AusBonsai

If you think Australian Bonsai, what species always comes to mind? What species do you think is a key definition to Australian Bonsai?

I personally think it's the Ficus rubiginosa. When I started looking into bonsai it was everywhere, a highly recommended plant. I've also seen some AMAZING specimens; I would just about cut off my hand to have them. It's also a native.

What do you think?

(Sorry if this is in the wrong place)

It probably depends on what part of Australia you live in. For me its the bottlebrush as they grow just about everywhere in Australia and make fantastic bonsai. If you get the chance to go to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia you will have the pleasure of seeing some very impressive bottlebrush that should inspire everyone.

any of those in the above logo

Leptospermum and Banksia.

Grant

Watto wrote:It probably depends on what part of Australia you live in. For me its the bottlebrush as they grow just about everywhere in Australia and make fantastic bonsai. If you get the chance to go to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia you will have the pleasure of seeing some very impressive bottlebrush that should inspire everyone.

I'm definitely going there when I get a chance to. Do you have any favourite specimens?

tgward wrote:any of those in the above logo

Haven't been here long and forgive my ignorance. But what are they?

Eucalypts.

Eucalypts.

Eucalypts.

Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts.

Not because there are huge numbers of good Euc bonsai (yet), but because they are the defining genus in most landscapes. We just haven't caught up yet.

(Not that I'm obsessed or anything...)

Gavin

GavinG wrote:Eucalypts.

Eucalypts.

Eucalypts.

Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts. Eucalypts.

Not because there are huge numbers of good Euc bonsai (yet), but because they are the defining genus in most landscapes. We just haven't caught up yet.

(Not that I'm obsessed or anything...)

Gavin

Haha, I do love fully grown trees

Do you mind posting any pics of any that you have?

sheepdawg wrote:If you think Australian Bonsai, what species always comes to mind?

Gidday Sheepdawg,

My biggest exposure to Australian Bonsai is right here within AusBonsai and the species that is imprinted into me the most is the Juniper and the JBP.

I just checked the stats via the Index Board which confirms Pines and Junipers as the AusBonsai most popular.

Kevin

Kevin wrote:

sheepdawg wrote:If you think Australian Bonsai, what species always comes to mind?

Gidday Sheepdawg,

My biggest exposure to Australian Bonsai is right here within AusBonsai and the species that is imprinted into me the most is the Juniper and the JBP.

I just checked the stats via the Index Board which confirms Pines and Junipers as the AusBonsai most popular.

Kevin

Hey Kevin!

I would argue that's mainly because pines and junipers are popular worldwide, but aren't essentially representative of "Australian Bonsai", if you get my drift.

I suppose this argument could also be placed for my PJ fig stance, since figs are popular world-wide, but I think it differs from pines and junipers because it also has a unique style in Australia. The Australian styling differs from that seen in SE-Asia. And as far as I'm aware, the species isn't widely used elsewhere (not sure of the Southern Africa scene) because of its tropical requirements. So different styles haven't really evolved for ficus around the world.

I would have to say its a tie between Melaleucas/Callistemons and Eucalypts. They exemplify the Australian landscape so well. Their varying character ties with the varying landscape, from open bushland, to rainforest and even desert.

My personal rating would be:

1. Casuarina - Hardiest of them all and can be worked on anytime of year, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
2. Banksia - Gnarliest of them all, but best to research before doing work on them.
3. Eucalyptus - Most colourful of them all, but species selection is important for long term gains.
4. Melaleuca - (of the paperbarks) Most beautiful bark of them all, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
5. Leptospermum - Can have such tiny leaves, making them great stock to convey great age in small form. But make sure you don't work them at the wrong time of year or work them too hard.

I'm a bit of a fan of the plant I know as baeckea. (No idea of it's official name.)

I planted this in my garden around 30 years ago, and earlier this year put some air layers onto it. I'm hoping it'll work well.

It has very rough dark bark, tiny leaves, and tiny flowers in March.

