New Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

[Srt8madness]

I believe this is a narrow leaf variety, need to recheck the tag.

I couldn't pass up the trunk, pictures don't do it justice (at least not yet). It's possible it was two fused into one, but on one side it looks like a single trunk.

@Shibui @Ryceman3 calling for some Aussie help, as I know this is a native to down under. They typically grow great here in Houston.

This tree is severely rootbound, as evidenced by surface roots and a million circling roots.

I know repotting these during the summer is acceptable; while I killed a couple in the past doing that, we can chalk that up to inexperience.

So how much of that rootmass would YOU remove? What would you put it in after? I've been using a lot of coir and perlite lately, maybe lop the bottom half off and do a half bare root?

Thanks in advance for any tidbits of advice.

 

[Shibui]

Callistemon species seem to vary in hardiness but this one appears to have relatively broad leaves and those are usually more hardy. Interested to see what species and/or cultivar you have.

I'd remove up to 80% of root mass on most younger Callistemon. This one is a bit bigger and older but should still be OK with 50% reduction, especially with all those feeder roots. I would not bother with HBR but if that makes you feel better it won't hurt either.
Callistemon can be root pruned any time of year in frost free areas but seem to do better when repotted in warm months in cooler climes. Anywhere from mid spring through to early autumn is usually OK.
Callistemon should adapt to any potting soil mix. Most can cope with wet roots so if the mix is on the dry side you can sit the pot in a water tray. I've had some thriving, sitting in 1" of water full time for over 2 years now.

 

[Srt8madness]

Thank you so much for the reply!! The tag just says "slim", which seems to be a patented cultivar, but there is no marketing or company i.d. on it. That said, I got it from the local chain of garden centers so I doubt they would fraudulently sell a named cultivar.

 

[Shibui]

'Slim' is a registered, trade marked cultivar of Callistemon viminalis (Weeping bottle brush) so one of the hardier species. Slim has been selected for it's tall, narrow growth habit so it may fight you a little when you try to train branches outward.
Regular C. viminalis will take almost anything so I assume 'Slim' will be similar.

 

[Potawatomi13]

I believe this is a narrow leaf variety, need to recheck the tag.

I couldn't pass up the trunk, pictures don't do it justice (at least not yet). It's possible it was two fused into one, but on one side it looks like a single trunk.

@Shibui @Ryceman3 calling for some Aussie help, as I know this is a native to down under. They typically grow great here in Houston.

This tree is severely rootbound, as evidenced by surface roots and a million circling roots.

I know repotting these during the summer is acceptable; while I killed a couple in the past doing that, we can chalk that up to inexperience.

So how much of that rootmass would YOU remove? What would you put it in after? I've been using a lot of coir and perlite lately, maybe lop the bottom half off and do a half bare root?

Thanks in advance for any tidbits of advice.

Wisdom would say find actual top of root crown before whacking off bottom end

 

[Srt8madness]

Here goes...

 

[DaveZ]

Your tree probably won't even bat an eyelid at that, just keep the water up to it and it should recover in no time. I've dug Callistemons locally, Possibly even C viminallis, and brought them home with almost no roots at all. A nice semi shaded spot and plenty of water and they've bounced back pretty well. We breed em petty tough down here.

 

[Ryceman3]

Sorry I'm a little late to the party but as has been stated I think you'll be fine with the root reduction you did as above.
I generally do repotting/root work about 2/3 of the way through spring or as summer transitions to autumn on my local natives. I know plenty have decent results in the conventional window (as spring begins) but I have lots of other trees to do then, so I like to spread the load. All my Aussie natives don't seem to mind. Again, as has already been noted they like a drink so keep the water up to them and things should bounce back pretty quickly. I would defer to the expertise of Shibui/others though over myself with callistemon. I only have one and there are plenty of varieties so I'm not exactly well rounded on the subject.
The trunk has a bit of interest, I look forward to seeing it develop. Nice to see the Aussie natives are infiltrating the bonsai scene up north!
Good luck with it!

 

[Srt8madness]

Sorry I'm a little late to the party but as has been stated I think you'll be fine with the root reduction you did as above.
I generally do repotting/root work about 2/3 of the way through spring or as summer transitions to autumn on my local natives. I know plenty have decent results in the conventional window (as spring begins) but I have lots of other trees to do then, so I like to spread the load. All my Aussie natives don't seem to mind. Again, as has already been noted they like a drink so keep the water up to them and things should bounce back pretty quickly. I would defer to the expertise of Shibui/others though over myself with callistemon. I only have one and there are plenty of varieties so I'm not exactly well rounded on the subject.
The trunk has a bit of interest, I look forward to seeing it develop. Nice to see the Aussie natives are infiltrating the bonsai scene up north!
Good luck with it!

Awesome, thanks for taking the time!

Bottlebrush grow great here in Houston, my parents had some get killed to the roots by a major freeze, and they came right back up the next year.

 

[Srt8madness]

Bit of an update here, tree is growing strong and rooting into the new medium. You can see the core of soil I left, I think I'll completely remove this next spring and put into the long term soil (likely a pumice/bark mix). I had it set on the ground, roots shooting out the drain holes, happy happy. Really appreciative of the advice!

 

[Srt8madness]

Still going strong, a lot of soil has washed off the top. I'll remove the remaining nursery soil in Spring '25 and likely do some initial structural pruning in fall '25. I can see this tree becoming something nice within 5 years.

 

[Shibui]

Lots of Callistemon species are great candidates for bonsai. They tolerate heavy root reduction at the appropriate time of year and back bud like crazy after pruning. Fast growing and quite hardy. Great bark on most species and, if you prune correctly, flowers too.
Great to see another Aussie doing well abroad.