Woolly Bush As Bonsai Project - Adenanthos Sericeus
Posted: November 22nd, 2024, 1:42 pm
This is a project I've wanted to get going for a while now. I'm happy to say I've finally pulled my finger out and made a start.
Taking inspiration from R3's great projects, my goal for this thread is to document my experiences and techniques for growing Woolly Bush (Adenanthos Sericeus) as bonsai. I'm covering the whole process from growing material from cuttings right the way to refinement stage.
In my short time doing bonsai I've started many singular tree projects of different Australian species. Particularly southern Western Australian natives as that's where I'm located. I've chosen to spend more time and focus on the Woolly Bush for several reasons;
- The potential to work well in any style or size tree
- The ability to back-bud easily and reduce leaf size
- Responds well to pruning and wiring
- Unique conifer-like appearance in a broadleaf species
- My positive experience developing one for some years
To start;
- I've taken 28 cuttings from bushes growing in the ground in my yard.
- 3 airlayers have been started. One large, medium and small branch diameter to see what works.
- Started a small one from nursery tubestock.
- Recently aquired an older nursery stock
- Have one in refinement that already has it's own thread on this forum.
I look forward to upating as things progress. See below photos of the different Wooly Bush at different stages.
The cuttings.
Bushes the cuttings were taken from and airlayers started.
The airlayers.
Started from tube stock.
Aquired as old nursery material. Goal is the make a semi cascade.
My original Woolly Bush in refinement.
Taking inspiration from R3's great projects, my goal for this thread is to document my experiences and techniques for growing Woolly Bush (Adenanthos Sericeus) as bonsai. I'm covering the whole process from growing material from cuttings right the way to refinement stage.
In my short time doing bonsai I've started many singular tree projects of different Australian species. Particularly southern Western Australian natives as that's where I'm located. I've chosen to spend more time and focus on the Woolly Bush for several reasons;
- The potential to work well in any style or size tree
- The ability to back-bud easily and reduce leaf size
- Responds well to pruning and wiring
- Unique conifer-like appearance in a broadleaf species
- My positive experience developing one for some years
To start;
- I've taken 28 cuttings from bushes growing in the ground in my yard.
- 3 airlayers have been started. One large, medium and small branch diameter to see what works.
- Started a small one from nursery tubestock.
- Recently aquired an older nursery stock
- Have one in refinement that already has it's own thread on this forum.
I look forward to upating as things progress. See below photos of the different Wooly Bush at different stages.
The cuttings.
Bushes the cuttings were taken from and airlayers started.
The airlayers.
Started from tube stock.
Aquired as old nursery material. Goal is the make a semi cascade.
My original Woolly Bush in refinement.