AusBonsai

I decided to take a large $15 nursery challenge as I have no real established Melaleucas other than starters. I purchased this Melaleuca in April 2013, this year for $15.00 It was sitting amongst others, but all his friends were just straight up and down pole trunks, and this really caught my eye. I cut its head off the day I took it home and it has now produced buds and shoots in all the right places, and I've taken off the unwanted ones. I am looking forward to seeing how this fat guy develops. Unfortunately it did not come with a tag, so I do not know what type of Melaleuca it is, but its leaves are thin and needle-like.

Before the cut (April 2013):



After the cut (August 2013, today):

Lover paperbarks think this could turn out really nice! Look forward to seeing where you take it

It might be a Melaleuca rhaphiophylla, but am not 100% sure sorry

Great base
Keep us postted on its progress

Jason wrote:Lover paperbarks think this could turn out really nice! Look forward to seeing where you take it

It might be a Melaleuca rhaphiophylla, but am not 100% sure sorry

Thanks for that. Looking at the images of the foliage on google, you might be right. Being a novice plant identifier myself, I don't know how many other mels have this type of foliage, but thanks for that.

klaery wrote:Great base
Keep us postted on its progress

Cheers mate. I am excited about this one, as it seems to naturally know where I want to take it, and is helping me.

Nice find.
You will find that is a Melaluka Nodosa. Common name is Prickly leaf Paperbark. Make sure you use phosphrus free fert.
I have one about the same size and it is looking good with good growth. (At the moment)
If you use wire on it don't wrap it very tight because of the soft bark and watch it closely for any signs of marking. Guy wiring is better with soft packing at the branch.
They like plenty of water so mine sits in shallow plastic food tray with 1/2 inch of water in it permanantly.
Shall post a pic if you like.

Alan Peck wrote:Nice find.
You will find that is a Melaluka Nodosa. Common name is Prickly leaf Paperbark.

Thankyou for that clarification

Melaleuca rhaphiophylla has a hollow needle, this one does resemble this species.
As for Phosphates I have used fertilisers that have an NPK rating of 14. 4.4. 28 with no Problems even on the Proteaceae family.

Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:Melaleuca rhaphiophylla has a hollow needle, this one does resemble this species.
As for Phosphates I have used fertilisers that have an NPK rating of 14. 4.4. 28 with no Problems even on the Proteaceae family.

Cheers Pup

What brand is that, Pup? or can you mix it yourself … Is there a brand/ type fertiliser that is recommended by the more experienced of this group?

Cheers
EZ

Hi Rory,

Looks like the links have unfortunately broken to the original photos.

Any chance of posting them again aswell as an update? I love seeing the changes in a trees progression

Cheers,
Pearcy.

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Sorry Pearcy,

This was killed from a lack of sun and constantly being eaten by wallabies quite a while ago.

I think the only Mels that I have left now are luecadendra... and maybe still an armillaris. The rest were eaten, shaded or attacked by myrtle rust and I didn't get onto them quick enough.