Dwarf Melaleuca incana group on a stone slab

[ToddB]

Melaleuca incana_ 2.jpg

melaleuca incana.jpg

I've been attempting bonsai as a hobby for about 3 years. This is my first attempt at a group planting using an Australian native species. Still in the fairly early stages of training I'm afraid. Comments welcome

[cre8ivbonsai]

Looking good Todd love the flowers

How long has it been potted on the slab?

[ToddB]

Hi Ryan, and thanks for the comments. This group has been on the slab coming up for 2 years. My intent was to try and visually emulate one of the paperbark groups (M preissiana / M cuticularis) that are so common over here in the wetter areas along the coast. In hindsight I should have planted a few extra stems as I think the group looks a little 'thin' . In future I think I'll probably add a few more stems and eventually re-pot the whole thing onto a flatter oval tray.

[Watto]

I like it, don't give up on the slab. Maybe a bit of moss to hold it together better might improve it, but generally I think you are on the right track. Sometimes overcrowding is not the solution.

[Josh]

I love it. I have some melaleuca incana nana (dwarf). They are great to work with. Fantastic setting you have. Agree some fine moss in amongst it would really set it off. Love the slab too.

Josh.

[trident76]

Hi Todd.
This species with it's small flowers is very pretty. Nice material.
I would like to see the individual plants pruned such that they are able to be viewed as individual trees within a group.
The current photo shows the foliage as one mass rather than individually defined plants that are part of a larger group.

[ToddB]

Watto, Josh...thanks for the encouraging comments. Trident: I agree mate...that's the goal. I'm in the process of letting the tops grow out to get some thickness into the canopy structure.

I agree...great material.

[EdwardH]

Lookin' good
I look forward to seeing it mature

[ToddB]

Three months on and I've positioned the group on a larger slab.

The intention now is to let it fill out a little more, encourage a denser canopy with pruning, and then let it grow until it's roughly the same diameter as the slab. After that I'll start working on shaping each individual canopy to give the group the appearance of a mature grove of individual trees (as per Trident's suggestion).

I'll probably treat it to some moss over winter .

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