Melaleuca Styphelioides

[strawbs]

I accuired this tree from a fellow AUS Bonsai member a few years ago, as it was 1 ov my first real natives ( only had figs before)
i really had no idea how to go about working on it. it sat in the samepot for the last few yrs and was just clipped to shape, after returning from holidays
it had lost all its leaves due to lack of water even with a water tray, (thanks to my brother ).
i thought all was lost but it reshot this yr and was repotted into its current PK pot and a bit of wire applied.

Mela styph 2010-02 1.jpg

IMG_0912.jpg

the top needs alot of work but im happy were it is now, just let it settle n see latter.
cheers
Strawbs

[bodhidharma]

I am glad somebody else is playing with this species. I have one i am working with and still consider myself a L plater with the tree. I repotted in January and it responded by withdrawing its sap . I have a whole bunch of dried out foliage but i think it will survive Could you give me a lowdown on your regime with this tree. I also think it will be difficult to get foliage refinement on this species. I would like to hear about any learning you have had with this tree. Nice tree and i will keep an eye on its progress

[strawbs]

exactly what happened with mine Bodhi, all leaves dried n dropped, but i think that was cuz of no water,will see how it goes after the repot this sucker luvs it water.
it is in my mix of equal parts mix of scoria, river sand n aus native mix(from a retailer) my figs luv it so id thought id give it a go.
but i must stress THEY LUV WATER and definietly need a water tray.
hope tis helps will get back to u with feeding etc.
cheers
Strawbs

[strawbs]

PUP ur always welcome to chime in i consider ur input invalueable .
strawbs

[Craig]

Strawbs, it's starting to come along nicely mate,
how long did it take to push out new shoots after dropping the leaves? cheers

[strawbs]

Gday Craig, probably took bout 2 to 3 weeks before it came back, i just kept the water up n a bit of feed.. like Busta i also use DL on this but by the hand full
it needs another good clip n a good feed, but we will see .
Bodhi,mate i treat em mean n keep em keen, im by no meens a expert but it seems to work, ill see how it goes in my mix but i just clip like a normal tree, as in a street tree, n let i go were it want to.
strawbs

[Pup]

G,day strawbs and co, I have not had the pleasure of working with this species other than styling one at a workshop. Where my advice was to treat as you would all swamp loving Melaleucas.

I have in the past said never give up on a Melaleuca, as they will respond to water and pruning when they have all their foliage dried up. I have a post here if some one wants to find it about a tree I call Houdini.

It did what yours did, 4 times. The big single one in the National Collection did the same once. After plenty of water and some Auxin's ( super thrive ) it powered away. I have had times when I have used Seasol, as I was out of Superthrive, any tonic even Barroca tablets, will help.

Our Moderator from the West has had a similar ( hope you don't mind) experience, here with a rather large collected one, not Styphelioides though rhaphiophylla, it has shown signs of growth after 4/5 months just sitting there.

I am still amazed at water trays mine, all of the ones that are above 300mm sit on the benches, the small ones sit on top of wet gravel.

I hope this is of some help.
Cheers Pup

[Craig]

Our Moderator from the West has had a similar ( hope you don't mind) experience, here with a rather large collected one, not Styphelioides though rhaphiophylla, it has shown signs of growth after 4/5 months just sitting there.

Pup, not rhaphiophylla, it's Preissiana,

[Pup]

Our Moderator from the West has had a similar ( hope you don't mind) experience, here with a rather large collected one, not Styphelioides though rhaphiophylla, it has shown signs of growth after 4/5 months just sitting there.

Pup, not rhaphiophylla, it's Preissiana,

CRAFT setting in

[strawbs]

update -
luvin the new pot and the DL in need of a trim

_MG_8088.jpg

[Pup]

update -
luvin the new pot and the DL in need of a trim

_MG_8088.jpg

G,day Strawbs as you now know, they are tenacious when it comes to survival, Melaleucas that is.

Your one, is one I would like on my bench. I will add were it mine the top would then be trained to the right and brought down a bit.

Keep up the good work.

Never give up on a Melaleuca.

Regards Pup

[strawbs]

thanks PUP

Your one, is one I would like on my bench.

u just made my arvo
i thought the same but in the second foto i had a 'oh bugger' moment and snaped the branch pointing straight up as i was bringing it to the right (notice the wire at the fork )
it has survived n will be tweeking it to the right over time. hopefully ready for next yrs Aust plants as bonsai
cheers
strawbs

[Ash]

Hey it looks great. Looks like it is thriving too. Ash

[strawbs]

quick update, has been going crazy the last few weeks and was in need of a trim.

IMG_1087.jpg

IMG_1098.jpg

sry for the crappy phone photos.

cheers
Strawbs

[kcpoole]

Lovely Tree strawbs.
I agree with Pup, that the top needs to mave to the right and I would shorten the top if you can as well.
Can you bend the top section or is too brittle?

Ken