AusBonsai

Looking for advice and ideas on the future of this Lilly Pilly.
Collected last spring, it was about 400mm tall until last week.
thanks

well anyway....
here is the direction i have taken it . . .
(its been growing on, wired like this all grow season.) any thoughts n ideas??

cheers
NS

Gday NS!

Certainly looks like it enjoys your climate!

This tree could be a candidate for an informal broom-style tree if you can address the lack of radial roots at the back. While on the subject of roots: your nebari has a great spread generally, but it is a little coarse and open at the moment. As a firm believer that it is never to early to start working towards good root-flare, I reckon you could afford to pot it deeper again, try something like this, or fill the hollows beneath the main roots with chopped sphagnum. (I wonder if the latter suggestion would help you to create buttress roots...)

Thanks, and good luck!

FlyBri.

I like the idea of the exposed roots but you will have to decide what you are going to do with the top growth very soon because there are too many - and that will lead to taper problems later on.

Even if you go for a umbrella/broom you only need three to five main branches.

Lennard

Looks like there are many directions you could take with that one. I have one of these varieties myself and it has proven to be a vigorous grower. i like the roots and would do a lot to preserve and develop them further. When I have exposed the roots on some of my other Syzigium, they have dried up and turned black so I keep them covered until they are well developed enough to take exposure but my climate is a little different to yours. Have fun with it

Thanks for the comments
A few months ago when i wired it i picked 5 main branches, it is hard to see them in the pics above....
I just refined the excess branches, here it is now. (yes its very thirsty!, much water after these shots )
NS

FlyBri wrote:Gday NS!

Certainly looks like it enjoys your climate!

This tree could be a candidate for an informal broom-style tree if you can address the lack of radial roots at the back. While on the subject of roots: your nebari has a great spread generally, but it is a little coarse and open at the moment. As a firm believer that it is never to early to start working towards good root-flare, I reckon you could afford to pot it deeper again, try something like this, or fill the hollows beneath the main roots with chopped sphagnum. (I wonder if the latter suggestion would help you to create buttress roots...)

Thanks, and good luck!

FlyBri.

Hey FlyBri, Firstly, Thanks for your thoughts, ideas and knowledge! . . .

Indeed informal broom-style is its headed direction. As for the roots, i am interested to see what is going on under the soil... when i repot it later this year i think i will be removing all the hard leggy leftovers (underneath), trying to create a flat bottom with a nice radial spread... (all depends on whats going on under the soil).. Now you have mentioned it, i agree it could be potted a little deeper again.. also Shagnum in the gaps..
...Hey wow wouldn't it be cool if those roots became of buttress style!!!! can only hope!!! thanks for your thoughts mate!
NS