CJR rainbow eucalyptus

[Cajunrider]

I am not interested in another species. I still have 2 more rainbow eucalyptus from recent air layers.

 

[Cajunrider]

I am not interested in another species. I still have 2 more rainbow eucalyptus from recent air layers.

Air layers

 

[19Mateo83]

Have you tried and other eucalyptus? I had 4-5 other species started but dumped them because they were still small and it was one less thing to pack when we moved. I'm thinking to start again when I'm more settled in.

I still have a large supply of rainbow seeds. $6 got me a functionally unlimited supply the dang things are so small! I've started some every year for the past 3 and their germination rates haven't seemed to fall off yet.

Where did you get your seeds? The rainbow eucalyptus has always fascinated me.

 

[Cajunrider]

Where did you get your seeds? The rainbow eucalyptus has always fascinated me.

Bought it on line years ago. Dince then it was all air layers.

 

[Cajunrider]

No wilting in last 2 days. It will be back out in full sun next weekend.

 

[Cajunrider]

I am in a chopping mood this morning. Both air layers were chopped.

 

[Cajunrider]

After the big move to the flat, major root prune, and changed to fast draining soil, the leaves were wilting a bit. Apparently the tree doest yet have enough fine feeder roots to draw moisture from the soil. I wind up setting the flat on top of a tub of moist potting soil to help the tree recover. After just one night, it looks better this morning. We will see how it handles the day time heat.

 

[Cajunrider]

Eye on the goal. Unfortunately the picture was taken on a dry day. These trunks will be a lot more colorful when wet. These are approximately 150 ft tall.

 

[Cajunrider]

Apparently this tree wants a soil with a bit more organic. The tree is not thriving the way it did when in the grow box. The leaves are dry and wilt a little. Repotting may kill it so I added a 3/4" layer of 1/4" pine nuggets on top to help the soil retain the moisture. It looks better this morning. I hope this works.
Next year, I will repot it with 35% organic. Current soil only has 20%. That's too little I think.

 

[Cajunrider]

Apparently this tree wants a soil with a bit more organic. The tree is not thriving the way it did when in the grow box. The leaves are dry and wilt a little. Repotting may kill it so I added a 3/4" layer of 1/4" pine nuggets on top to help the soil retain the moisture. It looks better this morning. I hope this works.
Next year, I will repot it with 35% organic. Current soil only has 20%. That's too little I think.

The layers of pine bark help. The tree is finally recovering. The new leaves forming are much smaller now ++++

 

[Cajunrider]

The big RE is back out to full sun but will remain under the mulch layer for root protection. The split trunk treatment holds well. There is no reverse taper. The trunk healing will be watched carefully.


After the chop, the big air layer just budded at the right spot. In a month, the big branch will be removed and the bud will be the new leader.

 

[Cajunrider]

The main tree has recovered well after sandwiching the pot in pine bark.


The newest air layer with new leader.


The older layer is growing so well after the big chop.


I have learned to always eliminate one branch at every internode to prevent reverse taper.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Looks good!

1. I love your pine bark in a bigger box idea.
2. Where did you get those air layer capsules???

 

[Cajunrider]

Looks good!

1. I love your pine bark in a bigger box idea.
2. Where did you get those air layer capsules???

Those air layer pods are from Amazon.

 

[Cajunrider]

The apex of the big tree has been cut back to promote growth on the branches below.
Before


After

 

[Cajunrider]

Super healthy air layer. I am going the slow route with this one. There will be no major chop.

 

[Cajunrider]

The apex of big tree grew 3 ft despite the cutback in the summer. It will be chopped short below the reverse taper knuckle as soon as I see buds in the branches down below that had been cut back earlier. I will prune the apex aggressively this summer to force the growth in the branches. The plan is to top the height of this bonsai 4” above this last major chop.

The trunk is now about 2”. The nebari is so so. I am also planning to carve the trunk this summer.

 

[Cajunrider]

The apex of big tree grew 3 ft despite the cutback in the summer. It will be chopped short below the reverse taper knuckle as soon as I see buds in the branches down below that had been cut back earlier. I will prune the apex aggressively this summer to force the growth in the branches. The plan is to top the height of this bonsai 4” above this last major chop.

The trunk is now about 2”. The nebari is so so. I am also planning to carve the trunk this summer.
View attachment 467587
View attachment 467588
View attachment 467589

Chopped at 14” tall. The goal is 18”- 20” height

 

[OTown]

Are you getting back budding on the lower branches? FYI...I've got three rainbow eucalyptus myself but I'm a few years behind you in development. Thanks for the thread!

 

[Cajunrider]

Are you getting back budding on the lower branches? FYI...I've got three rainbow eucalyptus myself but I'm a few years behind you in development. Thanks for the thread!

If the branch is big enough yes. On smaller branches sometimes the tree just drops the branch and form a new one.