Casuarina layering

[Jan]

I’ve been reading a lot of enthusiastic posts about casuarinas and am interested in giving some a go. I would like to make a start this growing season; is it possible to try layering some interesting branches at this time of year?

We have many plants of two distinct types casuarina growing on our property; a longer needled, smoother barked tree locally known as She-Oak and a shorter needled (less than half the she-oak), rough barked tree, locally known as Bull-Oak. Both are growing in granite soils - I use the term “soil” somewhat tongue-in-cheek as they grow on the rocky ridges where there is precious little soil! The Black Cockatoos with the red markings seem to favor the Bull-Oak seeds. I’ll get some images types of both and post them; hopefully someone will be able to identify them.

I am interested in the Bull-Oak as possible layering candidates; they have some wonderful contorted branches that are a real temptation.

I did collect a small She-Oak early this month. It was in a very exposed, bone dry spot and I didn’t know if it would survive there to be collected next spring. It has reasonable roots and is surviving the transplant to a training pot well so far, but I will need to build a shorter root system next spring. For the moment I’m just letting it adjust to its new home. Here’s an image of the plant as I found it.

2010-01-06_Casuarina.jpg

Jan.

[Greth]

Lovely find, sounds like you have bonsai starter heaven there!

[Jan]

Yes, Greth, good thing too as I’m a bit of a bonsai “finisher”, if you know what I mean. Lots of potential native material for collection or layering; even a few wild elms and a fig (fruiting type) that came with the first settlers; I’ve propagated one from the original for our orchard – very tasty jam! To see the place dry as chips now you’d wonder how the first settlers on our river junction ran a dairy farm.

Usual story, interesting material, so little time – always the way when you live where you work. Most of my potensai (wouldn’t presume to call them bonsai) have survived me so far. AusBonsai has been a great find, such great info - I’m infected with the enthusiasm – so much to learn and try.

Jan