AusBonsai

Hi all.
On Thursday night I went and picked up this bottlebrush from bunnings as I would love to have a go at turning a native into a bonsai. I cut back some of the roots as it was in a rather large pot. It's having a weep for the few days since then but seems to be doing ok. I give it very very diluted seasol every 2nd day.
If anyone can tell me more information on how to care for them I would love it.
I do have an air layer going on a older tree at the same time to give me some experience.

Thanks
Elljuu


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Petty much like any other Plant, I let them extend to about 3-4 sets of leaves then cut back to 1-2 as appropriate to develop taper and ramification.
They take wire well and set quickly, but watch it cutting in.

Root rune and then keep well watered until a few weeks and show good growth.

Ken

Ok thanks Ken.

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I find they respond best when root pruned when they are growing so now is a good time. I know Pup has good response to root pruning at any time of the year but I guess it is colder here and they don't like growing new roots when it is cold.
All that Ken has said: allow to grow then cut back to keep tidy. They do develop quite quickly if you feed and keep the water up to them.
Feed with any fertiliser. Callistemon are not sensitive to anything so can use normal fert.
In addition most Callistemon species love to produce buds on old wood so if you want one to thicken just allow it to grow freely for a year or 2 then cut back hard. New shoots should appear all over the stump, even if it is quite old.
Callistemon transplant quite easily so if you find a good one in a garden just lop the top off and dig it up. No real need to keep lots of roots.

Callistemon flower on last year's growth so if you want a bonsai to flower you need to prune hard in spring then allow the shoots to grow without pruning until the following spring when flowers should appear

shibui wrote:I find they respond best when root pruned when they are growing so now is a good time. I know Pup has good response to root pruning at any time of the year but I guess it is colder here and they don't like growing new roots when it is cold.
All that Ken has said: allow to grow then cut back to keep tidy. They do develop quite quickly if you feed and keep the water up to them.
Feed with any fertiliser. Callistemon are not sensitive to anything so can use normal fert.
In addition most Callistemon species love to produce buds on old wood so if you want one to thicken just allow it to grow freely for a year or 2 then cut back hard. New shoots should appear all over the stump, even if it is quite old.
Callistemon transplant quite easily so if you find a good one in a garden just lop the top off and dig it up. No real need to keep lots of roots.

Callistemon flower on last year's growth so if you want a bonsai to flower you need to prune hard in spring then allow the shoots to grow without pruning until the following spring when flowers should appear

Thanks shibui
Very informative. I have lots to learn about this

Thanks
Elljuu

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