Melaleuca Armillaris (?) Progression

[Craig]

wasn't happy about the huge pot so i put it in a smaller one...

[GavinG]

I've been chasing through the Melaleuca posts for Roger's project - what's the latest on this one, Mr FlyBri Sir? Please don't leave us dangling.

Gavin

[FlyBri]

I've been chasing through the Melaleuca posts for Roger's project - what's the latest on this one, Mr FlyBri Sir? Please don't leave us dangling.

Gday Gavin!

Sorry about the lack of updates regarding this tree - life gets in the way sometimes.

I'm taking this tree to see Mr Peter Adams at the Imagination Tree nursery in Mt Evelyn this coming Saturday. I'll do my best to get a 'before' photo prior to the workshop, but working long hours in the middle of Winter means that most of my time at home is during darkness.

Look for updates after Mr Adams' workshop!

Thanks.

Fly.

[FlyBri]

I'm taking this tree to see Mr Peter Adams at the Imagination Tree nursery in Mt Evelyn this coming Saturday. I'll do my best to get a 'before' photo prior to the workshop, but working long hours in the middle of Winter means that most of my time at home is during darkness.

Look for updates after Mr Adams' workshop!

Gday Team AusBonsai!

As it turned out, I didn't get photos of the Mel before attending Peter Adams' workshop. Let it suffice to say that the tree had become shaggy with long, upright growth (there are a few pics here on the Imagination Tree FB Page).

Mr Adams and I discussed the options of removing either the right or left portion of the tree (much as I had floated the idea back in April 2009), and he made sketches of a couple of possible futures. Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner, and my camera's batteries are dead flat, so I'll have to upload those pics later...

Anyway, sensing my reluctance to commit to chopping either major branch, Mr Adams grabbed the side of the pot and tilted it by about 30°-45°, and suggested that this option didn't require any cutting whatsoever. He also mentioned that a shallow crescent pot might aid in the reconciliation of the potting angle. At the time, I was instantly taken by this idea, but now I'm not certain... Have a look and see what you think:

Mel_Armillaris_0811_01.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0811_02.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0811_03.jpg

More to come...

Thanks!

Fly.

[Hornet]

I'd say my fave would be the 2nd option. Cant wait to see what you decide.

John

[Craig]

Anyway, sensing my reluctance to commit to chopping either major branch, Mr Adams grabbed the side of the pot and tilted it by about 30°-45°, and suggested that this option didn't require any cutting whatsoever.
Thanks!

Fly.

Fly, that's pretty close to what i suggested last year isn't it ? I'm glad to see Peter was thinking along the same lines

[FlyBri]

Fly, that's pretty close to what i suggested last year isn't it ? I'm glad to see Peter was thinking along the same lines

Gday Craig!

Right you are - your virt and Mr Adams' suggestion are very similar indeed! Perhaps you can accompany him on his next world tour. As I mentioned earlier, I am not entirely sold on this solution, and wish to pursue some other options before committing to such an angle change. Specifically, I am concerned about the long portion of the trunk which would be left almost dead vertical. If I could get some more movement into that part of the trunk, I might give myself more choices...

Anyway, as promised, here are Mr Adams' sketches of the tree with each major branch removed:

Mel_Armillaris_Adams_01.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_Adams_02.jpg

Enjoy!

Fly.

[Vice]

Fly, the only issue I see with the tree is that it seems flat at the top, like it has no peak.
But then again, I'm no expert. Is just a novice opinion.

[FlyBri]

Fly, the only issue I see with the tree is that it seems flat at the top, like it has no peak.

Gday Vice (if that is your real name...)! Good to see you here!

Creating an apex for this tree will be a challenge - mostly because I haven't yet decided where an apex should be. I don't think that's going to change any time soon either.

If I could get some more movement into that part of the trunk, I might give myself more choices...

Well, I did...

Mel_Armillaris_0911_01.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0911_02.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0911_03.jpg

I don't know if I've made things better or worse, but I don't imagine that more movement is ever a bad thing with Bonsai. As usual, comments, criticism and/or abuse is welcome.

Now I'll give the tree a good soak in Seasol, and will look to repot in the next few weeks.

More to come...

Thanks, and Happy Fathers' Day!

Fly.

[Vice]

Gday Vice (if that is your real name...)!

If Vice were my real name I'd probably have been more popular in school.

How difficult was it to create the more dynamic movement in the trunk without it snapping? Also what was used to wrap the trunk? it looks like electrical tape

[Spoony]

Wow, I liked the look of the tree before, but putting more of a bend in the trunk gives it so much more character.
To me at least anyway, very nice tree Fly!

Cheers
Paul

[FlyBri]

How difficult was it to create the more dynamic movement in the trunk without it snapping? Also what was used to wrap the trunk? it looks like electrical tape

I'm certain that there was a degree of snapping - I heard the odd complaint from the trunk even hours after I first cranked it into (out of?) shape. I had drilled a couple of holes into the trunk - on the outside where I hoped to accentuate the bends - and wrapped the whole trunk in multiple layers of non-adhesive "warning tape". As it turns out, the fluoro green tape was exactly like grafting tape, only cheaper and wider. Over this I placed a layer of black electrical tape, just to add some support.

I would love to explain better, but it has been a long day...

Thanks!

Fly.

[Steven]

Such nice material to be working on Mr Fly!

I'm impressed with your bending skills but not sure if I would have done it. Mr Adams sketch appeals to me and if it were mine I would be working towards that. I do however understand your reservations in cutting off the branch.

Have you had a chance to evaluate it since the bending and your last post?

Regards,
Steven

[bodhidharma]

G'day Mr Fly, you have created a little bit of a talking point with this one so that makes it worthwhile. I dont know if i like or dislike the change and the more i look the more i dont know. Its the bends that capture me and then the indecision follows. Maybe a little of the top of the right hand apex might bring it into perspective.

[FlyBri]

Have you had a chance to evaluate it since the bending and your last post?

I dont know if i like or dislike the change and the more i look the more i dont know. Its the bends that capture me and then the indecision follows.

Gday fellas!

I was having a look at this one in my shed last night, and got it all strapped up for another round of ferocious bending, but now I'm not so sure...

Once again, I am leaning towards losing the first major branch, and pulling the remaining "apex" down. This would allow me to make the trunk exit the soil at a less acute angle. I guess if I want to layer that branch off, I should make a decision soon...

Mel_Armillaris_0112_01.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0112_02.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0112_03.jpg

Mel_Armillaris_0112_04.jpg

Thoughts, comments, criticism and/or abuse are always welcome!

Thanks.

Fly.