AusBonsai

Greetings from Hawaii. My first post here. I previously posted this tree on another forum, but it didn't seem to generate much interest, so I thought I would try my luck here.

This is the first tree I ever dug. When I first saw it, I thought it had a lot character so I rolled the dice and extracted it without knowing for certain what it was. I now feel reasonably confident it is E. Robustus, though I am not 100% sure.

Unfortunately, I don't know of anyone here who uses Eucalyptus for bonsai, so I am looking for any basic care and maintenance advice anyone would care to offer. If anyone would care to suggest future styling advice, that would also be much appreciated.

The tree was actually quite easy to dig. I kept the rootball largely intact, and planted it in loose cinders and turface, assuming that a permeable soil mix would prevent root rot. Then I identified the species, discovering that the common name for Robustus just happens to be Swamp Mahogany. So now I'm watering twice a day. I harvested last Friday, and am currently keeping the tree in shade. I plan to start moving the tree into sunlight in stages, beginning in a few days.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can give,
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hi mate, i can't give you a positive i.d. but it does look like a eucalyptus, pup is the man you want to speak to, if you send him a pm i'm sure he will be able to help you

Hi Ted,

I'm not sure that is a Eucalyptus. To me it looks like a species of Lophostemon. Possible L. lactifluus.

JayC

JayC wrote:Hi Ted,

I'm not sure that is a Eucalyptus. To me it looks like a species of Lophostemon. Possible L. lactifluus.

JayC

Some of the chacteristics match--leathery bark, reddish wood etc... But I guess I am basing my speculation primarily on the leaves. Compare my photo with these Robustus leaves (from "Plants of Hawaii")

G,day Ted and welcome to this forum. I have seen some of your posts on Bonsai talk and I think IBC before they went down.

The culture of Gums from wet areas is much the same as Casuarinas. Well that is what I have found, but there are far to many Eucalyptus to be sure that it is going to work. I am not much good when it comes to Eucalyptus as I only have two, our Moderator would be a better man Mr Fly.
Also Peter Hanrahan. I hope I have spelt his name right. Both have experience with gums as does Steven the boss.

With gums I have found that by cutting the large leaves much as you do with other large leaved plants they do reduce.
Like the Liquidambar cut the large leaves leave the small ones and they reduce the next crop.

If this tree was mine I would stand it up more as this is there natural habit with a loose canopy. If you look at Peter's Avatar which is a gum as is the group in the header.
I hope this has been of some help, cheers Pup

Nice tree Ted whatever it is
i am not a species expert, but the leave do look Eucalyptussy to me.
Any aroma when you cut or crush the leaves?

Ken

Love the trunk on it, it has real character.

Not sure if this will be of any help, but...
I have a Eucalyptus robusta (swamp mahogany) in a pot (not a bonsai), It's about 1 1/2 years old. The new leaves always have a maroon midrib and margin and the leaf blade is green/maroon before turning deep glossy green as shown in your pics. Maybe this is just because my tree is immature though? The leaves have a strong eucalyptus smell also (a dead give away ). If it is a E. robusta you have, be sure to give it plenty of water. I got so sick of watering mine that if it is a sunny day over 25 I'll sit it in a water tray - and it loves it!