[lackhand] [Dead] Leptospermum scoparium 'Jubilee'

[lackhand]

Knowing fully the difficulty I face in even thinking about making bonsai out of this species, I am entering two as I just can't help myself. They are so damn beautiful, and these two were affordable too. Given the finicky roots, these will probably be in a large pot at the end of the competition too. I'm guessing it will take years to get them into a suitable bonsai pot, but in my opinion, it's worth it.

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• Species name: Leptospermum scoparium 'Jubilee'
• Original height of stock: 52 cm
• Where you obtained it from: Lowe's (big box home improvement store)
• Cost of stock: $11.67 USD

No seeds on this one, but I will be taking some cuttings after April when work begins. With any luck I'll end up with a good handful of these to play with.

[lackhand]

Before we get started, here's one more shot of the beautiful flowers. Won't be seeing these for a while.

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As mentioned in the thread for my other L. scoparium, I initially suspected it to be the better tree. In fact, I only bought this one because I like the deeper red color of the flowers and darker foliage better. But I was wrong. Hiding inside the shrub was a trunk with some decent movement and relatively good branch placement. After cleaning out and chopping back the tall growth that wasn't needed, I think this tree has a pretty bright future. The big question now is two trunks or one?

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Right now I feel like the secondary trunk is too big and doesn't have enough complementary movement to really work as a twin trunk, but since it's easier to cut it off later than to put it back on, I left it for now. It may make the decision for me as there is only a tiny bit of leaf left on it, and these are not good at back budding at all. I would have had to leave it about 10 cm longer to get much more foliage on it, so I figured either it would live with a little or go since there is no way it works with a long bare section like that.

At any rate, this tree was a fun surprise. I was expecting a boring tree with pretty flowers, but this has lots of interesting movement. I'm excited to see how this one develops.

[Neli]

I love the second trunk in the before last picture. Dont chop it for now, You can do that later and use it as sacrifice branch meanwhile. But for me it gives the illusion of tapper and if you remove it... ???? Make a virtual removal and see how it looks like.
I have killed all the Leptos I bought up to date and gave up. I believe they like acid soil and my water has GH of 180 and KH of 120.
You migt think of cutting the second trunk a bit lower when it back buds, and the top too.
No tapper at all and not much hope for developing any during the competition. It is a slow plant.
So design it in such a manner so that the design accounts for the absence of tapper.

[Rory]

[quote="lackhand"]Before we get started, here's one more shot of the beautiful flowers. Won't be seeing these for a while.
/quote]

Wow, this species has stunning flowers. You have inspired me to try my hand at one of these. Very very nice. As far as advice on the tree, I would say that would put too much strain on my brain to think of how to tackle that tree. It is quite difficult to envisage the tree as yet, sorry, but good luck. Those flowers.... go stunning with the beautiful bark and foliage of a leptospermum.

[kcpoole]

I would wait till it back buds on that second trunk and then shorten it by 1/2.
it is too high for a twin trunk anyway

Ken

[Neli]

I would wait till it back buds on that second trunk and then shorten it by 1/2.
it is too high for a twin trunk anyway

Ken

Good! You said the same thing! I am improving! Youppy!

[lackhand]

Wow, this species has stunning flowers. You have inspired me to try my hand at one of these. Very very nice. As far as advice on the tree, I would say that would put too much strain on my brain to think of how to tackle that tree. It is quite difficult to envisage the tree as yet, sorry, but good luck. Those flowers.... go stunning with the beautiful bark and foliage of a leptospermum.

The flowers, small leaves, and flaky bark are what hooked me about these. They are absolutely beautiful little trees. Just be aware that they are notoriously finicky, and sometimes die for no reason. Considered by many to be the ultimate forbidden bonsai. I just can't resist because they're so beautiful. Hopefully I can keep these alive.

I would wait till it back buds on that second trunk and then shorten it by 1/2.
it is too high for a twin trunk anyway

Ken

According to all sources I can find, this lepto is the exception. Most back bud pretty well, this one does not. I might just take that off. It's way too thick to just be a branch, so it's either a second trunk or a scar waiting to be made. Sooner it's gone, sooner it heals.

EDIT: It's gone. After looking at it again this morning I removed it. I was hesitant yesterday just because it had such visual weight I thought it might be usable. But it really just doesn't fit in with the rest of the tree, so away it went and hopefully it will heal quickly.

[Rory]

Considered by many to be the ultimate forbidden bonsai.

Haha, that sounds funny, very funny. I envisage you walking out at a bonsai show with this, and everyone just gasps in horror, scolding you, and leaving in disgust. Anyway....Yes, I can definitely see why you have taken the challenge. Keep up progress pics please, I'd love to see them. My wife is away today, so I'm heading to a local nursery to browse for stock, so I'll keep an eye open for this one. My 4 year old son always tells me he wants me to grow bonsai with flowers, as this is his favourite part of the whole bonsai theme.

[lackhand]

Considered by many to be the ultimate forbidden bonsai.

Haha, that sounds funny, very funny. I envisage you walking out at a bonsai show with this, and everyone just gasps in horror, scolding you, and leaving in disgust. Anyway....Yes, I can definitely see why you have taken the challenge. Keep up progress pics please, I'd love to see them. My wife is away today, so I'm heading to a local nursery to browse for stock, so I'll keep an eye open for this one. My 4 year old son always tells me he wants me to grow bonsai with flowers, as this is his favourite part of the whole bonsai theme.

I think it would be more like - You have one of those that's still ALIVE?!?!?!?!

My daughters are a big part of the reason for the flowering bonsai. Anything I can do to encourage their interest is a good thing. Good luck on your search and I hope you have success both finding and growing one. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of their reputation before getting started. Hasn't scared me off! Plus, if more people try to make them grow, maybe we can figure out better ways to work with them.

[lackhand]

So speaking of forbidden bonsai . . . it's dead. I've done a bit more research, and I really don't think these are a good fit for my climate. I have a few I'll keep working at, but one is already looking sad so we'll see. And I didn't even touch the roots!

[Rory]

Bummer... They really are beautiful. I never found one either. So I just bought some various lepto varieties instead, they are a finicky lot, I've had them over the years (different varieties), and after heavy pruning, some just die for no other apparent obvious reason, and others of the same species seem to prosper and soldier on after heavy cut backs. My son loves the lemon frost, because of the smell. He keeps crunching the growth and smelling it.... lol It is hard to get annoyed, because the whole idea is to get him interested in them. He just loves the flowers on any bonsai too.

Oh well, definitely post again if you try your hand at the other pink flowering leptospermum.

[Neli]

So speaking of forbidden bonsai . . . it's dead. I've done a bit more research, and I really don't think these are a good fit for my climate. I have a few I'll keep working at, but one is already looking sad so we'll see. And I didn't even touch the roots!

Karl, they are just difficult plants. I had so far...2-3 trees for the competition dead...after I posted the update pictures...Have no idea why. Never touched the roots.maybe over watered.