A Sneak Preview For My AusBonsai Friends: River Red Gum

[gr8bookworm]

Fly,

For me it is great to see such a species as a bonsai and I hope to add a few natives to my small but growing collection of beginner trees. I would love to see the pics of the history of the tree if you have the time to post!

Thanks,

Mark

[Benji1980]

Thanks for the tips Fly, I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased some Euclaypt Seedlings, see post: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=7479

MattA, you better get cracking with your Red Gums now, then I can learn from you... HAHA!!


Ben

[FlyBri]

I would love to see the pics of the history of the tree if you have the time to post!

Gday Mark!

If you haven't already, take a look at this earlier post...

Thanks for the tips Fly, I bit the bullet yesterday and purchased some Euclaypt Seedlings, see post: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=7479

Goodonya Ben! I look forward to seeing what you create!

* * *

So, it's 2 months after the last repot, and for some reason the tree has thrown out minimal growth - probably less than 20 new leaves... I find this to be really odd, given its usual reaction to repotting, which is to be covered in new buds within a couple of weeks. I scratched around the surface of the soil a little, and came to the conclusion that my soil mix - while very well-drained - contains too many fines, and that there was little or no air-space in the mix.

I sifted up some of my mix (various bits of bluestone, quartz, attapulgite and potting mix, mostly salvaged from previous mixes) to remove any particles smaller than about 2mm and larger than about 8mm. I lifted the tree from its pot to find that the roots were indeed growing - albeit slowly for the time of year - and that the mix did not appear to be holding too much water. So I gently trimmed the roots and replaced the tree back into the new, even better-drained mix.

River_Red_0311_01.jpg

River_Red_0311_02.jpg

I hope that my work will show results soon, as I would like to show this tree to Peter Adams in August.

Updates to follow...

Thanks.

Fly.

[FlyBri]

I hope that my work will show results soon, as I would like to show this tree to Peter Adams in August.

I DID take this tree to see Mr Peter D Adams yesterday, and to my great embarrassment, its foliage was all limp and dry. Melbourne has had unseasonably warm weather this week - 3 windy days with temperatures above 22C - and my River Red has paid for my negligence.

Nevertheless, Peter seemed to like the tree. He found a new front, which in turn has dictated a slightly different apex (see drawing). He seemed to like the pot/tree combo, too.

I didn't get any photos, but there are a few here:

Peter Adams Workshop on Facebook

When I got home, I plopped the pot into a SeaSol solution and let it soak for an hour or so. The majority of the leaves are looking better already.

More to come...

Fly.

[FlyBri]

When I got home, I plopped the pot into a SeaSol solution and let it soak for an hour or so. The majority of the leaves are looking better already.

Perhaps that statement was just wishful thinking... I reckon all the leaves are goners. However, the trunk has plumped up again, indicating that the roots have taken up water. Never mind - this tree has survived massive drying events in the past, and should do so in the future.

I've snapped off some fairly ordinary pics of my lack of progress, as well as Mr Adams' vision for the tree's potential. Enjoy!

River_Red_0811_01.jpg

River_Red_0811_02.jpg

River_Red_0811_03.jpg

River_Red_0811_04.jpg

[Jamie]

gday Fly


I like the new front mate it makes it so much more dramatic! the front you had did show a good wiggle, but the movement found by mr Adams is great

look forward to seeing it in another year or two

[FlyBri]

the front you had did show a good wiggle, but the movement found by mr Adams is great

look forward to seeing it in another year or two

Gday Jamie!

Before I took the tree to Mr Adams, I suspected that a change of primary viewing angle was necessary, but the view I favoured was about 90° anti-clockwise from the one he found (if I get the chance, I'll post a pic later). The new angle does provide much more movement, but I believe that I will need to bring the first branch down to almost horizontal in order for the image to work.

Anyway, I have snapped off some more pics of my sorry little Euc:

River_Red_0811_05.jpg

River_Red_0811_06.jpg

River_Red_0811_07.jpg

River_Red_0811_08.jpg

The tree is already throwing buds all over, and within a couple of weeks it should be covered in new growth. Updates to follow...

