Native repotting time

[Gerard]

I have been waiting for a break from the extreme heat as some of my natives were desperate for a re-pot, 28 native trees potted today some bonsai some nursery stock

003.jpg

008.jpg

007.jpg

banksia, melaleuca, callistemon, leucapogon, eucalypt, ficus, syzygium, kunzea and several unidentified

[kcpoole]

Yep time to get stuck into mine too. I have a euc and casuarina to dig from the garden too

[Boics]

Did a few myself today as well.
Sannantha, Ficus, leptospermum.
Perhaps a couple more tomorrow with a little luck!?

[bodhidharma]

I, as usual, am way behind and hope i can get to them in the next few weeks. All my time is taken up with keeping things alive in the weather.

[Rory]

Yeah, I repotted 20 Casuarina on the weekend. What an effort! I repotted a few back in early December without any problems too.

My best advice for anyone repotting on a hot day is, to make sure you do the repot quickly, don't let the roots go dry, as I repot with a big tub of water first anyway and use this to dip the root ball into. In total, I have the whole repot done within about 10 minutes. But if the roots are overgrown or pot bound, it is going to be a lot longer than that. I have never lost a native after a repot even in hot weather. Actually, that is not true, I once lost an acacia, but that was due to removing too much root. All other acacia have been fine.

[rookie93]

Looking good

Do you know which Leucopogon species you are growing? I cannot find much if any useful info on their care, not even from my teacher

[Gerard]

Looking good

Do you know which Leucopogon species you are growing? I cannot find much if any useful info on their care, not even from my teacher

Not 100% sure but I believe it is leucopogon parviflora, I cannot help with care advice as mine are only starters.
Here are some better pics of the two banksia integrifolia which were potted

002.jpg

003.jpg

[Ryceman3]

Beautiful banksias, I really like the second one, very nice.
I have just found myself fall into a native frenzy, just bought a dozen trees as tube stock (long term projects clearly) which I've potted up and are hoping for some rapid growth. These include 6 Leucopogon Parviflorus (Coast Beard Heath) because I saw them in their natural coastal habitat recently and saw massive potential as bonsai. Would love to see a close up of your Leucopogon to compare if you don't mind, I got the 6 because I have no idea how to look after them so thought I could experiment a bit with insurance I had more if things didn't go so well, all I know is they are a bit slow growing... not that much really so if you have anything to add to that I'd appreciate it!
Good luck with your native stock, I am quickly becoming a convert when it comes to using them as bonsai - there are some seriously good ones out there.

[Gerard]

Beautiful banksias, I really like the second one, very nice.
I have just found myself fall into a native frenzy, just bought a dozen trees as tube stock (long term projects clearly) which I've potted up and are hoping for some rapid growth. These include 6 Leucopogon Parviflorus (Coast Beard Heath) because I saw them in their natural coastal habitat recently and saw massive potential as bonsai. Would love to see a close up of your Leucopogon to compare if you don't mind, I got the 6 because I have no idea how to look after them so thought I could experiment a bit with insurance I had more if things didn't go so well, all I know is they are a bit slow growing... not that much really so if you have anything to add to that I'd appreciate it!
Good luck with your native stock, I am quickly becoming a convert when it comes to using them as bonsai - there are some seriously good ones out there.

I think the first banksia will be the better one once I manage to build some branches. I don't know much about the care of leucopogon as this is my first and only a starter but I love the bark on mature specimens

005.jpg

[Ryceman3]

Always hard to tell from a photo but I like the scale between the trunk and leaf size in the second banksia - great proportions, the first tree does have an amazing trunk line though, I can see a great future for it too.
I'm gonna say your tree in the photo is a Leucopogon Parviflorus, slightly bigger than my ones (tube stock less than a week ago) and you are 100% accurate, how good is the bark on the older ones!? ... Just stunning and I look forward to hopefully watching them grow, thanks for the pic - much appreciated. I'm off to visit a nursery tomorrow which I know sells this species and I hope to get some inside info on caring for them and with any luck helping them thrive! Happy to share any bits of gold I may get if you are interested!

[Boics]

Hi guys.
I too prefer banksia#2
Very natural looking tree!

Re the coastal beard heath.
Alongside leptospermum levigatum this is another of my favourite natives.

Please share any findings in another thread and I'll setupawiki Page. Also search ausbonsai for kangaroo Island. I took some photos of some lovely natural specimens.

Cheers!

[Ryceman3]

Funny you should mention Leptospermum Laevigatum, this was also in my purchases when I got the Coast Beard Heath, picked up 3 because I agree it's a good un! I checked out your Kanga Island thread and loved it, reminded me of the trees I saw while on hols late last year that inspired all these recent purchases... Check out the link below :

viewtopic.php?f=134&t=19159#p194287

Long live the Aussie native - if I get some info re : Leucopogon Parviflorus (or whatever else!) will post a thread with care advice.

Cheers!

[rookie93]

Looking good

Do you know which Leucopogon species you are growing? I cannot find much if any useful info on their care, not even from my teacher

Not 100% sure but I believe it is leucopogon parviflora, I cannot help with care advice as mine are only starters.

Thanks

[MelaQuin]

Consider reducing the height of both trees. They are too tall for the width of the trunk and lowering the apex will make the trees more dramatic and older looking. Your favourite tree.... leave 3 branches on the right and cut. And the one you like the least... put your finger over the top of it leaving the bottom 2 branches and the top right branch as the apex and think two years ahead and this will be very nice as well. This will also improve the taper and remove that chunky between the second right and the second left. With the new apex wired to the left your tree will be back in balance and in good proportion. Don't let the trees dictate their height... that's your prerogative as the artist. Both plants are excellent material and with good guidance you will have two very lovely native bonsai.

[treeman]

Getting bad when we need a chair Gerard.