THE MEL PROJECT

[Raniformis]

You just inspired me to hack into mine; or put it on the bench and look at it for a couple of hours anyways.

Growing the things is easy peasy, chopping into branches you just finished growing is not so easy. Last time I got all inspired I ended up destroying the poor tree.

Nice, imma use these pics when I eventually style it.

[Ryceman3]

Starting to repot these trees now. I'm tossing up the idea of putting a few into bonsai pots, but this one I have decided to simply repot back into the same plastic pot. It could do with a bit more thickening I think, the base is starting to develop just needs a bit longer.
There's a few to go.

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[boom64]

Hi Ryce , the Mels are going fantastic, well done. Like you have been busy repotting to. First prize goes to the Stypheliodes man can they bulk up. The clump style looks very interesting. Cheers John.

[Ryceman3]

A couple more M. stypheliodes repots, this time transitioning them into bonsai pots. It was a decent cut back on all 3, but as a result of previous work I think there was plenty of feeder roots left despite removing maybe 70-75%. I was pretty focussed so forgot "before" shots of the roots and missed one "after" of the root pad too, but I think you get the idea. I left foliage alone for the most part, maybe reduced the tallest one about 10%, the other two just a small trim to tidy here and there. I'll let the roots recover before giving them a proper hair cut.
Always nice to see them get their first proper pot.

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[Ryceman3]

Repotted the semi cascade M. nesophila below about a month ago (March 17th). The root system was pretty sub-standard so I was a little worried about how it would recover but things appear to be fine. No real issues and signs of new growth so I am feeling OK about it now. It's not the most prodigious/robust melaleuca species I have found when it comes to bonsai, but still kicking along...

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[melbrackstone]

I don't recall seeing that container before, love how well it goes with the tree! I don't recall seeing an M. nesophila before either. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Ryceman3]

I don't recall seeing that container before, love how well it goes with the tree! I don't recall seeing an M. nesophila before either. Looking forward to seeing more.

Hi Mel,
There are glimpses of this one (with less wire) and another M nesophila in this thread, but this is the first image where (I hope) it looks a bit more like something other than a stick in a pot!
I think the pot helps, I also like the way it pairs with this tree. It was made by Tony Remington (UK) and I picked it up during my CoVid buying sessions with Elaine at Bonsai Island a couple of years ago. Nice to give it a tree and a spot on the bench.

[melbrackstone]

LOL, I just hit Elaine up yesterday for some pots.... parcel should arrive next week.

I really like that container, thanks for letting me know who made it. I've only seen one or two TR pots on bonsai island before, must keep a closer eye on it!

[Ryceman3]

Sarting to tidy up a few of these Mels as we head into spring, along with other natives. They essentially grew over the winter as is their way (albeit at a slower rate than in the warmer months)... I like to start the growing season neat and tidy if possible!

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[Ryceman3]

... and the other 3 shohin trees that got repotted in March.

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[terryb]

Looking really good R3

[Ryceman3]

Here's a few of the others after a clean up over the last week or two.
These are developing into bigger stuff than the last post, so have been growing out accordingly. Starting to take shape now. Some of the bending/angles in the branching is a bit much in a few of them but it softens out once the wire is removed from my experience, so I go a bit extreme and then let it sort itself out later.
Maybe some pots required for a few of these in the not too distant future??

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[Ryceman3]

M. rhaphiophylla repot today, moving this one into a bonsai pot.
Looks a bit like a triangle right now, but I'm happy enough with the primary structure so things will fill out and develop as I look to refine the secondary/tertiary branching from this point.
This one is only shohin sized (possibly a cm or two bigger) which I feel like isn't so common for this mel species?!?
Will be interesting to see if it stays like this or not.

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[Ryceman3]

Continuing with the native repots today, this is a Mel cuticularis that has made a few appearances on this thread graduating from plastic to ceramic.
Always a mildly stressful but definitely exciting process. I have good vibes about this one ...
I actually picked up this pot from wrcmad a few months back, it is a Janet Selby that feels like it belongs in a thread on this forum!
Happy to oblige...

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[Ryceman3]

Another quick one before lunch.
M. rhaphiophylla
I have a hard time spelling that still!

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