Finally....It's Autumn in central highlands

[shibui]

Jamie, Cryptomeria leaves change colour - they turn bronze or brown in winter- but I don't think they actually fall off so not really deciduous. One of my junipers does the same - brown/green in winter then back to green when the weather warms up.

Tamarak is that the same as tamarisk? Can't think if it loses leaves all at once or not.

Bodi thanks for the blue suggestion. Now just need to find the right size and shape.....

[Jarrod]

Not sure shibui. I read it somewhere.

I suggest a red pot for the ginkgo.

[bodhidharma]

Jamie, Cryptomeria leaves change colour - they turn bronze or brown in winter- but I don't think they actually fall off so not really deciduous. One of my junipers does the same - brown/green in winter then back to green when the weather warms up.

Tamarak is that the same as tamarisk? Can't think if it loses leaves all at once or not.

Bodi thanks for the blue suggestion. Now just need to find the right size and shape.....

Yes, Cryptomeria does the same here. the dwarf variety is a little different in its appearance to its bigger brother and goes an ugly brown green here. I am experimenting with the bigger variety but i do not think they will be an acceptable Bonsai. The fresh green in spring makes it worth having a go . are Wellingtonia and californian redwood one and the same

[MattA]

For Gingko's I would go a dark chocolate unglazed pot . My last one was in a pot that colour & it just set the tree off so well no matter what time of year, in leaf, out of leaf & during the spectacular autumn show.

Other than deciduous trees and Cryptomeria, what other tree's change colour during winter (or other seasons)?

I will add Agapetes to the list, given enough sun the leaves turn a brilliant scarlet red during winter, then revert to there normal deep green for the rest of the year. A stunning species to work with as bonsai and really should be used more.

Matt

[Mojo Moyogi]

Hi everyone,
Tamarack, is Larix laricina, the American Larch. I think Tamarisk or Tamarix is a flowering shrub, and is not a conifer. As for other Larches there is Larix siribica - Siberian Larch and Larix x eurolepsis - Dunkeld Larch, a hybrid of Japanese and European Larch.

There is also Pseudolarix amabilis - Golden Larch. They have been used for bonsai too.

800px-Golden_Larch_Bonsai_Forest.JPG

Bodhi, re Cryptomeria, there is C.japonica 'Elegans' growing on the boundary of my place, bright green in spring, deeper blue-green in summer, apricot to rusty yellow in late autumn and if it gets cold enough it gets a grey-mauve colour with rusty highlights. It is a tall flame shaped tree that has smaller foliage than the species that is quite sparse if left to grow naturally, but it becomes denser when tip pruned, it should have bonsai potential, with those colour variations it would make a nice accent plant as well. I think I need to grow some from cuttings, they should be very easy to root. There is a fact sheet here on this useful site: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/index.shtml

Cheers,
Mojo

[bodhidharma]

G'day Mojo, thanks for the info. "Elagans" must be the cultivar i have here. I am trying to establish them on my property as we speak. I have some in pots which i am working on. Now i hear they self sow quite prolifically and i am hoping that is the case as i may have future stock if they prove worthwhile as a potted tree. I have a friend who knows where there is a forest of them (i know, the secret forest) so they can survive in our conditions. Apparently there are forests of them in Japan and are referred to as ,..Temple cedar? I will confirm that when i visit this year

[Joel]

Ginkgo are not a conifer.

Glyptostrobus pensilis
Metasequoia glyptostroboides
Taxodium ascendens
Taxodium distichum
Pseudolarix amabilis
Larix decidua
Larix sibirica
Larix gmelinii
Larix kaempferi
Larix principis-rupprechtii
Larix himalaica
Larix griffithii
Larix kongboensis
Larix potaninii
Larix mastersiana
Larix lyallii
Larix occidentalis
Larix laricina

Cunninghamia also colours up, and may be bare if grown in areas that are too cold. Not a true deciduous tree.

Joel

[Matthew]

thought id add a bit of the NE vic in. things are starting to turn now and with frost and minus temps expected wed-friday i think things will change quick

bonsai colour 9may2010.JPG

large maple.JPG

liquid amber.JPG

maples.JPG

large liquid amber 9may2010.JPG

[Jamie]

beautiful noah, it looks like you have yourself a little paradise there! and some nice trees on your bench that you havent showed us yet either!

[bodhidharma]

beautiful noah, it looks like you have yourself a little paradise there! and some nice trees on your bench that you havent showed us yet either!

Yes, my sentiments exactly. Nice benches too, somebody who takes pride in their hobby/lifestyle.

[Fred]

Hi Bodhi

How tall and what is the trunk diameter at the base of your Swampy? How old?

Fred

[Rockybonsai]

All the colour has already gone from my swampy but its growing nicely and looks really healthy so now i just have to decide what to do with the bugger

Nick