Melaleuca Armillaris (?) Progression

[FlyBri]

Gday folks!

The family is hassling me to get outside, but I'll pop up some photos for your perusal. More info later...

Thanks.

Fly.

April 2009:

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_01.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_02.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_03.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_04.jpg

PS: With a couple years' more development, this one might be a good contender for 360*...

[FlyBri]

Gday again folks!

I was going to refer you to the early progression series of this tree at bonsaiTALK, but as they are still down, I'll have to start from scratch here.

Please find attached photos of the tree as it was when I purchased it from Sashi Eda Bonsai in Monbulk (August 2007). It cost me $190AUD, and over the years I reckon I've removed about $100 worth.

I've tried as best I could to match the views to the ones above...

Before (August 2007):

Mel_Amarillis_Aug_07_01.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Aug_07_02.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Aug_07_03.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Aug_07_04.jpg

I was really taken by the twists and turns in this trunk, as well as the deeply fissured bark and potential for ramification. The one thing that really threw me was the proliferation of thick branches which all grew from the same point on the upper trunk. Some of them were going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice... I don't think the photos are in any particular order, but with a mess of branches like that, who would know?

Melaleuca_Sept_07_5.jpg

Melaleuca_Sept_07_6.jpg

Melaleuca_Sept_07_7.jpg

Melaleuca_Sept_07_8.jpg

Stay tuned...

Thanks.

Fly.

[Pup]

G,day Fly I love the movement in this tree. It has a lot of potential. I am a bit confused though have you got the spelling right?.
Or is it Armillaris. If it is the latter.
It is a very hardy species. In fact it is a weed over here. There are some mauve and pink forms as well. One of the most common in cultivation. It is some time confused here with Preissii.
Which I have it shoots on old wood but as always I never go past the green growth.
I think this tree will be very nice in your care in maybe one or two decades Pup

[FlyBri]

G,day Fly I love the movement in this tree. It has a lot of potential. I am a bit confused though have you got the spelling right?.
Or is it Armillaris.

Gday Pup! As stated, it was the initial twists of the trunk that made me buy it, but what bothered me was the way in which the movement was brought to a dead halt at the mass of foliage. Some selective branch pruning (well, lots of branch pruning) and a bit of wiring have allowed me to extend and accentuate the movement. Now it is time to start making some more decisions for the tree's future.

And I do believe you're correct about the spelling: 'Melaleuca armillaris'. My spellchecker doesn't recognize either one... I'll make the appropriate edit ASAP.

Thanks.

Fly.

PS: I just noticed this bit:

I think this tree will be very nice in your care in maybe one or two decades Pup

One or two decades? By then I'll be almost as old as your good self! I'd better get a wriggle on!

[kcpoole]

Nice fly but the top looks like a birdsnest!

Good luck trying to sort that lot out

[FlyBri]

Nice fly but the top looks like a birdsnest!

Good luck trying to sort that lot out

Gday Ken!

I should clarify things a bit here: the first 4 pics of the thread are the tree as it is now. The pics in the next post are the 'before' pics from 2007. I reckon I can find some 'in-between' photos showing how I got it to where it is now.

Thanks mate!

Fly.

[Woz]

FlyBri,Thats a great lookin plant,i think it is a definate improvement of the birdnest and a great job thinning out the top, as you said it really emphasizes the flow of the lower trunk. Definatly a progression I will be waiting to see more of.
Something else I noticed are the awesome little plastic pots you have. Are the something you have knocked up or do you get them somewhere?

[FlyBri]

Gday Woz!

I'm glad you like the progress thus far. I'm in the process of wiring, so hopefully I can get the tree to continue to improve.

Something else I noticed are the awesome little plastic pots you have. Are the something you have knocked up or do you get them somewhere?

They are orchid pots that I buy every time there is an Orchid Show locally. The one that the Melaleuca is in is a 250mm x 120mm, and the one pictured below is the next smaller size (200mm x 100mm). As you can see, they are much better drained than standard nursery pots, and they are made of much thicker plastic. I love them.

Orchid_Pot.jpg

Thanks.

Flt.

[kcpoole]

I concur re the Orchid pots.
Ray Nesci stocks them in various sizes, and we all use them as training pots

nice and wide to give stability adnto allow the roots to spread

[FlyBri]

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_05.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_06.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_07.jpg

[Steven]

Looks like some heavy wiring coming up Mr Fly
Your new planting angle really accentuates the movement of the trunk. I love it and can't wait to see it once you refine the top!
Regards,
Steven

[FlyBri]

Looks like some heavy wiring coming up Mr Fly

That's right, Mr Oz!

As of now, I have my sisal and jute twine in place, and a generous strapping of Coban™ tape, and I'm planning on some serious turnbuckle action. But... I'm having a crisis of styling, and now I can't find a front... [EDIT] Now that I think of it, I'm having a crisis of styling, and now I can't find a back... [/EDIT]

Any suggestions anybody?

Fly.

[kcpoole]

I love the movent in the trunk on #2
But like the way the left branch comes off and slightly forward on #3

maybe 3 with the LH branch moved slightly backward ( rotate the tree to the left slightly)

[Pup]

Find the ugly one, then the front is opposite Pup

I have just had another look. Put it in a round pot

[FlyBri]

Gday Steven, Ken and Pup!

Thanks for the feedback - it it much appreciated.

I still haven't finished the wiring, but hope to tonight, and then the fun will begin...

I've been considering losing one or the other main branches in order to continue the movement of the trunk. Please find attached some quick & dirty sketches of how the tree might look with each branch removed.

(Please bear in mind that I'm not likely to make any decision regarding the future of either branch lightly. Just showing the role of (virtual) sketches in my Bonsai practice.)

Version 1:

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_01_V1.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_02_V1.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_03_V1.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_04_V1.jpg

Version 2:

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_01_V2.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_02_V2.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_03_V2.jpg

Mel_Amarillis_Apr_09_04_V2.jpg

Of the two options, I think it is obvious which is preferable. Still, we shall see what other choices are opened up by wiring.

Anyway, thoughts are welcomed.

Thanks.

Fly.

PS:

I have just had another look. Put it in a round pot

Mr Pup - I think you might need your eyes checked: the tree is in a round pot...