Wollemi as bonsai?

[buddaboy]

Hi, has anybody had much to do with Wollemi Pines? EG do they come back from hard pruning, how touchy are the roots to trimming etc. My local Nursery has a beutiful one I think I could bonsai down, but for the price I am worried about survivability .

Thanks,
Buddaboy

[MelaQuin]

They have large compound leaves that would mean you would need to consider a very large bonsai. I understand they have an irritating habit of suddenly dropping a branch - which doesn't do a great deal for styling - even worse if you are in the bush under the branch when it falls. With the wealth of trees we have to work with, both conventional and unconventional, I think you could choose more favourable species.

[buddaboy]

Thanks for that Mel, the one in my local is about 7 foot tall, so no problems making a large bonsai. More interesting is that they drop branches? This is why I asked the question.

Thanks again,
BB

[Webos]

How much does a Wollemi that large go for at the nurseries?

[NathanM]

I'm going to do a couple one day. But the local nurseries haven't had any stock for a while. I know they might be tricky and a bit difficult, but I think they are awesome trees.

[Glenda]

How much does a Wollemi that large go for at the nurseries?

Our local nursery has one that size and they want $200 for it. Not sure if that is the going price or if they are dreaming. They don't do all that well in our hot climate, so they can keep it.

[anttal63]

Unfortunately something that height doesnt mean it has girth. they are riduculously priced for what you get. Still new on the market so understandable. I'm not convinced they're a winner for bonsai.

[buddaboy]

I think the trunk is about 3.5 inches across, I would of course reduce the height somewhat. Glenda, From memory 200-250 is the going rate and the nursery had 5 of them so someones paying it. For mysely I have some issues with spending that sort of money on something I will probably kill.


BB

[Jamie]

BB personally i wouldnt bother, i have seen a couple of so called wollemi pine bonsai and i dont think i could call it bonsai (this might get contraversial) i think that the way they are it is just not worth it, a species that was thought to be extinct for how long then found growing in a canyon for years unfound until what 10 year ago now? hmmmm, dropping branches, compound leaves, possibly not tolerant to your local temp? they might be doing alright in the nursery, they could also be keeping them watered four times a day do they have them in some sort of shade? they are native to a more southern climate arent they?
it makes you wonder why they werent found until not long ago again in a deep canyon it would of had a very intricate micro clime, i am actually amazed they have been able to get them to propagate to a point where they sell them in nurseries now, i have seen a few in the local nurseries quite small asking a fortune because they were so rare at a certain time in life (thought to be extinct at one stage).
with that sort of money if it was me i would be spending it on some quality stock that i know will survive in my climate JMO


jamie

[Leigh Taafe]

I have made a couple as bonsai, and while they looked ok for a fairly immature bonsai, I still dont rate the material as "good quality" for bonsai. Grant Bowie has been doing some experimental pruning on a few to see how they respond, he might be able to give you a better insight, as my work was all styling of raw material into an "acceptable" bonsai for customers who felt they "needed" a wollemi bonsai !!!

[astroboy76]

wollemi pines are currently for sale at bunnings in alxeandria, nsw and bankstown nsw. they are about $100 and maybe 2 feet tall

[Jamie]

wollemi pines are currently for sale at bunnings in alxeandria, nsw and bankstown nsw. they are about $100 and maybe 2 feet tall

that is just rediculous, what sort of diamter does the trunk have?

jamie

[Joel]

Dont buy wollemi pines now.

The producer of them has propagated too many of them, and their sales have fallen drastically. There are certain places that are giving them away for nothing, whilst most are still charging lots to try and get their money back. Wait a while and they will release or the unsold ones for much cheaper still. I cant remember which one it was, Mt Tomah or Mt Anan botanic gardens, but one of them were giving away 2 foot tall Wollemias for free to people who entered the gardens. This was mid way through last year. It really is worth waiting, trust me.

Joel

[Grant Bowie]

I have made a couple as bonsai, and while they looked ok for a fairly immature bonsai, I still dont rate the material as "good quality" for bonsai. Grant Bowie has been doing some experimental pruning on a few to see how they respond, he might be able to give you a better insight, as my work was all styling of raw material into an "acceptable" bonsai for customers who felt they "needed" a wollemi bonsai !!!

Have found they bud back when forced, leaves and length of branch reduce and so far no branch drop.

I used material in 10"(250mm) pots.

Root prunes OK.

Early days still.

Grant

[Jamie]

at the price they are asking joel, i completly agree, if anyone wants one then i wouldnt be paying for them but i do think they arent exactly worth it to try as bonsai.

JMO


jamie