Rory wrote:My personal rating would be:

1. Casuarina - Hardiest of them all and can be worked on anytime of year, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
2. Banksia - Gnarliest of them all, but best to research before doing work on them.
3. Eucalyptus - Most colourful of them all, but species selection is important for long term gains.
4. Melaleuca - (of the paperbarks) Most beautiful bark of them all, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
5. Leptospermum - Can have such tiny leaves, making them great stock to convey great age in small form. But make sure you don't work them at the wrong time of year or work them too hard.

What Casuarina species would you recommend for south east QLD?
I'm very keen to see what they can do.

Charliegreen wrote:

Rory wrote:My personal rating would be:

1. Casuarina - Hardiest of them all and can be worked on anytime of year, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
2. Banksia - Gnarliest of them all, but best to research before doing work on them.
3. Eucalyptus - Most colourful of them all, but species selection is important for long term gains.
4. Melaleuca - (of the paperbarks) Most beautiful bark of them all, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
5. Leptospermum - Can have such tiny leaves, making them great stock to convey great age in small form. But make sure you don't work them at the wrong time of year or work them too hard.

What Casuarina species would you recommend for south east QLD?
I'm very keen to see what they can do.

1. Casuarina glauca (fast becoming one of my favourite species and in my opinion is hardier than any casuarina I've tried. The bark takes many years to get the nice cracked age look. Grows well in inundated wet soils and well drained soils. It really is a natural survivor.) This is probably one of the best species for those starting out.

2. Casuarina cunninghamiana (hardy as well, but develops lovely bark as it ages)

3. Allocasuarina torulosa (probably lends itself best to bonsai, due to the natural tendency for growth to weep. The bark is deeply fissured from the start, and even noticeable on seedlings. But it is a pain in the bum to care for the trunk as it is very fragile, but looks spectacular as it ages.)

4. Allocasuarina littoralis (develops fissured bark, but nothing like torulosa. It is easier to handle as the bark isn't as delicate. The branches have a much stronger upwards growth than torulosa).

They all grow really well in full sun and if possible they love liquid fertilizer weekly. I try to fertilize weekly if I can remember.

They all grow naturally in SE QLD, just visit your local nursery. But sometimes nurseries are so backwards with too many exotics and it might be better to go to a council nursery for native stock, and it is usually cheaper too.

Rory wrote:

Charliegreen wrote:

Rory wrote:My personal rating would be:

1. Casuarina - Hardiest of them all and can be worked on anytime of year, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
2. Banksia - Gnarliest of them all, but best to research before doing work on them.
3. Eucalyptus - Most colourful of them all, but species selection is important for long term gains.
4. Melaleuca - (of the paperbarks) Most beautiful bark of them all, and you can find a species for all types of conditions.
5. Leptospermum - Can have such tiny leaves, making them great stock to convey great age in small form. But make sure you don't work them at the wrong time of year or work them too hard.

What Casuarina species would you recommend for south east QLD?
I'm very keen to see what they can do.

1. Casuarina glauca (fast becoming one of my favourite species and in my opinion is hardier than any casuarina I've tried. The bark takes many years to get the nice cracked age look. Grows well in inundated wet soils and well drained soils. It really is a natural survivor.) This is probably one of the best species for those starting out.

2. Casuarina cunninghamiana (hardy as well, but develops lovely bark as it ages)

3. Allocasuarina torulosa (probably lends itself best to bonsai, due to the natural tendency for growth to weep. The bark is deeply fissured from the start, and even noticeable on seedlings. But it is a pain in the bum to care for the trunk as it is very fragile, but looks spectacular as it ages.)

4. Allocasuarina littoralis (develops fissured bark, but nothing like torulosa. It is easier to handle as the bark isn't as delicate. The branches have a much stronger upwards growth than torulosa).

They all grow really well in full sun and if possible they love liquid fertilizer weekly. I try to fertilize weekly if I can remember.

They all grow naturally in SE QLD, just visit your local nursery. But sometimes nurseries are so backwards with too many exotics and it might be better to go to a council nursery for native stock, and it is usually cheaper too.

Thanks so much. I'm going to see my council nursery this week for sure

Do you know much about collecting these guys? Where do they grow? I've only ever seen them in coastal areas tbh