Wow, nice trees! Clearly I gotta try more Aussie species. They sell some tea trees here, but I've heard they're finicky about rootwork like rosemary and that has dissuaded me from trying. But Sheoak has me very intrigued now.
A few Australian Natives...
- Thread starter Ryceman3
- Start date
Ryceman3
Shohin
There’s a heap of different varieties of tea tree around, both endemic to NZ and Australia, so I think there are some that are quite sensitive to root work, but not all. I have had good success with Leptospermum Continentale and Leptospermum Laevigatum (both kinds of tea tree), but I hear Leptospermum Scoparium for example can be a bit more “precious” when it comes to root work. Sheoak in general seems to be fundamentally good when it comes to working the roots, but again there are plenty of kinds around so maybe it depends, I haven’t experienced any issues. I say give them a shot if you come across them.
Good to know, thanks! Most of the teas sold around here are scoparium, but I just checked my local nursery's availability list they do have laevigatum listed. I'll keep an eye out for them the next time I'm there.There’s a heap of different varieties of tea tree around, both endemic to NZ and Australia, so I think there are some that are quite sensitive to root work, but not all. I have had good success with Leptospermum Continentale and Leptospermum Laevigatum (both kinds of tea tree), but I hear Leptospermum Scoparium for example can be a bit more “precious” when it comes to root work. Sheoak in general seems to be fundamentally good when it comes to working the roots, but again there are plenty of kinds around so maybe it depends, I haven’t experienced any issues. I say give them a shot if you come across them.
Ryceman3
Shohin
A couple more sheoaks (also A. Littoralis) that I did a bit of work on today. I have been concentrating on trunk development for these so all are just WIP…
Ryceman3
Shohin
This Leptospermum got a new pot a couple of weeks ago. I let it recover and then re-wired and trimmed back today ... it's a fast grower this one, so although the pot is a little large it'll fill it out in no time.
Stella
Mame
these are so nice
Ryceman3
Shohin
Update on the Black Sheoak from post #1… about 8 months later.
Not bad development considering a lot of that time was during the colder months down here.
Not bad development considering a lot of that time was during the colder months down here.
Crazy Diamond
Omono
You have any Agonis flexuosa?
Ryceman3
Shohin
In short … no.
Not really recognised as having good bonsai potential, although I believe it has been trialled by some. I think the most significant hurdle is leaf size, with adult foliage extending to around 7 or 8 inches long.
Ryceman3
Shohin
Another Melaleuca Linariifolia I worked on today.
These are great for bonsai. Leaf size is small (and readily reduces), they will back bud on old/bare wood if cut back hard, reasonably flexible when wiring and they grow very fast in the right conditions meaning you don't quite need the patience required to develop some other species. The bark is also a highlight and this one is starting to get more pale and flaky as it matures which I think adds to their positive attributes.
I think this tree is only 5 or 6 years from seed, there are many other bonsai versions out there that are much older and look pretty fantastic.
These are great for bonsai. Leaf size is small (and readily reduces), they will back bud on old/bare wood if cut back hard, reasonably flexible when wiring and they grow very fast in the right conditions meaning you don't quite need the patience required to develop some other species. The bark is also a highlight and this one is starting to get more pale and flaky as it matures which I think adds to their positive attributes.
I think this tree is only 5 or 6 years from seed, there are many other bonsai versions out there that are much older and look pretty fantastic.
Ryceman3
Shohin
An update on post #10… going well.
Ryceman3
Shohin
… and another update for post #30, a lot can happen in a couple of months… will give this a repot in a month or so… it needs a proper pot.
Crazy Diamond
Omono
You have any Callitris?
Ryceman3
Shohin
Yep… seedlings.
Ryceman3
Shohin
A couple more progression shots for some of the Sheoaks from Post #24.
These were repotted about 6 weeks or so ago, left to recover then cut back and wired the primary/secondary branching. Looking for one more flush before winter.
These were repotted about 6 weeks or so ago, left to recover then cut back and wired the primary/secondary branching. Looking for one more flush before winter.
Ryceman3
Shohin
Update from Post #32… This tree got a pot a few weeks ago, it’s pretty happy it seems. Melaleuca aren’t too fussy generally!
Ryceman3
Shohin
Before and after on another species of Melaleuca… M. Ericifolia. Pretty happy with how this is developing… only really been working on it for the last 3 years or so.
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