceman!

Agree - Sweet looking tree R3

Elegant. Lovely tree.

It has come a long way and is looking great.

A tidy up and photo to finish off this entry in the comp.
There is a lot of work still to be done on refining the foliage but I'm happy with the "bones" and the progression of this tree over the timeline.
I repotted it in February into this new container, which I think proportionally suits it a little better, and I think the colour compliments the tree very well. As expected, it didn't really miss a beat and was back to budding/growing in no time. I'll be looking to extend and grow out a more developed apex/canopy which I think will give the tree a bit more "authenticity".
I would say the aesthetic I'm leaning towards is a park/suburban specimen tree, I'm not sure I have ever seen a M.Linariifolia in the bush?!?
In any case, here it is in all its glory! I have also included a pic from above to give a better sense of the branching/spread (although I'm not sure how effective that is... nonetheless...).
I enjoyed the competition, I find them motivating - I doubt I would have progressed the tree this far if it hadn't been for a deadline. Too much opportunity for procrastination! Thanks to Rory for all the effort in putting it together, it's been a fun ride.

I love this tree too. The pot is perfect for it.

Cut back today… it’s filling out.

Another repot today... a trim and then placed back in the same pot.
Just keeping the thread up to date, same thories/techniques used as previous M. linariifolia posted.

Glad you kept that lower branch at the base. Really nice pot too.

What is with the glove?

Rory wrote: ↑February 12th, 2023, 2:24 pm What is with the glove?

Michael Jackson was on Spotify while I was getting busy ...
Nah ... it's just a gardening glove, I always wear them when repotting ... well, mostly.
Washing up is way easier, no direct contact with the mix and these ones have a good "feel" for the tree (not big and cumbersome).
Win/win/win.

Ryceman3 wrote: ↑February 12th, 2023, 3:41 pm

Rory wrote: ↑February 12th, 2023, 2:24 pm What is with the glove?

Michael Jackson was on Spotify while I was getting busy ...
Nah ... it's just a gardening glove, I always wear them when repotting ... well, mostly.
Washing up is way easier, no direct contact with the mix and these ones have a good "feel" for the tree (not big and cumbersome).
Win/win/win.

nothing wrong with a bit of MJ on the radio.

Yeah gloves would be impossible for me. Maybe that’s why my fingers look like skeletor.
I wouldn’t be able to get the dexterity or get the accuracy I need with gloves when repotting.

This is definitely my favourite of the Mels to use.
It’s definitely the best for newbies out there too. They’re so forgiving. I prefer the smaller dwarf varieties as the foliage makes them look so realistic.

I’ve bought a heap more of these glorious trees and did a few trials of removing about 85% root and cutting off no foliage. They all survived without any problems. I do get that you'd be cautious about leaving all the foliage on tho. If you were to get dieback, its better to have removed unwanted foliage and make sure thats the foliage that is gone, rather than having the tree randomly lose foliage you wanted to keep.
But I’m also a lot more careful on repotting now than I used to be when I was younger.

Ryceman, you should take a look at Melaleuca tamarascina.
For your style of smaller material bonsai, they would be epic. They are very small leaved, the branches heavily weep (so beautiful), and the bark is beautiful and papery. I’m smitten on the species now.
They’re a real winner, and tolerate wet feet / heavy shade and full sun. But you can’t let them get very dry.

Rory - dead branches here too!

(M. tamariscina, stolen from Wikipedia)
Gavin (sorry, I'm a bit obsessed...)

Looking great Ryceman ,that bottom branch is very cool and thickening up nicely. Another option for a smaller tree would be to try a Mel halmaturorum , a bit of a challenge, no back budding at all, slow to grow. But great papery bark and minute leaves, will keep you on your toes Enjoying the updates. Cheers John

Rory wrote: ↑February 12th, 2023, 8:01 pm Ryceman, you should take a look at Melaleuca tamarascina.
For your style of smaller material bonsai, they would be epic. They are very small leaved, the branches heavily weep (so beautiful), and the bark is beautiful and papery. I’m smitten on the species now.
They’re a real winner, and tolerate wet feet / heavy shade and full sun. But you can’t let them get very dry.

Not heard of this Mel so I'll keep my eyes out when I'm on the wander for something different. Small leaves and papery bark is a very attractive combo. No danger of heavy shade here, but can supply full sun!

boom64 wrote: ↑February 13th, 2023, 7:44 pm Looking great Ryceman ,that bottom branch is very cool and thickening up nicely. Another option for a smaller tree would be to try a Mel halmaturorum , a bit of a challenge, no back budding at all, slow to grow. But great papery bark and minute leaves, will keep you on your toes Enjoying the updates. Cheers John

Thanks John, I think I actually have a few M. halmaturorum grown from seed (part of the Mel Project thread I haven't updated in a while ... the ID isn't 100% though). Definitely a slow burn in terms of development but it's good to have stuff sitting at the back of the benches just doing it's thing until it is ready for some attention.

Been a hot minute since an update on this one.
I gave it a bit of a tidy up today, thinned out excessive foliage to allow light in and get a bit more order back in the silhouette. I've left the bottom branch long and more "full" than the rest. This tree is very apically dominant and the bottom was noticeably weaker than the top ... so just to keep things even! I actually deliberated removing the part of the lower branch that covers the trunk... but it stays for now.

I repotted this Mel recently and got it back into what I consider to be a more appropriate pot.
I think it suits the tree pretty nicely, it was a purchase from Bad Swan Ceramics (just FYI for those wondering).
All should be good from here heading into some summer sun ...