Pruning Bottlebrush

[Pup]

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I thought that while I was pruning my bottle-brush I would share some of my technique's. I do this after flowering never letting the seed set.
As you can see it is hard.
The one thing about Calistemons is they are like most trees Apical dominant. So watch the top it can get away in acouple of seasons. I
f you notice the pic at the top I have just pruned out another one that was getting too big. I have also included a shot of the one I took as a cutting 3years ago. It was 25mms . When you wire you do have to watch as they are rampent growers.One thing to watch for is growth that has more than one terminal.
All the books say you must take out the middle one!!! I watch where I want new growth to go then make the choice. Always leave a leaf or bud where you cut back, the plant needs a reason to keep pumping sap to that point. Here are the before and after pics

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[Steven]

Thanks for sharing Pup.
Do you have any pictures of this Callistemon in flower to share with us? I expect it would have been looking very special a few weeks ago!
Cheers,
S.

[Pup]

Thanks for sharing Pup.
Do you have any pictures of this Callistemon in flower to share with us? I expect it would have been looking very special a few weeks ago!
Cheers,
S.

I do some where it might be in a different pot. I did not take any this season. I have one of the one in Canberra which I have been told is starting to flower so should be on show soon. I will now go and try to find them. Pup

[Pup]

Here they are Steven as I said they have past there peak. There is another one of the one in the NBPCA

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[aaron_tas]

i know that they will be rotating the trees for the seasons, but i didn't see it at the opening.
i hope it was displayed for the flowers!
were you there??

[Pup]

i know that they will be rotating the trees for the seasons, but i didn't see it at the opening.
i hope it was displayed for the flowers!
were you there??

Yes Aaron Mrs Pup and I were there. The bottlebrush was out the back my Rhaphiophylla the single trunk was on display at the opening.

[aaron_tas]

2 trees, well done!!
i have the african olive penjing in there, first on the right as you walk in.

[ketutg]

That little junior tree is great!
I have a question, what species of Calistemon is best for bonsai?
Is the captain cook species the way to go?

Ketut

[Pup]

That little junior tree is great!
I have a question, what species of Calistemon is best for bonsai?
Is the captain cook species the way to go?

Ketut

Ketut I have used only that one however friends of mine have used others successfully. In fact a friend of mine had a beauty for sale but I was away at the time missed it. Although another friend of mine bought it. So I will see it either deteriorate or bloom . I do have a picture of it somewhere Iwill post it. Pup

[ketutg]

Thanks pup. Very intersting.
I'm pretty keen on growing a calistemon bonsai and may experiment with a species never tried before in the spirit of developing australian bonsai.

I found this page when browsing the webhttp://cgi.ebay.com.au/20-BOTTLEBRUSH-P ... 240%3A1318
They have many varieties of calistemon available.

[Pup]

Just going though the site and re reading. I said I would post the tree I missed out on. The guy that bought is thinking of going back to Queensland.
I must of upset him
I might still have a chance to own it. I am definitely not adverse to buying good stock or tree's. I know what he paid for it so I will know if it has improved
or not he also has some nice collected stock. I don't want him to go he is a nice guy for a banana bender!!
here's the pic for I get myself in it again Pup

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[Jon Chown]

Not bad eh!!

Very powerful base Pup, not 100% on the top of the trunk though still wouldn't kick it out of b....ench.

Jon

[banksia]

he also has some nice collected stock

He certainly does.... in particular that Olive that he brought to the last meeting of '08.
Sorry to hear he maybe going East......I sense a biddding war!

[Pup]

I see we might have the same thoughts there Frank. I am not interested in the olive, it was the pick of the ones that were lifted that day.
How ya been I see you have been lurking.
Happy new year see ya at the end of the month!! Pup

[Steven]

I like this Callistemon Pup. Strong and graceful. The nebari looks excellent and the taper is perfect for the tree. The wounds from branch removal need some work but I'm sure you will be able to carve and refine these once it is part of your collection
S.