Thanks!

Fly.

[chelsworthgale]

Fly,

if you are looking for some further inspirations I suggest taking a trip down Plenty Rd, starting at South Morang & up to Whittlesea... there are some fantastic River Red Gums that are hundreds of years old and the twisting & shaping of their trunks are like looking at amazing, over grown, bonsais!

Cheers.

[FlyBri]

if you are looking for some further inspirations I suggest taking a trip down Plenty Rd, starting at South Morang & up to Whittlesea... there are some fantastic River Red Gums that are hundreds of years old and the twisting & shaping of their trunks are like looking at amazing, over grown, bonsais!

Gday Chelsworthgale!

I've spent numerous hours in that part of the world - specifically Mill Park/South Morang - taking photos of the giant old Red Gums. Unfortunately, whenever I'm travelling further North (Doreen, Mernda, etc) I'm usually on my way to work, so there's no time to stop and smell the gumnuts. The remnant River Reds out that way are awesome, I agree.

Here are a few photos of some old River Reds off McDonalds Rd in Mill Park(?). It won't be long until they are all hemmed in by retail chains and brick veneer boxes...

Enjoy!

FlyBri.

[chelsworthgale]

Here are a few photos of some old River Reds off McDonalds Rd in Mill Park(?). It won't be long until they are all hemmed in by retail chains and brick veneer boxes...

Yeah those ones are near the bunnings on Plenty Rd. That one specifically is just behind what is now the Toyota car yard on that back street that actually runs from Plenty to McDonalds Rd's.

Luckily for us the City of Whittlesea recognises these trees and their value here.

Quiet a few were lost to the rail extension however that is a small price to pay to get some adequate public transport to not clog the area with car fumes and the noise of traffic (as you can appreciate in Hurstbridge!)

Cheers.

[FlyBri]

Luckily for us the City of Whittlesea recognises these trees and their value here.

Quiet a few were lost to the rail extension however that is a small price to pay to get some adequate public transport to not clog the area with car fumes and the noise of traffic (as you can appreciate in Hurstbridge!)

Good news about the tree protection policy, and the rail extension. I'd love an extension in Hursty, but I don't know where a rail line could go from here...

While flicking through some of my photos, I was struck by a sense of deja vu:

River_Red_0811_09.jpg

Spooky...

[Gerard]

Hi Fly,
This tree is definitely an inspiration, a little smaller than what I imagined but a very nice little tree. I am pleased to hear it is bouncing back to life.
I already have trouble watching the road but next time I drive down McDonalds road I will have to look out for the bigger one.

[Steven]

That's an uncanny resemblance Mr Fly and a brilliant inspiration for your creative juices.

Have the buds started bursting in all the right places yet?

Regards,
Steven

[Bretts]

Always great to see how this is going Fly Like I said in another thread I am much more impressed with this tree since I have seen the style of Gum that you seem to portray.

I mentioned that a while back when you first showed these trees near bunnings

[FlyBri]

I already have trouble watching the road but next time I drive down McDonalds road I will have to look out for the bigger one.

Gday Gerard!

Other notable River Reds can be found even closer to civilization: check out the one on the corner of Plenty Rd near Buzzings (it was very nearly killed by road works, but has found its feet) and the one that towers over Hungry Jack's. There are also quite a few big ones threatening to drop their branches on houses in the recent Mill Park developments.

Have the buds started bursting in all the right places yet?

Gday Mr Steven!

It looks like I'll lose the ends of quite a few branches, but I should have lots of back-buds to choose from. I might try to get a pic or two if the weather clears today.

Always great to see how this is going Fly Like I said in another thread I am much more impressed with this tree since I have seen the style of Gum that you seem to portray.

I mentioned that a while back when you first showed these trees near bunnings

Gday Brettles!

I recall you saying that my RR was making more sense, given the trees that I was looking at, but at the time I didn't really see the connection. It wasn't until I put the two pics next to each other that I could see what you meant. Well spotted!



Thanks folks!

Updates as they come to hand.

Fly.