AusBonsai

Gday folks!

Looking back through my threads here, I find that many are simply re-runs of my bonsaiTALK posts, so I thought that I might post something here which has not been seen before on any Bonsai Forum. Please find attached some photos of my She-Oak Tanuki (Allocasuarina littoralis, from memory). The deadwood comes from a collected Arbutus that I killed a few years back, and the living stock was an overpotted seedling that cost me about $4 at Bunnings. I believe that I first threw this together about 6 months ago.
The tree had not been growing as well as it should have, especially in comparison to the other She-Oaks I have in captivity, so I recently decided that it was time to get in and see what was happening beneath the soil. The few roots were moderately healthy, but it would appear that I was a little too stringent in my quest for a well-drained soil: the mix must have been close to 99% coarse sand and gravel... In these photos you can see the epoxy resin base that I created for the deadwood: at some point, I may find it necessary to remove the base if I wish to change the planting angle or potting depth.
I decided to place the trunk into a larger training pot, and repotted with a mix of garvel/sand and shredded sphagnum at a ratio of about 4:1. Looking at it now, I reckon a change of angle is in order, but I will see what the next year's growth brings.
Stay tuned for further updates.

Thanks.

Fly.

Very interesting post Mr Fly!
Have you used any wood preservative on the deadwood and do you have a vision for how you would like it to be in a few years?
Regards,
Steven

The way the dead wood is resined is very clever. And then screwing the live tree into the wood

Very cool technique. Gives me lots of ideas.... thanks!

cheers
mike

Ever thought of doing a normal tree Fly?
You Remind me of the better homes and garden workshop. I love watching your projects but even though I say I will I am lucky to do 1 of them
I am looking forward to browsing your bench one day.

AusBonsai wrote:Have you used any wood preservative on the deadwood...

Gday Steven!

From memory, I gave it a lick of lime sulphur at some point in the past (well before this latest treeling was attached). The wood of the Arbutus is as hard as a rock, and in the few years it has been in and out of soil, I've noticed no rot whatsoever.

AusBonsai wrote:...and do you have a vision for how you would like it to be in a few years?

I think this one, like many of the projects I've started here, will be a case of the growth of the tree affecting further styling. At some point, I will almost certainly need to get in and carve away some of the deadwood to get rid of some of the 'youthful' curves.

Schmik -> I think you'll find when performing a Phoenix Graft ('Tanuki') that the screws are absolutely necessary in most cases. I had initially experimented with simply placing a seedling into the C-shaped groove, but found more often than not that once the trunk became thick enough, it would just tend to pop out, especially when using species which grow thick or shedding bark. Eventually, I will remove the washers and then put the screws back into place, so that the tree will need to 'heal' over a more limited area when it envelops the screw head.

soltan wrote:Ever thought of doing a normal tree Fly?

Whaddaya mean Brettles? I've got tonnes of normal trees: out on the nature strip, along the fence, overhanging the deck, and one that drops leaves (and bird crap) all over the washing line.

Thanks all!

Fly.

very nice fly

That is looking great Fly!
I might give this a shot myself (got a whole bunch of Cassas lying around, might as well play with em)

Any problematic .. um... problems to watch out for whilst creating tanuki? (other than ones covered earlier in this thread)

Any update on what the tree looks like now?

AGarcia wrote:Any update on what the tree looks like now?

Gday Mr Garcia!

Sorry that I have let this one slip by the wayside... Over the past 2 (wet) weekends, I have been doing some carving on the "deadwood". I might whack a bit of lime sulfur on tonight and hope for drier weather over the next week...
Next weekend I'll try to repot into some better soil.

Thanks!

Fly.

Your carving is really nice and natural looking Brian! I love the way you have made it appear to twist and weather. The burnishing has been used to good effect also mate.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Regards,
Steven

Steven wrote:I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Gday Mr Steven!

Here it is, complete with some very average photography!

Enjoy!
Fly.

Where does one aquire lime sulphur? I have a piece of driftwood I would like to try this technique with, and I am sure it will need to be treated. I have been told to soak it in water for a few weeks to get rid of any salt.

Glenda

Glenda wrote:Where does one aquire lime sulphur? I have a piece of driftwood I would like to try this technique with, and I am sure it will need to be treated. I have been told to soak it in water for a few weeks to get rid of any salt.

Glenda

The big B sell it so do most nurseries and Hardware stores. Yates is usually in a yellow bottle pack when using for preserving use at full strength, when using as a fungicide or insecticide, use at the manufacturers recommendations.

Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:

Glenda wrote:Where does one aquire lime sulphur? I have a piece of driftwood I would like to try this technique with, and I am sure it will need to be treated. I have been told to soak it in water for a few weeks to get rid of any salt.

Glenda

The big B sell it so do most nurseries and Hardware stores. Yates is usually in a yellow bottle pack when using for preserving use at full strength, when using as a fungicide or insecticide, use at the manufacturers recommendations.

Cheers Pup

Thanks Pup. You are always most helpful.

Glenda

Nice styling mate!

Dad pointed out a she-oak next door, me thinks i might pay them a visit ^_^