AusBonsai

anttal63 wrote:tough as tridents but delicate as japanese maples.

Gday Antonio!

That's a very good way of describing my experiences with Lilly Pillies, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of them.

Here's a few progress pics:
Thanks!

Fly.

Nice shape and movement Brian! I like the pot too.
How's the deadwood holding up?

Regards,
Steven

Hi Bri is that DL scattered over the mix in the photos ? I was of the understanding that lilly pilly's were allergic to it ?

Tony

Mine seem to love full sun all year round. I only lose my nerve on the mid 40 days and put them under cover. They have occasional drooped from drying out and recover with no visible leaf damage. It seems to like to dry out a little. Can't imagine them in a dish of water as others do
On the other extreme after leaving my best one on display at the Orange club display under shade cloth and auto watered it has taken me a year to get it going agian. It was continually yellow as in nutrient deficient even though I was feeding heavily.

What ever you are doing with yours looks like it is working. I see you gave up on the clip and grow method only

Steven wrote:How's the deadwood holding up?

Gday Mr Steven!

The deadwood is pretty spongy - even a fingernail is enough to gouge bits out of it. When I get a chance, I reckon I'll hollow it out.

Bougy Fan wrote:Hi Bri is that DL scattered over the mix in the photos ? I was of the understanding that lilly pilly's were allergic to it ?

Gday Tony!

It is a mixture of DL and Seamungus. I've never heard about Lilly Pillies being averse to Dynamic Lifter, and in the past I've only ever used DL and Charlie Carp to fertilise all my trees, including this one.

Bretts wrote:I see you gave up on the clip and grow method only

Gday Brettles!

I don't recall ever denouncing wire altogether, but I do prefer the natural movement and taper that can be achieved by Clip'N'Grow. When using wire on this specimen, great care is required as the new branching is quite delicate and its fast growth can cause wire to cut in really quickly.

Thanks all!

Fly.

Nice progression on this one, Brian. I love the movement of the trunk and branches and the texture on the trunk- the tree looks old already.

I also like to work with these trees because they are so hardy and can take a lot of "abuse".

Good work.

Lennard

FlyBri wrote:

Bretts wrote:I see you gave up on the clip and grow method only

Gday Brettles!

I don't recall ever denouncing wire altogether, but I do prefer the natural movement and taper that can be achieved by Clip'N'Grow. When using wire on this specimen, great care is required as the new branching is quite delicate and its fast growth can cause wire to cut in really quickly.

Thanks all!

Fly.

My mistake Fly. Been a while since we had this discussion. I still haven't snapped a branch on my lilly pilly's but I haven't wired them much either

Sorry about the cruddy pics...

Nice tree fly
How come you trying to layer again? Not happy with the roots again?

Ken

kcpoole wrote:How come you trying to layer again? Not happy with the roots again?

Gday KC!

I'm not layering this time: just trying to get some roots to grow in a few of the gaps. If I leave the ring in place until the next repot, I should have plenty of roots to choose from.

Thanks!

Fly.

cool Fly
watching with interest to use on one of mine if the roots no good at next repot

FlyBri wrote:

kcpoole wrote:How come you trying to layer again? Not happy with the roots again?

Gday KC!

I'm not layering this time: just trying to get some roots to grow in a few of the gaps. If I leave the ring in place until the next repot, I should have plenty of roots to choose from.

Thanks!

Fly.

Fly, I can't figure out what is going on here: you are talking about a ring but I only see toothpicks? and glue? Can you please clear this up for me?

Lennard

lennard wrote:Fly, I can't figure out what is going on here: you are talking about a ring but I only see toothpicks? and glue? Can you please clear this up for me?

Gday Lennard!

Looking at my post, I can understand your confusion. The 'ring' I refer to is the plastic pot rim which contains Bonsai soil above the original soil level. I have drilled about half a dozen holes into the trunk where no roots are present, and into these holes I have inserted lengths of bamboo skewers. I am experimenting with mixing root hormone powder with PVA glue, as I believe that the glue will help prevent the hormone from washing away on the first watering.

Anyway, the whole purpose of the exercise is to attempt to force new roots to grow where the trunk has been injured.

Thanks.

Fly.

Thanks for clearing that up.

Lennard

More to come...

Thanks.

FlyBri.