AusBonsai

Looking great Ant!!
Cassas sorta remind me of Chinese Elms in the way that you can beat them to bits and they still come back at ya ^_^

thanks elias and boomy. they are a very rewarding tree, no doubt about it.

Hey mate
how's the tree looking now, I would love to see how this great casurina has progressed form last April.

Hugh

Hey Hugh, thanks very much. The tree got worked with Robert Stevens back in November. there is a photo somewhere around. I am about to do a clean up and repot soon. Will update then.

Hi Ant,
I would never have done that to the roots of this species but now you have shown me whats possible I like them even more. I know what you mean by the bark but it does replace itself with time.You have the makings of a seriously beautiful bonsai there.
Regards from Craig

thank you so much for the compliments craig. Your self, quentin and Brian inspired me to do this specie. I have seen Brian treat them pretty rough so i knew they could take heaps.

Here's a quick pic of it today, before i do the work to it. this will be the new planting angle. That and some minor changes to branch placement was all that Robert reccomended. It was really nice to know i was that close.

Looks great can't wait to see after you do the work on it
by the way when do you think is a good time to collect these bugges, have a few I could get my hands on at home.
Lovely tree

Hugh

At this stage i have not collected any Hugh. With Aussie natives there is 2 things crucial to collection, i believe. 1st and up most; make sure you have active (fiberous) roots close to the trunk. If not, it could be a 2 year project. 1st year progresively trunk chop your tree. Then in the 2nd year after re shooting and growing, you need to spade around the tree approx 45-60cm out from the trunk in a full circle. Mulch up and over your spading, water well and feed up. Chances of collecting should improve 3 fold over the next 6 to 12 months. 2nd is to watch your weekly weather predictions and try and string a week when you have warm nights as well as days. Even when repotting natives, they go wobbly at the knees if a cold day / night kicks in. So my advice is Nov/ Dec and Feb/March. Jan possibly too hot. Too hot a day in ya first week is not advisable either. After care needs well drained soil, shade and watering a few times a day. The passing through of oxygen is more important than the water. Good luck.

Hi Antonio,
Do you plan a re-pot soon? Cannot wait to see the new angle
(See PM)
Regards Gerard

Beautiful Ant, just beautiful.

I see you still have a tendency to shock with your bare-rooting!

Excellent Ant, a very nice progression and lovely tree. To add to your response to Hughs question, if you prepare the tree properly as you said, there is no probs lifting the tree in very early spring. I have prepared an old one for two seasons, lifted it, then chain sawed the bottom flat. It powered into its new growth without missing a beat. I was amazed. I made mistakes in its design and this post has kicked my butt into paying it more attention.

Thanks so Two, Tee and bod!
Two, any day now as soon as i can find time.
Tee, Thats cause i am a shocker !!!
Bodhi, Yes Prep is what its all about. I have learnt lots about collecting this past 12 months, the hard way! Many natives will be more forgiving to lift earlier as long as the prep is done.

Nice one Ant, i've got lots of little fella's guess one day they might look something along your lines .Cheers

alpineart wrote:Nice one Ant, i've got lots of little fella's guess one day they might look something along your lines .Cheers

these are very fast growing alpine. i built this in 4.5 yrs from a 8 inch potted nursery stock. thanks mate