AusBonsai

Need some help with this one. Was given to me quite a few years before I started being interested in Bonsai and as a result was very neglected (as you can see by the wiring scars). It's only be getting some slight shaping and trimming, a re-poting in the last 2 years. I don't know what it is or where to start on this one.It doesn't seem to back bud at all and I'm scared to give it a good chop to reduce the height for that reason. When I trim it it only shoot once from close to the cut and never shoot multiple branches.

Cheers

Queensland bottle tree!

I think its more likely a kurrajong Brachychiton populensis. Mind my spelling

Cheers

Squizz

Spot on Squizzy. The Brachychiton Rupestris aka the Queensland Bottle Tree has leaves that are a lot thinner and darker green with 7 lobes.

no I think I am wrong it might be rupestris as I didnt realize they had variants of the leaf shape. I have two here that have deeply divided palmate leaves but it seems to also have the trifoliate leaves as well so 2 different forms and maybe more?

I have learnt something again today.

Thanks ausbonsai

Squizz

I think it's the Brachychiton Acerifolius - Illawarra flame tree. Definitely not the rupestris

I would disagree tony but its only an opinion.

I used to grow the acerifolius from seed when I was young and the leaves where much different in shape and size. There could be some discrepincies with the info I seen on the rupestris and the poulensis. I am not a botanist so I cannot be sure.

Squizz

OK lets wait for someone else to chime in

Bougy Fan wrote:I think it's the Brachychiton Acerifolius - Illawarra flame tree. Definitely not the rupestris

Definitely not a flame tree, I have a few of these that I've grown from seed. Will put up a snap shot of one I've tried to bonsai...

Thanks the feed back so far!

With the changes in leaf form that all Brachychiton exhibit dependant on age & growing factors it will not be possible to get a full ID until it flowers. It doesnt change how to take care of it and they are tough plants, almost unkillable. If it was mine I would chop it at the first low branch & let it grow out again, it gets rid of the wire scars & starts to introduce some taper & movement that most brachychiton as bonsai lack.

I'm assuming waiting for Spring before a chop is a good idea with these.

I would have to say it is Brachychiton populneus. This tree has a definate pattern of only 3 lobes on a leaf. A young Brachychiton Rupestris has 7 thin lobes on a leaf and as it gets older may have 5 - 7 lobes, on a leaf and be slightly thicker. Brachychiton acerifolia also has a 3 lobed leaf, however in younger trees leaf shape is more commonly an irregular shape.

chris

Duckbed wrote:I'm assuming waiting for Spring before a chop is a good idea with these.

Thats what I would do. They usually shoot back within a few weeks, having said that I have a rupestris that hasnt shot yet after 9mths, its very uch alive & putting roots down so I am being patient & will wait for it to pop.