Next step for this Tea Tree

[Steven]

G'day Grant,

Despite the shaggy shoots, it is looking really nice and has filled in beautifully. The shorter left hand branch or trunk works really well as does the broader apex.

I'm not certain if the new pot is an improvement though. I personally preferred the old one even if it was a bit small. I think the new one is too small also. I know it can be really hard (not to mention expensive) to get nice pots that size.
Just a thought on the position in the pot, seeing how the movement is towards the left, how do you think it would look potted on the right?

Regards,
Steven

[Grant Bowie]

G'day Grant,

Despite the shaggy shoots, it is looking really nice and has filled in beautifully. The shorter left hand branch or trunk works really well as does the broader apex.

I'm not certain if the new pot is an improvement though. I personally preferred the old one even if it was a bit small. I think the new one is too small also. I know it can be really hard (not to mention expensive) to get nice pots that size.
Just a thought on the position in the pot, seeing how the movement is towards the left, how do you think it would look potted on the right?

Regards,
Steven

Hi Steven,

Yes still looking for the perfect pot; may have to get Pat to do a larger size.

Still like the tree where it is position wise though.

Cheers,

grant

[Grant Bowie]

I took a big(ish) risk with this tree in April and did a very hard trim back to force new growth as far back as I could.

Here is a recent pic.

Very hard cut back April 2013.JPG

As you can see the tree is budding back well on quite decent older wood, both where leaves are still attached and also not still attached. wood maybe up to 4 years old or so.

After hard cut back April 2013 (1).JPG

After hard cut back April 2013 (2).JPG

After hard cut back April 2013 (3).JPG

After hard cut back April 2013 (4).JPG

Grant

[MattA]

Some really nice back budding happening Grant

I am curious why you consider this hard prune a big(ish) risk to take? (trying to understand my fave species better)

[Grant Bowie]

Some really nice back budding happening Grant

I am curious why you consider this hard prune a big(ish) risk to take? (trying to understand my fave species better)

Late in the season (we are in Canberra remember) and just before a national show.

Grant

[MattA]

Which do you feel more salient?

I had thought climate may be part of the equation, in my own autumn is a great time for hard pruning. I have also done so during mid winter (prob the equiv of your mid autumn temp wise) & while regrowth was slower to get going, budding wasnt diminished by the timing.

Have just reread the thread & now I am intrigued by your comment 'it might grow all year round if fertilised'.. could you elaborate please?

[Grant Bowie]

New pot for the tree, also a Steve Cummins pot.

The tree has been growing actively right through winter after the late autumn prune. Needs a tidy up trim now.

IMG_5492.JPG

Grant

[GavinG]

Keeping the canopy light and open certainly focusses attention on that wonderful trunk. I cut back a L. "Pink Cascade" later in autumn and had no back-budding at all, so it seems it may be very specific.

Gavin

[Grant Bowie]

Update

Leptospermum laevigatum 1.jpg

[Matthew]

That pot is something Grant. Me like alot

[Pup]

Very nice indeed Grant both pot and tree.

Cheers Pup

[Isitangus]

Fantastic composition, it's one of those trees that makes me want to keep looking

[bodhidharma]

Yes, Too all of the above Grant A great composition.

[Shane]

Grant, lovely tree. And I also feel your excitement, which comes through in your photos and posts, from seeing this tree in a progression of different pots and on different stands each time. Cheers Shane

Bonsai was meant to keep me away from the computer. So I got a smart phone to take out to my benches.

[Grant Bowie]

That pot is something Grant. Me like alot

I like the pot as well, i got a few from the same maker.

grant