AusBonsai

Callistemon sieberi, synonym C.paludosa is a plant that used to grow where I live.
I have had this one in a pot from a two in one, one was planted out in the garden and the other was this one.
It is a pretty tough customer, it takes the full sun and heat no trouble.
I would like to do something with it but is it too late into Summer?
My intention would be to cut it back to somewhere near the first shoot and let the first shoot become the new trunk.
Anyone with some decent Myrtaceae experience, please put in your

Hi Damien,

Pup made a post on pruning bottlebrushes a few weeks ago and now is the right time. He said to cut back hard and then tip prune any branches that get out of line as they flower on new growth. Sorry I couldn't find the post.

EdwardH wrote:Hi Damien,

Pup made a post on pruning bottlebrushes a few weeks ago and now is the right time. He said to cut back hard and then tip prune any branches that get out of line as they flower on new growth. Sorry I couldn't find the post.

This might be the one:

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=2641

and also this pruning refresher:

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=6600

Ed and Ron, thanks for the pointers, I will lop it off close to the ground later today.

I've been growing a few C. seiberi for a few years. I find it does not matter what time of year I prune - they shoot back very well from dormant buds. so well i am continually rubbing off unwanted shoots. Pup's timing is, I believe, related to getting flowers on the bonsai rather than stimulating new growing buds.

shibui wrote:I've been growing a few C. seiberi for a few years. I find it does not matter what time of year I prune - they shoot back very well from dormant buds. so well i am continually rubbing off unwanted shoots. Pup's timing is, I believe, related to getting flowers on the bonsai rather than stimulating new growing buds.

Spot on shibui. I am with you on pruning for shape and growth. I would let the tree get bigger though unless you are aiming for a Shohin.

Cheers Pup

Hi Pup, I take it that you had a squiz at the pictures. At present the trunk is only about 15mm across so it is still a stick in a pot. I don't really want it to be a shohin but I will let the tree decide that one.
Luckily I did not lop it today, I was eying it off but it started to pour so I went back inside.
Can I touch the roots at this time of the year? I would at least like to place it into a larger pot size to fatten it up for this Christmas.

Hi Pup, I take it that you had a squiz at the pictures. At present the trunk is only about 15mm across so it is still a stick in a pot. I don't really want it to be a shohin but I will let the tree decide that one.
Luckily I did not lop it today, I was eying it off but it started to pour so I went back inside.
Can I touch the roots at this time of the year? I would at least like to place it into a larger pot size to fatten it up for this Christmas.

Damian, yes I did have a squiz at it. Were this mine and bearing in mind you do not want a Shohin. If you have the room and right conditions put it in the ground. They are fast growers if you water and fertilize regularly.

Just treat as you want to shape it and keep it growing, Put a plate or slab under the roots so they spread out and do not go down.Or you can put it in a BIG pot.

Cheers Pup

I do have the space but a 450mm pot will do the job for now due to the fact that I have not finished the growing beds
I have done similar with a Leptospermum continentale with some promising results.
Back on this one at the other end of this year.
Thanks for your advice.