Casuarina 2 progression

[lackhand]

Can we get an update on this one too? Very nice tree, I'd like to see how the summer is treating it. I'm itching to get my hands on a casuarina, but not sure the stock I can find here will be great to work with. What I've seen so far is 3 meters high with straight trunks. Will they respond well enough to trunk chopping that it's worth it, or should I hold off for better stock?

[fae]

can please have an update on this plant.

Also Steven I am interested in repotting my casuarina into diatomite and zeolite. Is it best to repot in the warmer months ?

Thanks

Fiona

[Steven]

Will they respond well enough to trunk chopping that it's worth it, or should I hold off for better stock?

G'day Karl,
They respond very well to trunk chopping and you will get the best results if the weather is warm and the tree is healthy and vigorous.

Is it best to repot in the warmer months ?

Hi Fiona,
Yes, I treat mine as a tropical and repot when the minimum daily temps are above 15˚c.

This one is looking a little rough at the moment. I'll clean it up and will post an update in the near future. Thanks for your interest.

Regards,
Steven

[NathanM]

Wow, I REALLY like this tree, Steven. Let me know if you ever wanna part with it

[Elmar]

This one is looking a little rough at the moment. I'll clean it up and will post an update in the near future. Thanks for your interest.

Regards,
Steven

sorry, but keen to see!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

[Steven]

G'day,

Pulled most of last years wire off this one yesterday and rewired some of the branches. Gave it a plucking all over and removed some upwards growing branches.
It's currently 320mm tall from the rim of the pot.

2014 March (a).JPG

Regards,
Steven

[Rory]

Beautiful photo.

Beautiful tree.

Looking very oriental Awesome! Being partial to a love of casuarina's makes me love this even more. Nice job steven. Looks even nicer when you compare it back with that first photo from the back right. Hard to see from the pic, but does it bulge slightly at the base or is it just the angle of the viewer?

... (edit)... ahhh, disregard the bulge comment , didn't read the post in full. Sorry.

[Ash]

HI Steven, It looks great. I would look carefully at the apex and choose one of the three branches and reduce the others - my reason being that they tend to get top heavy quickly and three come from a similar point. My 'vote' would be for retaining the right-hand branch and reducing the middle and left hand branches.
keep up the good work
Ash

[GavinG]

Very graceful indeed. The curves of the branches balance the curves of the trunk, and it all adds up. Very refined. It's good to see the full progression.

Gavin

[Steven]

Thanks for the feedback. Ash, good observation mate! I'm trying to grow my trees without having one single trunkline leading to the apex but the point you have raised will be an issue particularly with Casuarina. I tend to keep the top pruned pretty regularly and let the bottom branches extend a bit which helps balance the vigor. If it does thicken too much I can always cut it all off and grow a new apex in a year or 2 - One of the benefits of growing Casuarina

Regards,
Steven

[Brian Bishop]

002.jpg

G'Day Steven,
This is my 1st posting on this forum and have joined it to specifically learn more about growing our natives as bonsais.
I'm from Brisbane and have just purchased my first Casaurina at our recent Bimer annual show and am champing at the bit to do something with it.
I had lots of questions to ask re nutrition, pruning , and planting medium but most of these have been answered by my reading your post from start to this point so I will post a couple of pics to give you an idea of the tree.
I have 32 years experience with bonsai and have grown very many species ie ficus,junipers,elms(chinese),swampies,celtis, sygiums and the like and now at the ripe old age of 70 I am turning my attention to the growing of our wonderful natives as my next challenge.
All comments appreciated...Identification of variety would be of great help also.
Cheers.......Brian

[Rory]

002.jpg

G'Day Steven,
This is my 1st posting on this forum and have joined it to specifically learn more about growing our natives as bonsais.
I'm from Brisbane and have just purchased my first Casaurina at our recent Bimer annual show and am champing at the bit to do something with it.
I had lots of questions to ask re nutrition, pruning , and planting medium but most of these have been answered by my reading your post from start to this point so I will post a couple of pics to give you an idea of the tree.
I have 32 years experience with bonsai and have grown very many species ie ficus,junipers,elms(chinese),swampies,celtis, sygiums and the like and now at the ripe old age of 70 I am turning my attention to the growing of our wonderful natives as my next challenge.
All comments appreciated...Identification of variety would be of great help also.
Cheers.......Brian

Hi Brian,

Not quite sure if you wanted styling advice, as your post doesn't indicate this so I wont comment.
The stock you have posted there is Allocasuarina Torulosa.

[Brian Bishop]

Thanks Steven for the id of the tree. That is the same id given to me by another bonsai friend so I'm happy with your confirmation.
Re styling: Yes I would like to get some opinions on the styling of this particular tree as I have not had one before and know little of there growth habits.
Cheers........Brian

[kcpoole]

What a lovely base of the tree Brian and hope that after 35 years in this game you be well on the to making this a very nice tree.

The second trunk section is too long and / or too straight with regards to the bottom section so needs Chopping or wiring to give similar / Sympathetic movement to the lower section.
In brissy you could do this now and get setup for the tree to take off next summer.

Ken

[Brian Bishop]

Thanks Ken,
Much appreciated info.
Cheers........Brian