Here is my first entry into this competition (after withdrawing the previously entered Kunzea group). These River Red Gums were purchased in a group of 32 native seedlings for $50 - @$1.56 seedling pot. But there were actually more seedlings when separated so this group ended up comprising 9 seedlings at $0.87c each. The pot was second-hand - I already had it but I reckon I got it for $20 or $30 bucks. Can't remember.
The process thus far:-
- wire some curves into each seedling;
- reduce root mass by about 60%;
- spread roots;
- position into a training container and
- hope they survive.
The young trees have survived since I conducted this re-potting on December 10th 2018 - 3 or so weeks ago. indeed, they are thriving! Hence, this entry.
In my rather strange mind - when I wired the two taller trees and in the context of other smaller seedlings, I thought of parents. Perhaps because I am a parent! I positioned the two 'parents' to be upstream, keeping a watchful eye over the children who played downstream and a rogue kid out the back.
Nothing more to this story other than it is my way of anchoring my vision for this group of gums as they age.
Here are some photo's:
The initial set of seedlings. An example of roots - I had removed plenty here and then decided to remove more and the tap root (or thick root) too. It was also interesting to note that the wiring was strange too, I swear I heard them crack when I bent them - or perhaps it was young bark breaking - regardless, I could not see any breaks and the trees have responded well. Here's the setting at time of re-potting. Here's a couple of shots from yesterday. Note the vibrant new growth sprouting everywhere. So - that's the start. I see challenges everywhere. I have never tried to bonsai a Eucalyptus. Two questions that come to mind include:
How to keep leaf size down - these leaves are large !I read somewhere with rigorous and regular removal of large leaves.
How to manage vigorous growth; thicken up the trucks trees but also work on branch structure. I an think I will break the tops off at different times. I heard somewhere that native respond better to hand-breaking rather than cutting. Who knows but I'll give it a crack.
Anyway ... Thanks again for the competition.
Entry (1) of mine is in and I hope it survives until the end of the competition!
Yesterday was perhaps 19 degrees and light showers and I noticed the drooping when I went out to water this morning. They sit in a position that gets sun - a northern-west position with the Paperbarks and Moonah's. Hmmm... what about I don't disturb roots but basically slip-pot (is that what it is called?) into a wooden grow box. I wonder whether that would help. My sense is they are drinking heaps and heaps ... and the water run-off suggests dense roots. Thanks again for your advice.
the roots will not have overgrown the container yet. 
