Callitris (Cypress Pine)

[Grant Bowie]

Anyone out there growing Callitris?

I am growing, from seed, a white cypress and a green cypress.

The seed was collected on a trip from between Hay and Wagga Wagga NSW.

[FlyBri]

Gday Grant!

I believe our friends Pup and PeterH are acquainted with Callitris species, and I've got a single spindly specimen (C. glauca, I think) that's just sitting there waiting for me to make an active decision for its future. I purchased it about a year ago as a 600mm tall, finger thick sapling in a 6" pot (how's that for mixing my measures? ). At the time, I identified a half decent root spread, and removed the bottom 2/3 of the roots/soil, combed out the remaining roots and stuck it in a 150mm orchid pan with very well-drained soil. I pruned off the leader at about 450mm and wired the trunk and lower branches (once the wood reaches about 8mm diameter, it appears to be very difficut to bend without snapping).

It struggled over Summer (likely due to my so-called care regime) but has since regained it's blue-green hue and is growing well (I guess ). Perhaps now would be a good time get into the soil and see why it sulked so over the hotter months.

I hope this is of some use.

Thanks.

Fly.

PS: I'll try to get a pic once the rain stops. Ahh - that felt good to say.

[Grant Bowie]

It's also lightly raining here in Canberra at the moment. I have just one C glauca that I have been growing on for a number of years and showed it last year at the APAB show in Canberra, but have since let the top go a bit to thicken it up. I snapped the top completely off about 3 years ago and I am having to regrow it.

I just love the blue color it has. I will post a photo from last years show when I get home.

I believe they are diificult to dig up in the wild. Any experience?

Grant

[PeterH]

Yes

[Grant Bowie]

Yes

Yes what? Hard to dig up and keep alive I presume.

Grant

[Asus101]

There was something on them that stated when it rained they produced fine roots close to the surface to collect as much water as possible, then killed them off in summer.
I cant remember the source of that info though.

[Grant Bowie]

There was something on them that stated when it rained they produced fine roots close to the surface to collect as much water as possible, then killed them off in summer.
I cant remember the source of that info though.

I heard that from a grower in Wagga a number of years ago as well. I wonder if you could dig them up a few weeks/months after rain?

[Asus101]

Thats what I have heard. Again, I remember someone here in SA collecting in winter, but I have heard of them collected after fire.

I cant remember my source, unless I'm confusing myself with something else...

[PeterH]

Grant,

Depending on the soil they are in and age of the tree. I have successfully dug up callitris from moist clay soil. I have dug up old callitris on fence lines ( sheep trimmed ) in paddocks without successes due to the soil falling away from the one root which was feeding a long way from the base.

I have been told something similar to Aus. Two root systems one tap root (main feeder) and fine surface roots (passing rain)

This one root is probably the cause of the -ve taper common in dug callitris. I am currently trying to Arial root one of mine. If successful I will be trying it on some larger ones at my father in-laws property.

Peter

[Grant Bowie]

Grant,

Depending on the soil they are in and age of the tree. I have successfully dug up callitris from moist clay soil. I have dug up old callitris on fence lines ( sheep trimmed ) in paddocks without successes due to the soil falling away from the one root which was feeding a long way from the base.

I have been told something similar to Aus. Two root systems one tap root (main feeder) and fine surface roots (passing rain)

This one root is probably the cause of the -ve taper common in dug callitris. I am currently trying to Arial root one of mine. If successful I will be trying it on some larger ones at my father in-laws property.

Peter

I would imagine an aerial layering of a Callitris might take years to root if at all. Keep us informed if you can.

Grant

[Pup]

Grant the one I have is a nursery specimen. I traded it with John Oldland a few years back.
I am still learning what I have found is they like water.
Also wiring is a problem on old wood better to use the turn buckle or guy line method.
The reason I say guy line protecting the wood IE clear plastic tubing. Then bend the branch to the position you want and tie it off.
Here is a pic see if you can see the fishing line holding the top forward.

P1020048.JPG

I believe this one is preissii.

[FlyBri]

I'll try to get a pic once the rain stops.

As promised...

Callitris_Glauca_Apr_09_01.jpg

Hmmm. Maybe give it a year or 20... And some more wire. And maybe a turnbuckle or 3.

Thanks.

Fly.

[Grant Bowie]

Callitris at APAB Show 2008.jpg

Here is my Callitris as at the Australian Plants As Bonsai show in 2008. It is in a pot by Roger Hnatiuk.

The stand is Jarrah and I made it myself.

Grant

[FlyBri]

Nice one Grant!

They obviously tolerate having their branches drawn to below horizontal. What about back-budding? The foliage on both yours and Pup's looks particularly dense in comparison to my scrawny specimen.

Thanks in advance!

Fly.

PS: Is that a fully-clothed flasher in the background?

[Grant Bowie]

Contrary to the belief by some people that they don't bud back; they will if the tree is nice and healthy, and on oldish wood.

They will bend quite well as long as you protect the bend with raffia, rubber or even grafting tape. Other wise its instant "Pup" tree time.

In nature they can have branches growing straight down, as in the photo posted by Peter.

Also I don't use Native Osmocote, just the usual and treat it like any other conifer.

Grant